Yakutsk overhauls bus routes and tackles driver shortages to fix transport chaos

Yakutsk is reviewing its public transport system to address ongoing issues. Mayor Yevgeny Grigoryev is leading a major overhaul of bus routes to fix imbalances and excessive journey times. The changes come as residents report growing frustration with service reliability. Private operators have struggled to maintain schedules, leaving passengers facing long waits between buses. Soyuz Avto, one of the main carriers, achieved only 75% schedule compliance, far below the 99.6% rate of municipal operator YAPAK. Last week alone, 46 complaints were filed about problems like broken digital displays and inaccurate tracking services.

A driver shortage is worsening the situation. Soyuz Avto currently employs around 350 drivers but needs at least 200 more to run the network smoothly. To tackle this, the company is training new drivers, offering housing support, and considering recruitment from CIS countries. Subsidised mortgages are also being explored to attract staff. Drivers in Yakutsk earn between 60,000 and 100,000 rubles ($650–$1,100) monthly, depending on their hours. They work rotating shifts, as services run daily, including holidays.

Route adjustments are underway, with a tender planned by March 2024 to service routes under a new transport scheme. The resumption of bus traffic along Lenin Avenue, initially delayed, is now expected by late November. All routes that previously used the avenue will return once it reopens. The city aims to stabilise services through route optimisation and driver recruitment. The March tender will finalise the new network, while ongoing training and incentives seek to fill the driver gap. Residents may see gradual improvements as these measures take effect.