Bus routes in Ukraine 'unfrozen': carriers will be able to open new directions themselves

In Ukraine, the procedure for opening interregional bus routes has been changed: now carriers can independently propose new directions if they see demand for connections between cities and communities. The entire process - from submitting an initiative to obtaining a route passport - has been transferred to an electronic format.

The Ministry of Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine reported this.

The ministry noted that the route network had actually remained frozen for 14 years. Previously, a carrier could not independently open a new direction: it was necessary to wait until the state formed a route, carried out the necessary approvals, and put it out to tender.

Now a carrier that sees stable passenger demand on a certain direction can itself initiate the creation of a new interregional route.

First Deputy Minister Serhiy Derkach explained that the need to update the route network especially increased after the start of the full-scale war. Due to population displacement, people's places of residence and work changed, and new centers of passenger demand appeared.

A new route can be processed online

For this purpose, a special online cabinet was launched in the Unified Complex of Information Systems of Ukrtransbezpeka.

The carrier can enter information about the future route, create a draft electronic passport, sign documents with a qualified electronic signature, and send them for approval.

The electronic passport will contain the route scheme and schedule, work and rest schedule for drivers, fare table, and other necessary information. After final approval, the document will receive a unique identification number and QR code.

The National Police will have up to seven working days to approve the route scheme. If within this period it does not provide approval or a reasoned refusal, the route will be considered approved.

After this, the transport organizer must decide on the opening of the route within 30 days.

In addition, instead of paper collection of passenger flow information, electronic questionnaires are being introduced.

The first new route is to be opened after a 14-year pause

The ministry stated that thanks to the new procedure, an absolutely new interregional bus route should appear in Ukraine for the first time in 14 years. Its direction was not yet named in the announcement.

In parallel, the state is transferring other stages of the bus market to electronic format. Previously, tenders for interregional routes and the issuance of permits were digitalized. In the near future, it is planned to approve the results of a tender for 250 routes, while earlier, according to the new procedure, a tender for another 200 routes has already been conducted.

The ministry called on carriers to submit proposals for new routes where stable passenger demand exists but bus connections are insufficient.

Based on materials: Ministry of Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine