Three years ago, amendments to the Decision on taxi transport were adopted, according to which all taxi vehicles should be white in color. The deadline for taxi operators to change the color of their cars expires at the beginning of May.
The decision foresees that the vehicles that taxi carriers purchase through the subsidy of the Government of the Republic of Serbia must be white in color, and the transitional period of one year will apply to taxi drivers who purchase vehicles from their own funds.
It also says that taxi operators, who have permission to operate taxis, are obliged to harmonize their operations within three years from the date of entry into force of this decision, which was in 2021.
The then Deputy Mayor of Belgrade, Goran Vesić, said: "We want Belgrade taxi drivers to have good cars, to provide the best service to the citizens and for the job of a taxi driver to become a valued profession."
However, an anonymous source for "Vreme" from "Pink Taxi" says that he and his colleagues are constantly wondering on the basis of which law this was adopted. He adds that they were told that if they don't change the color of their vehicle, they won't even get a work permit.
Another source, who also wished to remain anonymous for "Vreme", when asked what the point of introducing this decision is, says that the rationale is for everyone to be in the same color, not only because of the white city (Belgrade), but also to distinguish them from the wild ones. taxi driver.
However, he states that they are certainly distinguished from wild taxi drivers by "TX" plates because not everyone can get TX plates.
How much will it cost to change the color of the car?
Because of this Decision, taxi drivers will have to either buy a new car, or paint or put foil on their car.
According to our interlocutor, the majority of taxi drivers opted for foil, which is more like sticky wallpaper and can last up to about a year. Until recently, he says, that service cost between 180 and 200 euros.
However, prices have risen recently, so that service now costs between 220 and 250 euros, depending on the size of the car. The price of other foils, which are not like adhesive wallpaper, are between 400 and 1200 euros and they are certainly of better quality.
He explains that painting a taxi driver can cost from 1000 euros and upwards, and that it is certainly more long-lasting than foil.
Eye rubbing
Subsidies from the Government of Serbia existed as a form of aid, but our source says that they were in the amount of 8000 euros who used them, but that is no longer valid. He explains that it was during the period when the taxi drivers rebelled against the "CarGo" company, and that this help was to silence them.
"Cars have become more expensive. Let's say the Dacia Logan cost 8000 euros, and now it costs 16.000."
Not everyone took advantage of the aid and it was canceled a few months ago, and "CarGo" was still "taking our bread".
Finally, he says that the work has significantly decreased by 30 to 50 percent, but also that there are months when there is no work.
