Keynote reports were delivered by Head of the Republic of Buryatia, Chairman of the State Council’s Effective Transport System Commission and Member of the State Council Presidium Alexei Tsydenov and Minister of Transport Andrei Nikitin. Head of the Executive Committee of the Russian Popular Front Mikhail Kuznetsov presented the results of monitoring attitudes to the operation of the public transportation system. Remarks and comments on issues under discussion also came from Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin, Murmansk Region Governor Andrei Chibis, Minister of Finance Anton Siluanov, Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, and Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov.
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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Colleagues, good afternoon,
Today, we are discussing a matter of paramount importance for millions of our fellow citizens: the development of public transport. Three years ago, we considered these issues and adopted a series of targeted decisions. Since then, we have seen certain positive developments; nevertheless, a considerable number of challenges persist in this sphere.
Public transport is about the ability to reach one’s workplace, kindergarten, school, university, or outpatient clinic quickly and in comfort. Let me recall that we have set ourselves the objective that, by 2030, in agglomerations and cities, the share of rolling stock whose service life does not exceed the prescribed standard should reach at least 85 percent. This requirement encompasses all forms of public transport and, I would underscore, also applies to towns with populations below 50,000. I would ask you to report today on how this task is being fulfilled.
At the same time, it is evident that the mere renewal of the fleet does not in itself guarantee convenient and high-quality transport services. It is essential that trolleybuses, trams, buses, and commuter trains adhere to their schedules, that passengers travel safely, and that fares remain accessible. This must be the case in our major metropolitan centres, in small towns, in rural areas, and indeed in remote localities – and, of course, in core communities.
Mobility is one of the fundamental factors of modern life. People must be confident that transport issues will in no way impede their plans or daily concerns, and that all the circumstances of Russian families’ lives will be duly taken into account. Accordingly, when organising transport services, we must respond to the requests of local residents and address the needs of large families. For instance, according to surveys conducted by the Russian Popular Front, the largest number of complaints concern violations of route schedules: sometimes – as is well known – buses arrive one after another in a convoy, while at other times people are left waiting for them for hours.
Colleagues,
Modernising public transport, alongside healthcare and housing and utilities, is a key priority for regional and municipal authorities. Our country already has examples of comprehensive, genuinely breakthrough public transport reforms that are genuinely focused on residents’ needs. Major cities such as Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, Yekaterinburg, and Chelyabinsk are leading the way. The Omsk Region is a leader in digital integration, and the Kemerovo Region was among the first to introduce a contract-based system for public transport. Rapid modernisation is underway in Primorye and here, in Buryatia. In the Murmansk Region, transport is being improved with the northern Arctic environment in mind, and in the Ivanovo Region, a ground-level metro system recently opened.
These achievements are not only the result of budget funding and other investment instruments. Smart, forward-looking management approaches play a huge role – above all, the close alignment of transport systems with urban development policy, including consideration for the growth of core communities.
It is also important to make greater use of artificial intelligence capabilities to forecast demand and streamline schedules and route networks. Such technologies can dramatically improve the efficiency of public transport.
I would also ask you to bear in mind the need to implement quality standards for public transport, as required by current legislation. At present, only 34 Russian regions have adopted them. The Government, together with the State Council, should therefore assist the regions by developing a set of indicators that characterise the quality of public transport services.
Subsequently, it will be necessary to amend the Infrastructure for Life national project to include specific benchmarks. These will provide a basis for evaluating regional performance in this area.
Colleagues,
Upgrading public transport requires considerable financial investment. Overall, there is a clear trend towards modernisation across the country: modern buses, trams, and electric buses have appeared on our streets as a result of federal programmes, regional procurement, and leasing arrangements. Since 2020, over 20,000 vehicles have been replaced as part of this fleet renewal.
However, given the heavy burden on regional and municipal budgets, passenger transport remains one of the most vulnerable sectors. For most regions, addressing these challenges continues to be a challenge.
