InDrive Warned After Taxi Fares Nearly Triple During Yandex Go Outage

Kazakhstan’s Agency for Protection and Development of Competition has issued an official warning to InDrive to prevent potential violations of competition laws and protect consumer rights following user complaints over a sharp surge in taxi fares during an outage at Yandex Go.

On October 11, a technical glitch in the Yandex Go service led to a sudden spike in demand for InDrive. Due to a shortage of available drivers, media outlets reported that fares along certain routes nearly tripled.

To stabilize pricing, InDrive lowered its driver commission fees to the minimum level and urged drivers to refrain from setting peak rates.

The antitrust agency stressed that given the limited number of active taxi service providers in the market, preventing unjustified price hikes and ensuring accessible services for the public remains crucial.

Under Article 198 of the Entrepreneurial Code, such a warning serves as a preventive measure rather than a final legal determination of misconduct. It is intended to forestall potential breaches and safeguard consumer interests.