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The spokesperson for Tehran Municipality emphasized its long-standing role in managing urban transportation during a press conference today. He announced that online taxi companies must now obtain operational licenses directly from the municipality. This move coincides with the municipality’s entry into the sector through its own platform, Shahrzad, aimed at addressing 'serious shortcomings' in existing services.
Abdolmotahar Mohammadkhani, the spokesperson, criticized the performance of current ride-hailing platforms. He stated: "In recent months, controversies arose in some media outlets, reversing the issue. Instead of obtaining licenses from the municipality, these companies claimed the municipality has no right to launch an online taxi service and must seek their approval."
Accountability of Online Taxi Services
Mohammadkhani stressed that municipalities worldwide oversee taxi services, often collaborating with private companies while utilizing their own capacities. He noted that Tehran Municipality has managed taxi affairs for over 50 years and insisted that online platforms must be held accountable for their operations.
He highlighted concerns about drivers’ lack of familiarity with Tehran’s streets. Many drivers rely heavily on GPS navigation, which can lead to issues if the system malfunctions.
Advantages of Municipal Drivers
The spokesperson contrasted municipal taxi drivers with private ride-hailing drivers, emphasizing the latter’s limited expertise in navigating Tehran. According to Mohammadkhani: "Many online taxi drivers do not live in Tehran. When navigation systems fail, they struggle to find their way."
He added that municipal drivers undergo rigorous testing to demonstrate their knowledge of city routes. This familiarity, he argued, is a vital advantage of Shahrzad’s services over private competitors.
These statements reflect Tehran Municipality’s competitive stance as it launches Shahrzad to rival established ride-hailing platforms in the city.
