The transport company North Ride, which provided transport services for Umeå municipality, has gone bankrupt amid revelations of tax fraud convictions and unpaid wages to taxi drivers. According to SVT Västernbotten reports, the company's two owners were convicted in 2018 for serious tax crimes and obstruction of tax control. Despite these convictions, one owner continued to represent the company and was registered as traffic manager with the Swedish Transport Agency in 2023.
The company's board reportedly consisted of figureheads who had no real influence over operations, with one board member admitting to SVT that he was only used to sign documents. Since early 2025, North Ride had been contracted by Umeå municipality to provide transport services. Dozens of taxi drivers who worked for the company say they have not been paid for months of work, with losses totaling over two million kronor.
I feel cheated
'I feel cheated,' said driver Saadi Slevanay, who reported being severely affected economically. The Swedish Transport Agency began oversight of North Ride in September 2025 over concerns about insufficient capital for taxi licenses, and was considering revoking the company's permit just before the bankruptcy. The Swedish Public Employment Service is also seeking to recover approximately 240,000 kronor in wage subsidies paid to the company, alleging the owners failed to disclose their criminal convictions.
he was only used to sign documents