In Lviv, carriers have initiated an increase in the cost of public transport in order to maintain the trend towards improving the provision of passenger transportation services in the community. Currently, the Lviv City Council Economic Development Department is analyzing the tariffs provided by carriers, only after that a decision will be made on the appropriateness of adjusting the cost of travel. At the same time, the cost of cash payments will definitely not be revised. This was stated during a briefing by the director of the Department of Urban Mobility and Street Infrastructure Oleh Zabarylo.
“There is an appeal from road carriers to revise tariffs. Currently, the calculations provided by carriers are sent to the Department of Economic Development. Specialists will analyze all components of costs and after that there will be an understanding of further actions. I think it will be next month,” said Oleg Zabarylo.
The official noted that the appeal from carriers to change tariffs had objective reasons. Thus, as of now, the average tariff in Lviv, taking into account the ratio of cash and non-cash payments, preferential travel, free transfers, is slightly more than 13 UAH. While since the launch of the e-ticket it was 17.5 UAH. That is, the cost of one single trip decreased by approximately 4 UAH. Which, accordingly, affects the financial and economic condition of transport companies.
“Since the beginning of last year, the average fare, taking into account various types of payments, was 17.5 UAH. But during this period, the percentage of passengers who pay in cash has significantly decreased. And since people began to switch from cash to card payments, the average fare began to decrease systematically. New options were also introduced that are convenient and profitable for passengers, but have affected the financial and economic condition of transport companies. These are, in particular, free transfers. After all, if people used to travel by two or three buses, trams or trolleybuses to their destination and paid for each trip separately, now they pay once within 40 minutes. Therefore, we observe that the average fare has decreased – to a little more than 13 UAH for one trip. In addition, we are now in the final stages of launching a monthly pass, which, in fact, provoked a wave of indignation from the carriers. After all, we want to launch the pass in the format of unlimited trips, which will be more profitable for the passenger, but less profitable for the carrier,” said Oleg Zabarylo.
He clarified that according to the calculations provided by the carriers, the cost of one trip should be more than 30 UAH. This tariff includes the driver’s salary with accruals, fuel and lubricants, depreciation, maintenance and repairs of buses, other expenses and the company’s profit.
“Considering the current situation, such a cost is clearly unacceptable. And having analyzed all the components of the costs, we will come to an objective figure. We will definitely not revise the cash payment – the cost of this type of payment will remain unchanged,” said Oleg Zabarylo.
If the revision of tariffs for cashless payment is appropriate, carriers will have to adhere to mandatory conditions – to maintain the dynamics of improving the quality of services and renew the rolling stock.
“We are planning additional meetings with carriers to hear their position on the modernization of transport and the increase in the production of vehicles, which they declared. Last year, they purchased about 80 buses – although used, but low-floor and with air conditioning. They can already be seen on routes No. 23, No. 41 and No. 84. This is a positive step, and it is important that this trend continues, because the quality of transportation should improve, and passengers should feel it,” said the director of the Department of Urban Mobility and Street Infrastructure.
In a number of cities of Ukraine (Vinnytsia, Odesa, Dnipro) the cost of public transport has already increased. (Lviv City Council)