Улаанбаатар
International standard taxi service to be introduced in Ulaanbaatar
Society
Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ Ulaanbaatar city Governor's Council held its meeting on December 27 and discussed a project to introduce international standard taxi service in the city.
Ulaanbaatar City Governor S.Batbold’s action plan for 2016-2020 aims to make Ulaanbaatar a business, travel and cultural center of North East Asia. However, there are many problems to be solved before its realization, including quality, coverage and safety of cabs. The fact that around 20 thousand taxi-related crimes occurred over the past three years shows just how much work still needs to be done in this area. Thus, Governor has formed a working group responsible for preparation and implementation of international standard cab service.
Taxi service in Ulaanbaatar came to a halt in 1990s when privatization was underway, and resumed in 1993. 2003 saw the biggest number of cabs operating - 3960 vehicles (city population was 869,912 at that time) meaning 4 taxis per 1000 people. This was the only time the number reached the standard of developed countries. Since 2004, the number was on a steady decline, and now in 2017, only 539 vehicles from 12 companies are in service. This is 8-10 times less than the standard, not to mention outdated payment methods and service standards, underlined head of the working group D.Munkh-Erdene.
Currently, there are 28 taxi parking spaces in the capital, which is not enough for a city with 1.3 million people. Moreover, vehicles are on average 6.6 years old, calling for a formulation of a policy regarding safety and maintenance of transport. Media and Public relations department of the Governor’s Office reported that the working group is focusing on launching taxis equipped with GPS and smart payment systems. The new taxi service will be introduced beginning in 2018 and will create 500 jobs.
Ulaanbaatar City Governor S.Batbold’s action plan for 2016-2020 aims to make Ulaanbaatar a business, travel and cultural center of North East Asia. However, there are many problems to be solved before its realization, including quality, coverage and safety of cabs. The fact that around 20 thousand taxi-related crimes occurred over the past three years shows just how much work still needs to be done in this area. Thus, Governor has formed a working group responsible for preparation and implementation of international standard cab service.
Taxi service in Ulaanbaatar came to a halt in 1990s when privatization was underway, and resumed in 1993. 2003 saw the biggest number of cabs operating - 3960 vehicles (city population was 869,912 at that time) meaning 4 taxis per 1000 people. This was the only time the number reached the standard of developed countries. Since 2004, the number was on a steady decline, and now in 2017, only 539 vehicles from 12 companies are in service. This is 8-10 times less than the standard, not to mention outdated payment methods and service standards, underlined head of the working group D.Munkh-Erdene.
Currently, there are 28 taxi parking spaces in the capital, which is not enough for a city with 1.3 million people. Moreover, vehicles are on average 6.6 years old, calling for a formulation of a policy regarding safety and maintenance of transport. Media and Public relations department of the Governor’s Office reported that the working group is focusing on launching taxis equipped with GPS and smart payment systems. The new taxi service will be introduced beginning in 2018 and will create 500 jobs.
O.Onon
