On April 13, 2012, in accordance with the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation, changes to. We published an overview of the changes in the article ““. In this article we will take a closer look at one of the most significant changes - the permission for taxis to use the lane for fixed-route vehicles.
It would seem that they added a few lines to the Traffic Rules and all the privileges of route vehicles will also apply to passenger taxis. But this is not so, and this article is devoted to the main situations related to taxi traffic.
Changes in traffic rules
The changes affected paragraph 18.2 of the Road Traffic Rules and the description of signs 5.11 and 5.14 of Appendix 1 to the Road Traffic Rules
18.2. On roads with a lane for route vehicles, marked with signs 5.11, 5.13.1, 5.13.2, 5.14, the movement and stopping of other vehicles in this lane is prohibited.
18.2. On roads with a lane for route vehicles, marked with signs 5.11, 5.13.1, 5.13.2, 5.14, the movement and stopping of other vehicles is prohibited (except for vehicles used as passenger taxis) on this strip.
A road along which the movement of route vehicles is carried out along a specially designated lane towards the general flow of vehicles.
Sign 5.11 “Road with a lane for route vehicles.”
The road along which route vehicles move and vehicles used as passenger taxis, carried out along a specially allocated lane towards the general flow of vehicles.
A lane intended for the movement of only route vehicles moving in the same direction as the general flow of vehicles. The effect of the sign extends to the strip above which it is located. The effect of a sign installed on the right of the road extends to the right lane.
Sign 5.14 “Lane for route vehicles.”
A lane intended for the movement of route vehicles only and vehicles used as passenger taxis moving along the general flow of vehicles. The effect of the sign extends to the strip above which it is located. The effect of a sign installed on the right of the road extends to the right lane.
We see that the lane for fixed-route vehicles can now also be used for passenger taxis.
Thus, at first glance, a passenger taxi has a great advantage over all other vehicles, because, unlike fixed-route vehicles, taxis can move both along public lanes and along a lane for fixed-route vehicles.
But is everything really that smooth?
Advantages of a passenger taxi
Taxi traffic can be carried out along the lane for minibus vehicles (hereinafter referred to as MTS) both in the same direction and in the opposite direction.
If there is a traffic jam, you can go around it using the MTS lane
and vice versa, if the MTS has stopped at a stop, you can go around it in a public lane.
But please note that in order to receive all these benefits, all traffic conditions must be met to allow you to take advantage of these privileges. Signs and markings must allow these maneuvers, otherwise there will be a violation of the Traffic Rules and punishment for this, including deprivation of the right to drive a vehicle. More on this in the continuation of the article.
Passenger taxi restrictions
If the MTS lane is marked with sign 3.1, then taxi traffic in this lane is prohibited.
3.1 “Entry is prohibited.”
Entry of all vehicles in this direction is prohibited.The signs do not apply to:
3.1 - 3.3, 3.18.1, 3.18.2, 3.19, 3.27 - for route vehicles;
As you can see, in this part the changes to the Traffic Rules did not affect taxis; accordingly, passenger taxi drivers are required to comply with the requirement of sign 3.1.
For this violation, liability is provided for: 1. Failure to comply with the requirements prescribed by road signs or markings of the roadway, with the exception of cases provided for in parts 2 and 3 of this article and other articles of this chapter, -
entails a warning or the imposition of an administrative fine in the amount of three hundred rubles.) Part 1 of Article 12.16 and entails the imposition of a fine in the amount of 300 rubles. From July 1, 2012 the penalty for this violation will be changed.
In addition, there are no changes in terms of prescriptive signs:
Signs 4.1.1-4.1.6 do not apply to route vehicles.
Thus, taxi drivers are required to comply with the requirements of signs 3.1-3.3, 3.18.1, 3.18.2, 3.19, 3.27, 4.1.1-4.1.6
Also, taxi drivers do not receive an advantage when leaving a stop.
18.3. In populated areas, drivers must give way to trolleybuses and buses starting from the designated stopping place. Drivers of trolleybuses and buses can start moving only after making sure that they are given way.
When driving along the MTS lane towards the general flow, it is prohibited to overtake route vehicles. Violation is subject to liability for: 4. Driving, in violation of the Traffic Rules, onto a lane intended for oncoming traffic, or onto tram tracks in the opposite direction, with the exception of cases provided for in Part 3 of this article, entails deprivation of the right to drive vehicles for a period of four to six months, and in the case of administrative offense using special technical means operating in automatic mode, having the functions of photographing, filming, video recording, or means of photographing, filming, video recording - the imposition of an administrative fine in the amount of five thousand rubles.) Part 4 of Article 12.15 and entails deprivation of the right to drive a vehicle for period from 4 to 6 months
When driving along the MTS lane separated from the general traffic by a solid marking line 1.1 in the same direction, it is prohibited to leave this lane. Violation is punishable under Part 1 of Article 12.16 and entails a fine of 300 rubles.
