The ban, which has been in effect since the end of July, is set to last until December 2025. City authorities justified it by the need to improve the quality and safety of taxi services, as well as to create additional employment opportunities for citizens of Russia.
The full enforcement of the ban took place on November 8, and experts estimate that as a result of these measures, the number of drivers in St. Petersburg has decreased by 12%.
Information about the ban on migrants working as couriers became known on August 11, when it was also established to last until the end of 2025. In Smolny, it was noted that this decision is aimed at combating informal employment, improving the quality and safety of courier services, as well as creating new jobs for youth and students in Russia. The Committee on Labor and Employment of the Population of St. Petersburg has been instructed to present its recommendations to the governor regarding the feasibility of extending the ban until 2027 by August 1, 2026.
