THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT PROPOSED TO MAKE TRAVELLING BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT FREE OF CHARGE

The Ministry of Transport admitted the possibility of introducing free public transport, however, on the condition that the car users pay for all the road travel.

The Ministry of Transport noted that the initiative can be implemented in Russian cities by 2035. According to RBC, in order to implement the idea, from 2025, a fee should be charged from the car users for traveling by the regional roads. By 2035, drivers of private cars will have to pay for all roads, including the urban ones.

It is assumed that through this funding scheme, public transport can be made free of charge.

The department believes that the initiative will contribute to the reduction of vehicles in large cities. The Ministry of Transport is also seeking to encourage Russians to switch to bicycles and scooters.

The ministry recalled that at the moment, residents of the country prefer personal transport, but not public. As the reason, the officials cite "a radical improvement of the roads conditions," especially in the European part of the Russian Federation. The situation is different only in Moscow, where, thanks to the convenient system of public transport and car sharing, it was possible to attract more passengers.