When driving along a lane in general traffic, it is prohibited to enter the MTS lane if it is separated by a solid marking line 1.1. Violation is punishable under Part 1 of Article 12.16 and entails a fine of 300 rubles.
Bottom line
Thus, taxi drivers now face a difficult choice if the MTS lane is separated by a solid 1.1 marking line. In the case when a fixed-route vehicle moves in front of the taxi, the taxi driver will have to go through all the stops; whether he will gain in speed in this case or not will only be determined by the experience of a particular driver.
Dear you without obstacles!
On April 13, 2012, in accordance with the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation, changes to. We published an overview of the changes in the article ““. In this article we will take a closer look at one of the most significant changes - the permission for taxis to use the lane for fixed-route vehicles.
It would seem that they added a few lines to the Traffic Rules and all the privileges of route vehicles will also apply to passenger taxis. But this is not so, and this article is devoted to the main situations related to taxi traffic.
Changes in traffic rules
The changes affected paragraph 18.2 of the Road Traffic Rules and the description of signs 5.11 and 5.14 of Appendix 1 to the Road Traffic Rules
18.2. On roads with a lane for route vehicles, marked with signs 5.11, 5.13.1, 5.13.2, 5.14, the movement and stopping of other vehicles in this lane is prohibited.
18.2. On roads with a lane for route vehicles, marked with signs 5.11, 5.13.1, 5.13.2, 5.14, the movement and stopping of other vehicles is prohibited (except for vehicles used as passenger taxis) on this strip.
A road along which the movement of route vehicles is carried out along a specially designated lane towards the general flow of vehicles.
Sign 5.11 “Road with a lane for route vehicles.”
The road along which route vehicles move and vehicles used as passenger taxis, carried out along a specially allocated lane towards the general flow of vehicles.
A lane intended for the movement of only route vehicles moving in the same direction as the general flow of vehicles. The effect of the sign extends to the strip above which it is located. The effect of a sign installed on the right of the road extends to the right lane.
Sign 5.14 “Lane for route vehicles.”
A lane intended for the movement of route vehicles only and vehicles used as passenger taxis moving along the general flow of vehicles. The effect of the sign extends to the strip above which it is located. The effect of a sign installed on the right of the road extends to the right lane.
We see that the lane for fixed-route vehicles can now also be used for passenger taxis.
Thus, at first glance, a passenger taxi has a great advantage over all other vehicles, because, unlike fixed-route vehicles, taxis can move both along public lanes and along a lane for fixed-route vehicles.
But is everything really that smooth?
Advantages of a passenger taxi
Taxi traffic can be carried out along the lane for minibus vehicles (hereinafter referred to as MTS) both in the same direction and in the opposite direction.
If there is a traffic jam, you can go around it using the MTS lane
and vice versa, if the MTS has stopped at a stop, you can go around it in a public lane.
But please note that in order to receive all these benefits, all traffic conditions must be met to allow you to take advantage of these privileges. Signs and markings must allow these maneuvers, otherwise there will be a violation of the Traffic Rules and punishment for this, including deprivation of the right to drive a vehicle. More on this in the continuation of the article.
Passenger taxi restrictions
If the MTS lane is marked with sign 3.1, then taxi traffic in this lane is prohibited.
3.1 “Entry is prohibited.”
Entry of all vehicles in this direction is prohibited.The signs do not apply to:
3.1 - 3.3, 3.18.1, 3.18.2, 3.19, 3.27 - for route vehicles;
As you can see, in this part the changes to the Traffic Rules did not affect taxis; accordingly, passenger taxi drivers are required to comply with the requirement of sign 3.1.
For this violation, liability is provided for: 1. Failure to comply with the requirements prescribed by road signs or markings of the roadway, with the exception of cases provided for in parts 2 and 3 of this article and other articles of this chapter, -
entails a warning or the imposition of an administrative fine in the amount of three hundred rubles.) Part 1 of Article 12.16 and entails the imposition of a fine in the amount of 300 rubles. From July 1, 2012 the penalty for this violation will be changed.
In addition, there are no changes in terms of prescriptive signs:
Signs 4.1.1-4.1.6 do not apply to route vehicles.
Thus, taxi drivers are required to comply with the requirements of signs 3.1-3.3, 3.18.1, 3.18.2, 3.19, 3.27, 4.1.1-4.1.6
Also, taxi drivers do not receive an advantage when leaving a stop.
18.3. In populated areas, drivers must give way to trolleybuses and buses starting from the designated stopping place. Drivers of trolleybuses and buses can start moving only after making sure that they are given way.
