In Zhytomyr, discussions are underway regarding the transfer of bus routes to private operators: what about transport from Europe

The Zhytomyr Tram and Trolleybus Management has received six trams from Croatia and six trolleybuses from Switzerland, but by the end of September, the new transport was still not operating on regular routes. Meanwhile, the city council proposed transferring bus routes to private carriers so that the municipal enterprise could focus on electric transport.

This is reported by Suspilne Zhytomyr.

European transport in Zhytomyr: why trams and trolleybuses are delayed

The trams from the Croatian city of Osijek arrived in Zhytomyr on April 30. One tram made a test run at the end of June, but it was later removed from the route. According to the head of the TTM, Serhii Lazarev, the trams are certified, but the city tracks and infrastructure still need to be checked.

«It concerns the tracks, the distance to the supports. Our legal standards regulating the movement of electric transport are not just outdated; they are permeated with the spirit of Soviet times», — explained Lazarev.

Swiss trolleybuses also remained in the depot. As of September 23, six out of ten vehicles had arrived in Zhytomyr. Drivers completed theoretical training and began practical training on September 21. The certification of the vehicles is underway. The purchase of insurance services is scheduled for September 30, after which the trolleybuses will be able to operate in the city.

While the drivers are training, the vehicles are operating on diesel generators intended for emergencies. They also need to be mastered before starting work. The new trolleybuses are planned to replace some of the old ones. In total, 63 vehicles are expected to go out from the depot onto the routes. Earlier, the city reported how Swiss trolleybuses are heading to Zhytomyr.

Zhytomyr's bus routes: why they are proposed to be transferred to private operators

On September 8, the head of the budget commission of the city council, Yurii Moiseiev, proposed to reduce the fleet of TTU buses and transfer its routes to private carriers. In his opinion, the municipal enterprise should focus on trams and trolleybuses. At the same time, the deputy clarified to Suspilne that the proposal was not put to a vote.

Out of the 17 MAZ buses purchased in 2018, only 13 can be put on routes. TTU also temporarily serves route No. 33, as no new carrier has been found for it. Among the difficulties facing the enterprise are staff shortages, booking conditions, and salary levels.

According to Moiseiev, for the first eight months of the year, the bus fleet generated about 45 million UAH in income but spent 67-68 million UAH. The loss, in his estimate, was 20-23 million UAH. During this period, trams and trolleybuses generated 250 million UAH and transported about 15 million passengers, while buses only transported approximately 2.5 million.

A representative of the public organization «Location», Andrii Shaida, described the idea of reducing the bus fleet as populist. He believes that without a review of routes and cooperation with private carriers, the new transport will not necessarily improve transportation. Other changes in the city's transport are explained in the material about fares for travel in Zhytomyr.