On Monday, several hundred taxi drivers in Riga took part in a protest drive against the policies implemented by Bolt, the LETA news agency observed.
Taxi drivers attached Latvian flags to their vehicles and displayed various posters, including slogans such as “We are not slaves,” “24 hours without ‘Bolt’,” “You cannot do without us,” “Stop exploiting us,” and others. Several cars also featured the Bolt logo crossed out.
Protests by taxi drivers are also taking place in Daugavpils and Jelgava.
The protest drive in Riga, accompanied by police, is planned to continue until 11:00, followed by a press conference and rally until 14:00.
The route of the drive is Zaķusala embankment – Salu Bridge – Krasta Street – General Radziņš embankment – Kārļa Mīlenbaha Street – Emīlijas Benjamiņas Street (Ministry of Transport) – 13 January Street – Akmens Bridge – Mūkusalas Street (administrative building of Bolt Operations) – Mūkusalas roundabout – Salu Bridge – back to Zaķusala.
No traffic restrictions are planned in Jelgava,
but the Riga City Council informed that significant traffic disruptions will be introduced on several central streets and bridges during the protest.
Until 11:00, traffic along the route and adjacent streets will be regulated and, if necessary, closed. Public transport movement may also be regulated or temporarily suspended as required.
Traffic will also be restricted on all streets intersecting the route. Therefore, significant traffic disruptions are expected in central Riga and Pārdaugava on Monday morning and early afternoon.
The municipality urges drivers to plan their journeys in advance, choose alternative routes,
and expect significantly longer travel times.
To discuss industry issues, protest organisers have invited the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economics, the Ministry of Welfare, the Competition Council, the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau, and Bolt Operations.
Industry organisations state that the protest is being held because the government has not fulfilled the sector’s ultimatum and has failed to take concrete steps to limit the monopoly of the Bolt platform.
The aim of the protest is to challenge the abuse of a dominant position by a single platform.
Industry organisations advocate for a fair and predictable taxi sector that promotes healthy competition and the entry of new market participants, rather than eliminating existing local businesses. Representatives also stress that consumer interests are a priority — ride prices should be clear and justified, avoiding situations where the same route costs 10 euros or 20 euros due to arbitrarily applied surge pricing by Bolt.
The organisations demand an end to price manipulation that distorts the market and misleads consumers.
The organisers also point out that the Ministry of Transport’s promises to limit Bolt’s influence and set commission caps at 15% have remained on paper, despite industry warnings. As early as four years ago, the sector proposed introducing a unified tariff to ensure transparent pricing for consumers.
The organisers further emphasise that the current excise tax reduction granted by the government has not produced results — fuel prices remain higher than before, and there is still no action plan to support the sector.
Industry organisations stress that the current situation in the passenger transport sector creates significant market distortions, as digital platform service providers can independently set prices and maintain records without effective external oversight, creating risks of opacity and data manipulation. At the same time, a dumping pricing model not based on fundamental industry principles threatens fair competition and the sustainability of the sector, pushing out local companies.
The protest is organised by the Taxi industry employers’ organization, the Latvian Light Taxi Industry Employers’ Organization, the Licensed Commercial Passenger Carriers Development Association, and the Latvian Public Service and Transport Workers’ Union.
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