When driving along the MTS lane towards the general flow, it is prohibited to overtake route vehicles. Violation is subject to liability for: 4. Driving, in violation of the Traffic Rules, onto a lane intended for oncoming traffic, or onto tram tracks in the opposite direction, with the exception of cases provided for in Part 3 of this article, entails deprivation of the right to drive vehicles for a period of four to six months, and in the case of administrative offense using special technical means operating in automatic mode, having the functions of photographing, filming, video recording, or means of photographing, filming, video recording - the imposition of an administrative fine in the amount of five thousand rubles.) Part 4 of Article 12.15 and entails deprivation of the right to drive a vehicle for period from 4 to 6 months
When driving along the MTS lane separated from the general traffic by a solid marking line 1.1 in the same direction, it is prohibited to leave this lane. Violation is punishable under Part 1 of Article 12.16 and entails a fine of 300 rubles.
When driving along a lane in general traffic, it is prohibited to enter the MTS lane if it is separated by a solid marking line 1.1. Violation is punishable under Part 1 of Article 12.16 and entails a fine of 300 rubles.
Bottom line
Thus, taxi drivers now face a difficult choice if the MTS lane is separated by a solid 1.1 marking line. In the case when a fixed-route vehicle moves in front of the taxi, the taxi driver will have to go through all the stops; whether he will gain in speed in this case or not will only be determined by the experience of a particular driver.
Dear you without obstacles!
There are a lot of rumors and speculations about dedicated lanes and whether taxi drivers can drive on them. Drivers have the same questions when they are looking for a parking space. After all, the fines for both of these violations are severe. Let's try to figure this out together. To close these questions once and for all.
According to the Moscow Department of Transport, the information that you have been issued is sent to the Center for Automated Recording of Administrative Offenses in the Field of Traffic (CAFAP) within one working day. And this seems to be true. After all, for more than 4 years in Moscow, permits have been issued only for cars that are painted yellow.
Taxi drivers from other regions with whom the Moscow government has entered into a special agreement can also travel on dedicated lanes. I know for sure that there is such an agreement with the government of the Moscow region. Therefore, with Moscow region licenses, you can drive on Moscow dedicated roads.
Taxi ranks
If you see a special sign, you can safely park in this place. Parking there is free. But you need to have with you:
- Valid license
- Valid waybill
- Taxi lantern on the roof
- Checkers on the sides of the car
You can be checked at any time. And if you don't have at least one of these points, you won't be happy.
How to protect yourself from fines as much as possible
Make sure that your car is definitely in the database of the department of motor vehicles and that it is actually licensed. There are a lot of fakes. Therefore, choose trusted people or companies through which you obtain a license. Don't forget to put a taxi sign and draw checkers on the sides.
According to the data center, all cars are checked in 3 stages. First in automatic mode. If you do not pass the automatic check, a data center employee checks your car to see if it has a license and signs of a taxi. If the previous 2 stages did not produce results, the traffic police officer checks each car manually in several databases to see if it has a license. If nothing is found anywhere, you will receive a fine.
If you come to the traffic police and demand that the fines be cancelled, you will most likely be sent away. Today, appeals against decisions take place exclusively through CAFAP.
If you go to court, you will have to prove that the car is a taxi. Therefore, do not forget about the taxi sign on the roof and the checkers on the sides. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to prove that you really work as a taxi driver.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs did not agree with the capital authorities regarding the passage of legal yellow taxis on dedicated lanes.
An interesting disagreement arose between the Ministry of Internal Affairs, namely Deputy Head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Viktor Kiryanov, and the Moscow city authorities. The fact is that now in the capital region, legal yellow taxis have received the right to use dedicated traffic lanes on a preferential basis; no sanctions are provided for driving under “bricks” on dedicated lanes for taxi companies.
This fact, according to the deputy head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, directly contradicts the law, because the “brick” stands at the entrance to the public transport lane, along with the sign 5.11.1. “A road with a lane for fixed-route vehicles” prohibits the movement of all cars, without exception, except for public transport, Kiryanov notes in the letter.
It is important to know:
Therefore, by his order, Moscow will begin fining taxi drivers who are now traveling on dedicated roads on a legal basis. An additional investigation has been launched into this matter.
Where did it all start?
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia has identified widespread cases of non-bringing to administrative responsibility the owners of yellow taxis for driving on dedicated lanes for public transport in Moscow. The department conducted an inspection and found that the city authorities “rejected” photographic materials with such violations and did not send them to the State Traffic Inspectorate for issuing fines.
The audit was initiated thanks to a letter from the first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Construction, Vyacheslav Lysakov, who was the first to draw attention to the discrepancy between the actions of the capital’s authorities and the legislation.
Materials received from video recording cameras with a yellow body and yellow license plates, which moved along dedicated lanes in Moscow, ignoring sign 3.1 “Traffic is prohibited,” were automatically marked as related to special vehicles and fell into the “reject” category. The Department of Transport explained this by the fact that a legal taxi is equated to a type of urban transport and can move freely along dedicated lanes of fixed-route vehicles.
