The Permit Foundation of Public Transit
Public transit — regular passenger transport and taxi services — is protected by a permit regime under the law on licences and permits. The list of types of permits directly includes a permit for regular passenger transport within the administrative boundaries of a municipality, a permit for transport by light motor vehicle — taxi — in the capital of Georgia or another self-governing city, and a permit for automobile passenger transport. These three types form the legal map of public passenger transport: municipal regular routes, the city taxi and general automobile passenger transport. The separation is practical: each type has its own issuing authority and form of issuance.
Municipal Regular Routes — Competition and Issuing Authorities
A permit for regular passenger transport within the administrative boundaries of a municipality is issued, by way of competition, by the executive body of the municipality. Within the administrative boundaries of the city of Tbilisi, this function rests with the government of the Tbilisi municipality, its authorized structural unit of the mayor’s office, or a legal person founded by the municipality; in another self-governing city — with the executive body of that city, its authorized structural unit of the mayor’s office, or a public law legal person founded by the self-governing city.
The winner of the competition pays the price of issuance of the permit in order to receive it, while a fee is not charged upon the issuance of this permit. The price of issuance is determined, and the rules for conducting the competition and paying the price are approved, by the representative body of the municipality, and the price is credited to the budget of the respective municipality. A competition means that the municipality limits in advance the number of operators working on the regular routes and itself sets the selection criteria.
Taxi — at the City Level
In the capital of Georgia, a permit for transport by light motor vehicle — taxi — is issued by the government of the Tbilisi municipality, its authorized structural unit of the mayor’s office, or a legal person founded by the municipality; in another self-governing city — by the structural unit of the mayor’s office of that self-governing city or a public law legal person founded by it. The permit seeker pays the price of issuance of the permit, and a fee is not charged in this case either.
In the capital, the permit conditions, the procedure for issuance, the price of issuance and the procedure for its payment are approved by the representative body of the capital of Georgia — the assembly (sakrebulo), and in another self-governing city — by the assembly of that city. The price of issuance is credited to the budget of the capital or of the respective self-governing city. In the taxi case, the city assembly, as the local representative body, is directly answerable for how the market of transport by light motor vehicles works in the city.
Automobile Passenger Transport and the Boundaries of Regulation
The list includes, as a separate type, a permit for automobile passenger transport — the general automobile type of transport that covers passenger flows other than municipal regular routes and taxis. Together, the three types create the framework by which an operator knows exactly which permit the operator’s type of service requires.
These norms do not determine the tariffs of passenger transport, the schedules, the technical requirements for buses or the qualifications of drivers — these matters are set by other norms of transport and road legislation. Nor do they contain a specific competition calendar or the amount of the issuance price: the price and the rules are set by the representative body of the municipality, so these details differ from municipality to municipality and must be verified before applying.
Practical Recommendations for an Operator
First: determine the type of service — a municipal regular route, a taxi or other automobile passenger transport — because the type and the issuing authority depend on it. Second: a permit for regular transport is issued only through a competition — follow the announcements of the municipality. Third: for taxis, the conditions are set by an act of the city assembly — the rules of Tbilisi and other cities differ. Fourth: remember the financial side — a fee is not charged, but a one-time price of issuance is paid, which is credited to the respective budget. This distribution of issuing authorities also creates the address to which a passenger or an operator can turn.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most frequent questions connected with public transit, with short answers.
Which permits cover public transit?
A permit for regular passenger transport within the administrative boundaries of a municipality, a permit for taxi transport in the capital and self-governing cities, and a permit for automobile passenger transport.
How is a municipal regular transport permit issued?
By way of competition, by the executive body of the municipality; in Tbilisi — by the municipal government, an authorized structural unit or a founded legal person. The winner pays the price of issuance.
Who sets the taxi conditions?
In the capital — the representative body of the capital, the assembly; in another self-governing city — the assembly of that city. They approve the conditions, the issuance procedure and the price.
Is a fee charged?
No — upon the issuance of both a regular transport permit and a taxi permit, a fee is not charged; the permit seeker pays the price of issuance, which is credited to the respective budget.
How We Help on Legal.ge
We assist with determining the type of permit, identifying the issuing authority, preparing for participation in the competition and documenting the fulfilment of the permit conditions. Contact us on Legal.ge — a public transit business begins with its permit foundation.