Solution into problem: Ukrainian Marshrutka and Romanian maxi-taxi at the fall of planning paradigms after 1990

Abstract

Focusing on marshrutka in Ukraine and maxi-taxi in Romania after 1990, I argue that both the idea and the realisation of shared taxis at the peripheries of Europe during the post-socialist years have been implemented as a solution for needed mobility, yet they have shifted to becoming a problem. Marshrutka and maxi-taxi can be considered an area of negotiations, which caused both public support and rejection. More recently, collocated as they are in the peripheries of Europe, a shared taxi service conflicted with images of (European) modernity and was labelled as incompatible with any planning or sustainable policy. Additionally, implementing stricter regulations displayed the state’s power and presence.

Transformations of Urban Electric Transport in Ukraine after 1991 in the View of Transport Policy

“…The gap between the demand for transport occurring for many years on the market and the supply from urban electric transport is more or less efficiently filled by private bus carriers, servicing low-capacity rolling stock lines. Marshrutkas can be considered an area of negotiations (Vozyanov, 2018). Marshrutkas are not positively perceived by passengers due to the desire to maximize profits, unpunctuality, lack of training, improper servicing of the rolling stock, and a very low standard of travel (in rush hours, small vehicles are very overloaded).…”

“…The municipal companies which were in financial difficulties due to discounts and the lack of investment significantly limited the offer or ceased operations, as a result these groups of citizens found themselves in an even more difficult situation -the remaining private carriers (the so-called marshrutkas) are more expensive, they offer a lower standard of travel, and are reluctant to accept any discounts. Recently, shared taxi service has been completed and it has been approved with some planning or sustainable policy (Vozyanov, 2018).…”