Taxi drivers are asking not to introduce a uniform taxi color in the Nizhny Novgorod region.

      On March 23, 2026, at 18:14, the Economy Public Council for Taxi Development sent a letter to the governor of Nizhny Novgorod requesting not to support the initiative to introduce a mandatory color for taxi cars. According to industry representatives, this measure could lead to carriers leaving the legal market, an increase in fares, and a rise in the number of illegal drivers.

      The Council notes that the color requirement is a regional right, not an obligation. Meanwhile, the market is already under strain due to localization requirements for vehicles and rising prices for cars, maintenance, fuel, and insurance. Additional costs for repainting or wrapping will only worsen the situation.

      Market participants estimate that wrapping costs start at 95,000 rubles, while repainting can go up to 285,000 rubles. These expenses will fall on carriers and ultimately affect passengers.

      There are 6,878 registered carriers in the region, of which 5,905 are self-employed. The registry includes more than 25,000 vehicles, a significant portion of which are personal cars. For many drivers, taxi services are their primary source of income, and investments of hundreds of thousands of rubles are not feasible for them.

      The Council also added that localized vehicles in the required color are not produced, and about 75% of vehicles owned by legal entities and individual entrepreneurs are under lease agreements that prohibit changing the color. According to the organization, color does not affect safety: taxis are already required to have a light and a "checkerboard belt," and most passengers do not consider color an important criterion.

      The organization called for the rejection of the bill.

      The NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" editorial office reached out to the regional Ministry of Transport and Highways for a comment. They stated that a uniform color would facilitate the identification of taxis for passengers and regulatory authorities.

      According to the agency's assessment, the measure will not lead to a mass exit of carriers or an increase in prices, and the current number of legal vehicles is sufficient for transport accessibility. The Ministry of Transport believes that a unified color scheme will reduce the risk of using illegal carriers' services and simplify the verification of permits.

      An official response to the appeal will be sent within 30 days. A meeting with interested parties is also planned.

      Earlier, it was reported that taxi fares in the Nizhny Novgorod region could increase by 30% in 2026-2027.

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