The Verkhovna Rada adopted draft law № 5651−2 on reforming the system of concessionary passenger transport, the press service of the Ministry for Restoration, Infrastructure and Transport reported.
The law is intended to replace the current non-transparent mechanism with a single state system for accounting trips and compensating transport operators, while all existing concessions are preserved.
Unified trip accounting system and payment to transport operators
The document introduces automated accounting of all concessionary trips through a special state system so that every trip is confirmed and recorded. Transport operators must receive payment for trips actually made, and communities will have a transparent settlement mechanism.
“Today we have a situation where the state guarantees concessions, but transport operators often do not receive proper compensation for such trips, and a person entitled to a concession cannot use that right. Draft law № 5651−2 lays the foundation for changing this system. Every concessionary trip must be recorded, the carrier must be paid for it, and communities must have a transparent settlement mechanism. At the same time, all existing concessions are preserved,” said the Minister for Restoration, Infrastructure and Transport Mykola Kalashnyk.
Monetisation of concessions through bank cards
The law provides for monetisation of concessions by means of special bank cards for passengers who are entitled to concessionary travel. Monetisation of concessions means paying or crediting funds via a card instead of travelling free or at a reduced rate using a paper ID.
For passengers, this means using concessions without conflicts and checks of paper IDs; for communities, that budgets will pay only for trips actually made; for transport operators, a guarantee of payment for every concessionary trip.
Transition period
The draft law provides for a transition period until 1 July 2028.
The number of people entitled to concessions does not change: “all existing concessions are preserved,” the document says. At present, passengers who use paper IDs will subsequently receive special cards, and communities will pay for trips based on their actual performance.
