Since January 10 in Irkutsk, minibus fares rose from 12 to 15 rubles, after carriers sought the increase for over a year. The article explains why the fare rose, how it was justified by the Irkutsk Region Tariff Service, and why carriers still find the new price too low. It also compares with Angarsk and Bratsk, where fares are already higher.
Since January 10, passengers have seen new fares on minibuses. The fare has gone up by three rubles. Now, for a ride on public transport, you need to pay not 12 rubles, but a full 15. However, in the region’s cities, the price of a ticket is significantly higher. For example, in Angarsk and Bratsk, passengers pay 16 and 18 rubles respectively. But still, for many, three rubles is money.Let us recall that Irkutsk carriers had been seeking this increase for more than a year. They needed to gather at least ten carriers and justify the fare to the Tariff Service of the Irkutsk Region. The group, it must be said, did not come together quickly. And only in December 2015 did the documents reach the agency. As a result, the order to increase the fare was signed by the head of the Tariff Service of the Irkutsk Region on December 29, 2015.
According to the chairman of the carriers’ union, Sergei Oshurkov, this measure was forced. The fare on public transport in Irkutsk had not changed for 7 years. During that time, the cost of maintaining the vehicles had risen significantly.
Still, the minibus drivers are not very happy about this either:
- We did not get what we wanted. This will not cover our needs. Some of the buses will be repaired, but that is not enough. We would like the fare to be within 20 rubles. Then there would be more opportunities to restore order and buy equipment, says Sergei Oshurkov.
Would you agree to pay more if public transport were cleaner and more comfortable?