Tbilisi Mayor Says Taxi Fees Should Increase

The Mayor of Tbilisi, Kakha Kaladze says that taxi fees in the capital are very low and they should be higher.

“In the future, taxi service fee should also be increased. Today in Georgia it is very cheap to travel by taxi. It is much cheaper compared to other countries,” Kaladze said in his interview with Palitra TV.

The mayor added that City Hall does everything to improve public transport service in the country so that more people are willing to use it.

“This will give us the opportunity to be able to travel comfortably from one place to another. Also, the reform in this field is very important for the environment as well," he added.

Several days ago, Kaladze also said that in order to reduce traffic jams and air pollution in the capital, public transport should become the most popular and comfortable means of transportation in the city.

In his interview with TV Pirveli, Kaladze stated that around 500,000 cars drive in Tbilisi, and car imports increase 6-7% every year.

“50% of these cars are 20 years old or more. There is a serious problem in terms of the vehicle exhaust in Tbilisi,” he stressed.

Kaladze noted that there are some suburbs in Tbilisi public transport does not go and added this problem will be solved in 2019.

“We will have new buses in the capital, which are environment-friendly, clean, comfortable and fast. We want to make public transport the most popular means of movement in the city,” he added.

Earlier this month, the Mayor stated that at the end of 2019, the existing fleet of old buses will be completely replaced by new ones.

“In 2020, the Georgian capital can expect an additional 200 new electric buses,” he stated.

In the frames of the bus replacement program, a total of 750 buses will be purchased which will replace the old buses completely and increase the total number of buses by 200 units.

In addition, from the initiative of Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, from October 1, 2018, it is not allowed to work as a taxi driver without a special permit. Moreover, three-door vehicles, as well as right-hand-drive vehicles, will not be allowed to provide taxi service at all.

Moreover, from October 1, 2019, all taxis in the capital have to be white.