Ukraine introduces first digital permits for interregional passenger transport
Ukraine’s Ministry for Communities and Territories Development has begun issuing the first electronic permits for interregional bus routes.
The new system already covers nearly 40 carriers that were selected as winners of a relevant competition held on 16 March.
The digitalisation of the process is intended to significantly reduce bureaucratic procedures and increase transparency in the passenger transport sector.
According to Deputy Minister for Communities and Territories Development Serhii Derkach, the transition to the new format has made it possible to considerably speed up the issuance of permits.
“A digital permit is about speed, transparency and control. Moreover, it took effectively just 10 days from the competition to the issuance of route permits,” the official said in a statement released by the ministry.
So far, permits have been issued for 37 routes connecting different parts of the country. Key routes include connections between Kyiv and Mykolaiv, Sumy, Novodnistrovsk and Kamin-Kashyrskyi.
Digital permits have also been granted for routes such as Ternopil–Skhidnytsia, Rivne–Novovolynsk, Brody–Lutsk, and Kamianets-Podilskyi–Kharkiv.
To operate within the new system, carriers only need to generate an electronic document in the database. Each permit contains a unique QR code, which significantly simplifies oversight procedures.
By scanning the code, authorities can instantly verify the legality of a route, check schedules and confirm that vehicles comply with established requirements.
It should be noted that Ukraine’s parliament has recently called on the government to increase the minimum pension.
