The Federal Antimonopoly service (FAS) refused the “Yandex” in the petition for the purchase of a taxi, “Lucky”, considering their combined market share of 70%. Such a merger would narrow the choice of aggregators for taxi drivers and passengers, the officials decided.The purchase of “Yandex” group taxi “Lucky” contradicts the law on protection of competition, said the FAS refused an Internet holding company in the acquisition of this group.The petition for approval of the purchase by the company “Yandex” aggregator taxi “Lucky”, including its trademarks, Fasten, Leader, RedTaxi, etc., received in the FAS may 15, 2020. This is the fourth petition; the previous three, the company has filed for and withdrawn, changing the structure of the transaction. The analysis of market aggregators taxi the FAS came to the conclusion that in the case of the transaction the total share of aggregator “Yandex.Taxi” and “Lucky” will be 70% in Russia, over 80% in 19 subjects and over 50% in 32 subjects. “After all the parties of the transaction materials, taking into account the conducted analysis of market aggregators taxi, FAS Russia concluded that the transaction leads to increased market concentration, a narrowing of options for taxi drivers and passengers. Accordingly, the effect of the transaction could negatively affect competition in the market of taxi aggregators”, concluded Deputy head of FAS Anatoly Golomolzin.For the first time about the impending deal was announced July 15. A group of “Lucky” runs in 123 cities of the country, “Yandex” was going to buy it software and call centers and to invest in the development of the service of RUB 8 billion within three years. As reported by “Kommersant” , with objections against it, the FAS appealed the aggregator Gett: he believed that the deal will strengthen the dominance of one player in the market, allowing him to increase the cost of travel and reduce the incomes of drivers.”Our estimates of market share differ with the assessment of the FAS. We expect a detailed reasoned decision”,— said the press service of “Yandex.Taxi”.When the deal was announced only a year ago, it was assessed as positive for “Yandex.Taxi,” says the analyst of BCS Global Markets Maria Sukhanova. “After a year, and given the fact, as COVID-19 changed the situation on the market, for “Yandex.Taxi” the transaction has become less relevant,” she said, commending the decision of the FAS as neutral for the company. According to MS Sukhanova, at “Yandex.Taxi” are all opportunities for organic growth and no acquisitions of other players.The decision of Antimonopoly service — a positive signal for the market and for the state and consumers, said the head of competence Center Public development Institute taxi MET Stanislav Shvagerus. The evaluation of the effects of a possible transaction FAS “did a great job requesting many of the subjects of entrepreneurial activityosti”, knows the expert. “The service solution fits into a global trend, in which States restrict market share to corporations,” adds Mr. Shvagerus.Anna Afanasyeva, Dmitry Shestoperov
