Yakutsk's Mayor Pushes Reforms to Fix Overcrowded Public Transport

Yakutsk’s public transport system is facing ongoing congestion during peak hours and on busy routes. Mayor Yevgeny Grigoryev has publicly criticised its performance and proposed several changes to improve services. Last week, a professional skills competition for bus drivers took place in Yakutsk. Winners will receive cash prizes directly from the mayor. The jury will also decide the winner of the 'Best Urban Passenger Route 2023' award based on schedule adherence and the absence of public complaints.

Grigoryev suggested reducing intervals between buses and adding more vehicles during peak times. He also proposed deploying new buses on city routes to ease congestion. Larger-capacity buses will now serve suburban routes at the busiest hours.

Authorities confirmed that reallocating buses from suburban areas is not possible. However, schedule adherence has already shown a slight improvement, rising by 3% in the third quarter. The mayor’s proposals aim to tackle persistent transport delays in Yakutsk. Cash rewards for drivers and new route adjustments are part of the plan. These measures are expected to enhance service reliability and passenger experience.