Ukraine, Slovakia simplify procedure for opening bus routes

The Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine and the Ministry of Transport of Slovakia have agreed to simplify the procedure for opening international bus routes between the countries.

This was reported by the Infrastructure Ministry’s press service, according to Ukrinform.

It is noted that this is the termination of the stipulation requiring a carrier to have a parity partner from another country. The decision was ratified at a meeting of the Joint Commission on May 31.

In addition, the parties agreed to consider applications for opening routes within 30 days, which will significantly speed up the process of opening and launching new routes.

The Slovak side emphasized that only one bus can depart from one bus station on one international route on one day.

"We are consistently working to simplify the opening of international bus routes with other countries. The requirement for a parity partner to open a route complicates the procedure, creates bureaucratic obstacles for the carrier, and does not actually influence the balance in the bilateral passenger transportation market. I am grateful to my Slovak colleagues for supporting the abolition of this rule," said Deputy Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development Serhiy Derkach.

As ported, in April, Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine and the Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs of Montenegro agreed on the possibility of non-parity passenger transportation for Ukrainian companies. The parties agreed that if the Montenegrin carrier refuses to operate the route, the Ukrainian company could operate the route independently.