Over twenty transportation workers contemplate refraining from utilizing the recently implemented transportation route.
Bus drivers in Yakutsk, Russia, are raising a ruckus about their new route, No.12, threatening to call it quits if things don't change. In a recent gathering at the NGO "SoyuzAuto," these drivers voiced their concerns, primarily about the decrease in earnings on this route when compared to their abolished routes, No.15 and No.25. They claim the conditions on route No.12 are unfavorable.
Route representative Arthur Mirzoian expressed their frustration during the meeting, stating, "We've slaved away for years, and they suddenly shut down the 15th route. We don't need the 12th route; we can't even afford the garage. It's a dog-eat-dog world now, all about speed. Everything's getting more costly, and they're piloting the new route at our expense. All the drivers are bailing from the transportation game."
The main struggle concerns the meager earnings on the new, trial route No.12. Additionally, drivers lament escalating fuel prices, payment delays for their services, and cashless payment issues with "Almazergienbank." They're even discussing a shift to construction work.
NGO "SoyuzAuto" head, Andrey Kositskiy, addressed the drivers, labelling their actions as an unlawful mini-strike. He pointed out the existing driver shortage and the extended gaps between buses on route No.15 as a result.
Deputy of the Il Tumen Parliament, Vladimir Fedorov, attended the meeting and called for addressing the issues. He explained that the clients of the service aren't the mayor's office but the people of Yakutsk. He also noted numerous unaddressed problems caused by the bus reform and emphasized the need for 30, not 7, buses on the route.
Kositskiy mentioned that alternative routes would be offered to drivers but restoring routes No.15 and No.25 isn't a viable option. Yet, he acknowledged that route No.12 needs improvements.
As of the evening of December 9, no agreements have been reached between the mayor's office and the drivers. Arthur Mirzoian reported that 24 drivers are prepared to abandon route No.12.
Industry is affected as bus drivers in Yakutsk consider leaving their positions, threatening to disrupt the transportation sector. The drivers' struggle includes financial concerns, such as decreasing earnings, escalating fuel prices, payment delays, and cashless payment issues with the finance institution "Almazergienbank."
