New taxi law sparks outrage: Higher fares, longer waits ahead

Khushnudbek Khudoyberdiyev, Lawyer and Blogger:

“Congratulations to everyone on the official return of the residency regime, despite its conflict with the Constitution! I never imagined we’d regress this quickly.

“Under the new rule, drivers can only operate taxis in the region where their vehicle’s license plate is registered. For example, a driver with a vehicle registered in Andijan (code 60) can only work as a taxi driver in Andijan, or one with a Karakalpakstan plate (code 95) is restricted to Karakalpakstan.

“Previously, no such rule existed. According to the 2011 Decree No. 139, a driver obtaining a license in Tashkent could operate freely there, regardless of their vehicle’s regional code. The new restriction, introduced on April 2, 2025, by the Cabinet of Ministers, was buried in a minor clause of the regulation, unnoticed by many until drivers began facing issues in practice.

“We’ve been warning about this misguided idea for over a year, but the authorities quietly adopted it anyway. So, what happens now?

1. Taxi fares in Tashkent will rise.
2. Taxis that once arrived in 2 minutes will now take 10–20 minutes due to a sharp reduction in legal drivers.
3. Drivers from other regions will turn to illegal taxi operations, increasing street haggling and fueling the shadow economy.
4. Those wanting to work legally will be forced to transfer their vehicle’s registration to someone with Tashkent residency, operating under a power of attorney. This will spark new property disputes, with many risking loss of their vehicles to trusted acquaintances.

“Contrary to the authorities’ assumptions, this decision won’t reduce traffic congestion in Tashkent. People won’t return to regions with no job opportunities. Those who believe otherwise are either naive or assume others are.

“The residency regime’s return is a step backward. Its abolition was hailed as one of New Uzbekistan’s greatest achievements. Yet, here we are, with taxi drivers as the starting point. Tomorrow, they might tell barbers, bakers, or workers from other regions to stay in their provinces. You think that won’t happen? I wouldn’t be so sure – it’s already started with taxis.”

Otabek Bakirov, Economist:

“This decision was adopted without public discussion or explanation of its purpose or consequences. It will provoke resentment among tens of thousands. You can guess who might be lobbying for it.

“Last year, during one of Lolazor’s podcasts, it was reported that closed-door discussions were underway to exclude regional drivers from Tashkent’s taxi services. Now, what happens?

“Tens of thousands of Uzbek citizens working as taxi drivers in Tashkent face limited options:

1. Sell their car and migrate to Russia for labor work.
2. Return to their regions, joining the ranks of the unemployed or impoverished.
3. Spend at least 5.5 million UZS to re-register their car under a Tashkent resident’s name, then operate under lease or trust agreements – a return to the corrupt practices of the past.

“This discriminatory policy will hit Tashkent residents’ wallets. Taxi fares will rise, and on-demand taxis will become scarce. The cheap labor from regions has been a key factor in keeping service prices in Tashkent affordable.

“Should this be challenged in the Constitutional Court? Absolutely. This requirement contradicts the spirit and letter of the Constitution. The fastest way to challenge it is through parliament members. Will any deputy have the courage to act?

“If we ignore the restriction of regional drivers’ rights, tomorrow it could be regional bakers, teachers, or all of us. Remember how taxi prices spiked during Eid holidays? With regional drivers pushed out, expect that every day after September.”

Bekzod Khoshimov, Economist:

“If social media reports are true, authorities are tackling Tashkent’s traffic congestion the wrong way. The issue lies in demand, not supply. Tashkent has a high demand for vehicles, met by many drivers. Solutions like paid parking, investment in public transport, or time-based road tolls would be more effective. Instead, this policy wrongly targets supply.

“Legally, this raises serious concerns about constitutional and basic human rights. Restricting someone’s ability to work in another region based on their origin violates their right to live and work anywhere in Uzbekistan.

“Consider this: if inter-regional restrictions are justified, why not inter-district ones? Imagine applying the same logic to ban a Kashkadarya driver from working in Tashkent to a Yunusobod driver working in Sergeli. It sounds absurd, doesn’t it? Restrictions within one country are equally illogical.”