The 2020 taxi regulation relaxed industry requirements and allowed licenses to be used nationwide, according to officials. This has created challenges for the taxi industry, officials said. At the North Norwegian Taxi Conference in Tromsø on Tuesday, Troms County Council's proposal to return to the old system was discussed.
The proposal, unanimously adopted this spring, is now with the Ministry of Transport. State Secretary Jakob Vorren (Ap) said the ministry believes other measures should be tried instead, such as allowing counties to award exclusive rights beyond municipal boundaries and the old maximum inhabitant limit. Åsmund Karlsen, county leader for Troms in the Norwegian Taxi Association, said: "I am not in favor of it.
I am not in favor of it. The deregulation is a defeat for the organized industry in Norway.
" He added that previously the county had full control over licenses, but now they have none. June Pettersen, main committee leader for transport in Troms County Council, said the proposal aims to ensure licenses issued in Troms are primarily used there, noting that northern lights tourism attracts drivers from across the country with different car requirements.
Previously, the county had full responsibility, with licenses awarded in Troms county. Today, they have no control.