FAS criticizes Yandex Taxi for blocking drivers, pricing and commissions

Deputy Head of FAS Petr Ivanov spoke about the claims that the service has against Yandex (MOEX: YNDX) Taxi”. In 2023, the department received more than 300 complaints related to the cost of travel and blocking of drivers and passengers in the Yandex GO service.

Mr. Ivanov listed the claims against the company in an interview “Izvestia”. Firstly, in connection with the blocking, the FAS sent a letter to Yandex Taxi demanding that the documents comprehensively clarify possible violations and measures commensurate with them. Secondly, the FAS believes that the company should reduce the commission and other payments collected from carriers to a “competitive level”. Drivers currently pay about 28%, a fee the agency considers “too high.” Thirdly, the company “does not fully disclose” the pricing algorithm for taxi services.

Yandex Taxi did not comply with the FAS requirements regarding blocking “in full.” The aggregator also did not reduce the commission required by the service. The FAS continues to analyze the pricing practices of aggregators, but until the end of 2024 there is a moratorium on inspections of accredited IT companies.

The FAS recognized Yandex Taxi as dominant in the market back in 2021. Service in 2023 and 2024 notedthat abuse of a dominant position may lead to an inspection and the adoption of antimonopoly response measures, but at present the FAS’s ability to respond is limited.

About the FAS claims – in the Kommersant FM material “Yandex Taxi was recognized as dominant”.

Leonid Uvarchev