The relevant commission of the State Council has put forward proposals for additional funding sources. First and foremost, it proposes channelling a portion of road funds towards the modernisation of public transport and improving transport services. According to the authors, formalising such expenditure as a separate budget line would strengthen the guarantees and reliability of the state’s social obligations – since access to public transport is a fundamental condition for the realisation of citizens’ constitutional rights to work, education, healthcare, and so on. State Council representatives also have proposals for identifying sources to replenish road funds. Let us discuss all of this today.
Futhermore, the rules governing the provision of targeted subsidies for public transport development should allow for a broader range of uses, giving regions greater flexibility in deciding how to spend the allocated funds. This should include the development of public transport infrastructure, including passenger stops.
I repeat: regions have different financial potetials, and the terms of federal co-funding for transport purchases should take this into account.
Transport safety is extremely important. Public transport still includes many unscrupulous and even semi-criminal operators that violate transportation regulations and profit at the expense of safety. This situation must be brought under control.
I would also like to add that I am aware of the discussion surrounding the so-called “guaranteed carrier.” This would involve assigning certain transport companies responsibility for ensuring uninterrupted transport services in a particular region.
The law does not have a definition of this concept yet but clearly, it could be a promising approach. I ask the government and the relevant State Council commission to submit proposals on this issue, taking into account the development of financial and economic models for such carriers and, of course, the specifics of different regions.
The issue of monopolisation may arise here. Monopolies can have negative consequences, and this must certainly be taken into consideration. However, introducing this type of carrier would undoubtedly facilitate the systematic procurement of vehicles, which is also important, as it would provide, or at least increase, guaranteed demand for our industrial enterprises. We need to ensure a consistent pace of procurement. The government has already been instructed to address this issue, but it has not yet been fully resolved. It is also time to actively advance toward concluding long-term contracts covering several years. This would significantly facilitate production planning for vehicle manufacturers. I would like to ask my colleagues to take respective decisions on this matter.
Another important issue is the operation of public transport in our historical territories. We must pay close attention to restoring transport services, modernising the infrastructure, and expanding route networks.
A few words about commuter rail services. This is a complex issue, but it is of great, if not overwhelming importance to our citizens. I know that work is already underway. Moscow and the Moscow Region have jointly implemented a project to transform the traditional commuter rail system into an above-ground metro. Four Moscow Central Diameters have connected the capital with the Moscow Region, improving transport services for millions of people. I hope that all the necessary decisions on commuter rail services will be duly made.
Today, I focused on the most significant issues. The relevant State Council commission has examined this entire range of issues comprehensively and in detail, so I would like to ask you to speak briefly and to the point.
Let us get down to the discussion. I will give the floor to Chairman of the commission Alexei Tsydenov, Head of the Republic of Buryatia, where we are now.
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Vladimir Putin: Colleagues, does anyone want to add anything or make a comment? Anyone?
This is a very important matter. Of course, we must thank the State Council commission, Mr Tsydenov and his colleagues who worked on this agenda. However, this does not mean that there is no need to fine-tune these proposals. The Finance Minister and the Central Bank Governor have already raised this point during this meeting. We must make sure to hear them, since this is far from a trivial matter. The Interior Ministry also voiced its concerns. There are issues that require careful review.
Tightening the liability of transport operators in breach of regulations governing scheduled transit services is one such issue. Who will operate as a guarantor transport operator? This is about municipal enterprises. There was a proposal to have unitary municipal enterprises. But how can municipalities hold their own municipal enterprises to account?
Alexei Tsydenov: They account for 30 percent of transit.
Vladimir Putin: At the level of 30 percent, the corresponding anti-trust agencies must look into this issue. We have yet to see how it works out. In any case, there are questions which… I am not saying that this should not be approved, but there is no doubt that further improvements are needed. Is that agreed?
Overall, I would like to thank you for contributing to today’s meeting. Make no mistake, as I said in my opening remarks, this is undoubtedly one of the most important tracks in what we are doing together. I suggest that we further improve and adopt this list of instructions.
Thank you.