Drivers refuse to transport beneficiaries: what should combatants do

According to hvylya.net: Combatants, persons with disabilities due to war, and those equated to them have a legal right to free travel on public transport.

However, there are often cases where drivers of private minivans refuse to transport beneficiaries without payment, writes RBC-Ukraine.

According to the Law of Ukraine 'On the Status of War Veterans', free travel is provided for:

• combatants and equated persons;
• persons with disabilities due to war;
• persons accompanying persons with disabilities of group I.

'The benefit applies if you have an established identity card, and in case of introducing electronic accounting, also an electronic ticket, which is issued free of charge,' explains the lawyer.

Beneficiaries have the right to free travel on all types of transport:

• urban passenger transport;
• public transport in rural areas;
• rail and water transport for suburban communication;
• buses of suburban and intermunicipal routes.

According to the lawyer, a driver's refusal to transport a beneficiary is a violation of the law. Such situations often arise because the government or local authorities do not compensate carriers for the cost of preferential trips.

If a driver demands payment or evicts from the minibus, it is advisable to file a complaint with:

• the carrier;
• the local self-government authority or executive authority that contracted with the carrier;
• Ukrtranssecurity, National Police, or State Consumer Service.

Thus, combatants have clearly defined legal rights to free travel, and the refusal of carriers to provide such a service is a violation of legislation that can be challenged in competent authorities.