A procedure has been approved in Odesa for responding to cars that block trams and trolleybuses, including the three-section car of route No. 7. In addition to fines and towing, compensation for damages due to delays may be claimed from the responsible person. This was reported during the Odesa City Council session broadcast on October 28.
Blocking electric transport in Odesa: how the new rules will work
The procedure applies not only to improper parking on the tracks or in the path of trolleybuses. It will also be applied in cases of traffic accidents, malfunctioning or abandoned cars if the electric transport cannot safely bypass them.
In case of an obstruction, the following algorithm is provided:
- The driver of the tram or trolleybus stops, ensures the safety of passengers, and reports the location and time of the delay to the dispatcher;
- The dispatcher communicates the information to the transport department if stopping or parking rules are violated, or to the police in case of an accident;
- Parking inspectors record the violation, issue a ruling, and organize towing if necessary in accordance with the law;
- The company records the duration of the delay and the number of detained trams and trolleybuses.
The trolleybus driver will be able to circumvent the vehicle if technically feasible and safe. Dispatcher records, available GPS data, and video from city cameras will be used to confirm circumstances.
The new procedure distinguishes such cases from other reasons for stopping movement. It specifically does not apply to outages for which the city engages reserve buses from Dnipro, malfunctioning of the electric transport itself, repair work, and circumstances of force majeure.
Compensation for delays of trams and trolleybuses: how the amount will be determined
No fixed fee for blocking traffic has been established. Odesmiskelektrotrans must calculate and document the damages before demanding compensation.
The amount may include expenses for removing the obstacle, restoring movement, and lost income from passenger transport. The latter will be determined based on the hourly revenue of the respective route and the duration of the delay.
For calculations, income from single tickets and payments via QR codes on the relevant day of the previous week will be taken. Thus, the amount will depend on the specific case and will not be the same for all violators.
The company will send a written demand to the responsible person. If the issue is not resolved voluntarily within a month, the case will be taken to court. The cancellation of an administrative fine will not, by itself, deprive the company of the right to demand compensation.
Compensation will relate to documented losses of the carrier and will not change the fare in Odesa. Its collection will be separate from the administrative penalty for violating stopping or parking rules.