The Swedish Government Offices hired a company without proper taxi licenses for over 500 trips. Three people now face charges, including one government employee.
During 2023, the government spent over 7 million kronor ($670,000) on transportation services. Many trips involved high-level meetings requiring police protection and escort vehicles. These included summit meetings with NATO countries.
Transport authorities revoked the company's taxi license in 2022. They determined the company and its traffic manager were unsuitable. The company failed to register vehicles for taxi operations.
The company continued operating despite the revoked license. They claim they don't provide taxi services but rather contractual transportation for clients.
The government employee faces charges for violating taxi traffic laws. Prosecutors say the employee knew about the missing license or had reasonable cause to suspect it.
This case raises questions about government procurement standards. Public agencies should verify contractor credentials, especially for security-sensitive transport. The situation suggests either negligence or deliberate bypassing of regulations.