The number of social buses reduced in Odesa: the reason named by the city council

In Odesa, the number of social buses on city routes was decreased following an increase in the release of trams and trolleybuses. Some routes duplicated the directions of electric transport, which created competition and affected the income of carriers. This was reported at a meeting of the permanent commission of the Odesa City Council on transport and road management.

Why there are fewer social buses in Odesa

The issue was discussed at a meeting of the permanent commission of the Odesa City Council on transport and road management. The deputies were interested in why there were fewer buses, particularly on routes that do not have direct tram or trolleybus services.

The Department of Transport explained that the decision is related to the increase in the number of electric transport of KP «Odesmiskelektrotrans».

«Where trams and trolleybuses did not travel, social buses come in,» explained a department representative.

According to him, some bus routes duplicated tram and trolleybus routes. Because of this, competition arose not only within municipal transport. Private carriers also complained that due to the increase in municipal transport, they could not meet established revenue plans.

Deputies want to return social buses to the routes

Members of the transport commission questioned this approach. They emphasized that social buses are inclusive and convenient for passengers, and their reduction could actually strengthen the positions of private marshrutkas.

«People are just starting to get used to normal transport, and here we start removing quality buses, inclusive ones that are really needed. And people talk about this, saying that it's great transport and it needs to be used,» they stated during the meeting.

The deputies proposed to use municipal buses as an alternative to private carriers. According to them, the city has 25 such vehicles, and they should transport passengers every day.

«We have 25 quality buses, they should operate. They need to work every day so that people can use them,» they emphasized during the discussion.

The transport department agreed that social buses need to be preserved on the streets of Odesa. At the same time, routes must be formed in such a way that they do not duplicate electric transport. It was also reported at the meeting that new long trams have already begun to be used on one of the city routes.

It is reminded that on August 25 in Odesa, due to the disconnection of substations, some trams and trolleybuses did not run.