Denied Financing: Yakutsk Dismisses 109 Route to Jatay
In the Siberian city of Yakutsk, residents are grappling with worsening public transport issues, particularly on the bus route No. 109 to Zhatay. The route, crucial for many commuters who travel for work and studies, is currently experiencing significant operational difficulties, leading to service disruptions that impact daily commutes.
The root causes of these issues are manifold. Insufficient fleet and resources, maintenance and operational challenges, increased demand, infrastructure and traffic conditions, and administrative or budget constraints are all contributing factors. The shortage of buses, mechanical problems, traffic congestion, and potential delays in funding or management inefficiencies are causing inconvenience for the residents who rely on this route.
The mood among Yakutsk citizens regarding public transport is significantly negative, with many expressing their outrage over the route reforms. The "independence" of Zhatai is also turning into a problem for its residents, as the funding for the Yakutsk-Zhatay bus route was provided solely from the Yakutsk budget, amounting to tens of millions of rubles each year.
Recent events such as traffic jams due to snowfall and bus fare validators not working have further exacerbated the situation. In fact, an inspection by the Audit Chamber of Yakutsk in 2024 led to a court-imposed fine of 1.8 million rubles following the prosecutor's office's representation.
Minister Vladimir Sivtsev will have to address the chaotic situation in Zhatay earlier than the prosecutor's office does, as the Ministry of Transport is responsible for overseeing intercity transportation. However, the Yakutsk-Zhatay bus route funding issue was not included in the city budget for 2025, despite discussions with the Ministry of Transport, the leadership of Zhatai, and the deputies of the Il Tumen.
Mayor Grigoryev has stated that the issues in Zhatai are not a problem of Yakutsk, but of the Ministry of Transport and Zhatai. Some city residents will have to pay more for transfers, but the bus schedule for the Yakutsk-Zhatay route has not been affected by the recent changes in Yakutsk's public transport, as it was already reduced to once an hour since October 7.
As of the latest available information, authorities are likely working on solutions to restore reliable service on the Yakutsk-Zhatay bus route. Passengers may continue to face disruptions until then. For the latest local news or official announcements regarding this route, further information can be found from official sources.
The finance sector's inability to provide suitable funding for the Yakutsk-Zhatay bus route is causing a strain on the city's budget, while the industry and transportation sectors' issues with resources and maintenance are contributing to the operational difficulties. The residents' daily commutes are disrupted due to the shortage of buses, mechanical problems, and traffic congestion, which are compounded by administrative or budget constraints.