700 apply for taxi permits on first day

The Finnish Transport Safety Agency (Trafi) received about 700 applications for taxi permits on the first day, as the new law regarding liberalisation of the taxi industry came into effect on Sunday, reported the national broadcaster Yle quoting Trafi.

Trafi sources said the applications were submitted to Trafi online on the first day, although there were a few technical glitches in the application process, Trafi department manager Kimmo Pylvää told Yle.

“People have been able to find and complete the online forms quite well. Surprisingly few have had the problems,” the Yle report quoted the Trafi department manager as saying.

The agency said the grant decisions on the applications would be made on Monday and, if an application is granted, the applicant will get notification by email and can immediately begin plying the trade, without waiting for the original permit to be sent by post.

Pylvää said Trafi is getting more applications than expected.

The new Traffic Services Act, which allows ridesharing businesses in Finland, came into force in July 2018. This means that players such as Uber will be able to start offering their services lawfully.