Kazakhstan Monitoring Taxi Market, Yandex GO Controls 90% Share

Yandex GO holds a dominant position in Kazakhstan’s taxi market, controlling approximately 90% of the industry, with its market share continuing to grow, Orda.kz reports.

The Agency for the Protection and Development of Competition (APDC) is closely monitoring the situation, according to Deputy Chair Bolat Sambetov, who assured that foreign experts were engaged in 2024 to conduct an audit and independent checks.

In 2024, we engaged foreign experts to conduct an audit and independent checks. It is important for us to understand how the service algorithms work, how tariffs are formed and how transparent they are, Sambetov reported in the Majilis, answering questions from deputies. 

How Taxi Prices Are Determined

Taxi fares in Kazakhstan depend on multiple factors, including location, weather conditions, and demand levels.

The company's automated systems react to any changes in travel conditions. This means that prices can fluctuate significantly depending on the time of day, weather conditions, or even the area of ​​the city. We see that during rush hours, tariffs increase several times,Sambetov explained. 

Kazakhstan’s taxi industry differs from a traditional monopoly, as drivers themselves participate in setting prices.

This market is a little different — here, in addition to the service itself, a large number of drivers are involved. In fact, these are 200,000 people who also form prices, agreeing or not agreeing to certain travel conditions. 

Regulation Under Consideration

The APDC has considered imposing price caps, though no final decision has been made. Currently, Yandex GO takes a 16% commission from each trip, while an additional 4% goes to taxi companies, totaling 20% of the ride’s cost.

Different countries have different approaches to regulation. In Uzbekistan, for example, the commission percentage is lower, and a different model operates there. We are studying this experience and considering possible measures that can be adapted for Kazakhstan,Sambetov added. 

Some experts have proposed reducing the commission percentage, though concerns remain that this could push Yandex GO out of the market or reduce service quality. The APDC is currently in negotiations with Yandex GO, with potential regulatory measures expected in the near future.

Original Author: Artyom Volkov