Art. 12.16 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, the fine for such a violation in Moscow is 3 thousand rubles.
Early interpretation
The head of the Department of Transport, Maxim Liksutov, previously stated that legal carriers who have painted their cars yellow and received license plates of the same color can freely drive in public transport lanes without paying attention to sign 3.1. Why was he so sure of this? Liksutov at that time referred to the order of the mayor, which, according to Lysakov, does not exist in nature, and if it did, then the actions of the traffic rules would not be able to be noted.
Further development of the situation with yellow taxis on dedicated lines
In accordance with the results of the inspection of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Lysakov appealed to the Prosecutor General's Office with a request to conduct a federal investigation into the fact (he had previously submitted a similar request to the Moscow prosecutor's office, but that time the department did not find any violations), now there is a chance to prove violations of yellow taxis Greater than ever.
The concept of “dedicated lane” appeared in the vocabulary of residents and guests of our country’s megacities relatively recently. The dedicated lane was originally created as a special part of the road for traffic with special priority, including route vehicles. Most often, the dedicated lane is located on the right when driving on the right, but regulations allow it to be located anywhere on the roadway.
The creation of such a special lane is intended to relieve congestion on the road, prevent traffic jams and congestion, which made it possible to increase the speed of public transport by 15-30%. In Moscow, at the beginning of 2016, the length of dedicated lanes was more than 240 km. It is estimated that in the capital the total passenger flow on such lanes is from 1.5 million people per day. The metro has ceased to be the only transport preferred by Muscovites and guests of the capital, so in 2014 the rate of passenger transportation by ground transport became 30% higher than the year before.
City authorities have calculated that some companies offering taxi services can also use the dedicated lane. It was in this year, 2016, that legal taxis were able to move along lanes that were previously intended only for public transport and school buses.
However, this decision initially caused controversy. The “bricks” and prohibitory signs were not dismantled, so taxi drivers faced a large fine for driving into the designated lane. So, in November 2015, drivers of yellow taxis began to receive quite impressive fines for driving under a brick. Company owners have banned their taxi drivers from driving on such lanes. It was after investigations and requests to the relevant authorities that the situation changed. It required clarification, a special decree and prompt, complete dismantling of signs along the entire length of the allocated lanes.
Details about the ability to drive in dedicated lanes
So, in 2016, about 14 more km of dedicated lanes will be introduced in Moscow by the end of the year. Currently, there are 20 dedicated lines in the capital. This year, legal taxis were able to travel in lanes that were previously reserved only for public transport and school buses.
To achieve this, the city authorities promptly dismantled the prohibitory signs indicating “No Entry.” The opportunity to travel in a dedicated taxi lane was provided so that licensed taxis, which pay taxes to the state, were able to provide their passengers with additional fast travel services. Definitely, taxi services are more expensive than public transport. The passenger wants to get for his money not only the opportunity to conveniently travel and carry luggage, but also efficiency. Driving in a dedicated lane significantly reduces the risk of delays at important events, at a train station, at the airport, etc.
Which taxis are considered legal?
Legal taxis are required to receive a special package of permits. This can be done individually, or you can turn to the services of a legal taxi service that provides employment to employees. Such cars are provided with special identification marks (checkered, roof lights), and contracts are concluded by the company with drivers who want to obtain a license without opening an individual entrepreneur.
Let us remind you that since 2011, taxi drivers and taxi companies must obtain appropriate transportation licenses issued by local authorities. Thus, the city is fighting against illegal carriers, who often cannot provide a safe ride for their passengers and do not undergo mandatory medical examinations. By using “bombil” services, passengers put their lives in danger.
Therefore, if you want the trip to be enjoyable, to be safe, and to have the opportunity to avoid traffic jams and congestion in a dedicated lane, then order a legal taxi. If necessary, such a car has the right to drive along a dedicated lane, and you will definitely make it to your destination on time. Legal taxis advertise their status on their own resources, release mobile versions, they are honest with tariffs and do everything possible to make the passenger a regular customer of their company.
Reference: At the end of the 2015 calendar period in Moscow, more than 50 thousand firms and individuals had permission to operate taxis. Over three years, this figure has increased significantly (in 2012, only 8 thousand such permits were issued). This is the largest “collective” of taxi drivers in Europe, which was assembled thanks to the adoption of the Federal Law on Taxi in 2012. According to Moscow authorities, taxis in the capital carry 200,000 passengers every day, and it is estimated that more than 75 million people use taxi services. Thanks to the use of modern technologies, a developed navigation system, and a quick search for the right car in a specific area, a legal taxi will arrive to you on average in just 8 minutes. Such a car will quickly take the passenger to their destination, using a dedicated lane if necessary.
