Public transport
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing
Date: 2024-02-07 14:48
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 13
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 13m
AI Summaries: 13/13 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The session addressed an interpellation directed at Regional Minister Madis Kallas concerning the introduction of fares for working-age passengers on county public transport lines. The question was posed by Riigikogu member Vadim Belobrovtsev, who sharply criticized the government's move, deeming it a disproportionate burden on rural residents given the current difficult economic climate (high inflation, tax increases). Belobrovtsev questioned whether this measure was driven by a genuine need to improve the public transport network or was merely ideological policy, and demanded concrete plans regarding investments and new routes.
Regional Minister Madis Kallas defended the decision, stressing that free public transport had failed to achieve its goal of encouraging working-age people to switch from private cars to public transport. The Minister explained that ticket revenue is vital for covering the growing deficit in state public transport subsidies, which runs into the tens of millions. Kallas also introduced the planned "Mobility Reform," which consists of five pillars (analyses, route network reform, a unified ticketing system, infrastructure investments, and administrative changes) and is scheduled to be launched in early 2025. He added that since the elderly and children under 19 constitute approximately 80% of county line users and will retain their right to free travel, the impact on family budgets is limited. The initial analysis results regarding changes in passenger numbers are expected by the beginning of April.
Decisions Made 1
The agenda item discussed was an informative Q&A session, and therefore, no formal decisions were adopted.
Most Active Speaker
The most active politician identified by a personal ID (PID) was Vadim Belobrovtsev (t_eY-4TMMlc). He submitted both an initial query and a detailed, clarifying follow-up question to the Minister of Regional Affairs, sharply challenging the validity and timing of reintroducing paid public transport. Belobrovtsev represented a critical, left-wing, or centrist position, defending the concept of free public transport based on the socio-economic well-being of rural residents.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar directs the fourth question to Regional Minister Madis Kallas, and Riigikogu member Vadim Belobrovtsev asks about public transport.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The question is whether you failed to take the procedural action.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that procedural questions are not currently being accepted because the period for accepting them has concluded, and the right to ask the question has been granted to Vadim Belobrovtsev.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev expresses concern that free public transport in the counties has become paid, and asks for a concrete plan regarding new lines, routes, and state investments, as well as whether this step is truly beneficial to locals or if it is typical Reform Party policy that excludes them.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar addresses the minister with a request.
Regionaalminister Madis Kallas
AI Summary
Regional Minister Madis Kallas announced that starting January 22nd, public transport will become paid for working-age passengers in counties where it was previously free, with Põlva and Võru counties joining this system on April 1st. He noted that the first two weeks have gone smoothly and no sanctions are currently planned. Moving forward, the mobility reform will be implemented through five key pillars—analyses, route network reform, a unified ticketing system, infrastructure investments, and administrative changes—all aimed at providing clearer and better public transport services.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked everyone and invited Vadim Belobrovtsev to ask a clarifying question.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
In Vadim Belobrovtsev's statement, it was noted that a single ticket will cost 1.5–2 euros depending on the region, and a monthly pass will be 25 euros (up from the initially promised 20). This means the annual cost of travel using a monthly pass will be about 300 euros, or up to 520 euros per person if using single tickets. Furthermore, inflation and tax hikes are making the situation even more difficult. Therefore, the question is being asked whether it is right and reasonable under the current circumstances to end free bus travel and start charging people fares.
Regionaalminister Madis Kallas
AI Summary
Regional Minister Madis Kallas stated that the 25-euro monthly ticket was developed in cooperation with stakeholders and is affordable enough not to overly burden family budgets. He added that although free public transport for the working-age population will be discontinued, the reform is expected to reintroduce commercial lines and improve the route network—a goal also stressed by local governments and employers, who have pledged to either support the initiative or compensate their staff.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked [the previous speaker/the audience] and asked Aleksei Yevgrafov to present an additional question.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Aleksei Jevgrafov expresses regret that people now have to pay for bus tickets themselves, even though children, the elderly, and people with disabilities retain free travel. He notes the expansion of these plans and refers to an interview given in October, calling on the minister to share the results of the analysis regarding how the abandonment of free public transport has affected passenger numbers across different age and regional groups, and what real benefit this has brought to the state and its residents.
Regionaalminister Madis Kallas
AI Summary
Regional Minister Madis Kallas stated that free public transport applies only to specific counties, and Harju County is not included in this scheme. New sources of funding must be identified to cover the subsidy deficit, with initial information on these sources expected at the beginning of April. Concurrently, the mobility reform is set to launch at the start of 2025, with plans to raise ticket prices to between 0 and 1.50 euros—while preserving existing benefits for the elderly and youth—to cover the initial revenue target of 2–3 million euros and ensure service accessibility.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked the Regional Minister and commended him for the three-minute answers and for timing the responses with a stopwatch, saying that he would conclude the handling of today's fourth question.