Head of Transport Safety Service— on digitalization, security and transport liberalization

Interview with Head of the State Service of Ukraine for Transport Safety Mykyta Lahunin

Author: Dmytro Koshovy

Let's start with bus transportation because many citizens are interested in this topic in the summer. Even the MPs introduced a bill requiring that every intercity bus have working toilets and air conditioning systems, and granting the State Transport Safety Service the authority to inspect and fine carriers in this regard. How ready is the bus market for the peak of passenger transportation, and what are you doing to ensure that our citizens receive quality services during the war?

Thank you for your question. This is a really important topic. There is news about inadequate service every week. We regularly have preventive conversations with carriers about the importance of providing quality service. However, you should understand that the State Transport Safety Service does not have the authority to control the quality of transportation services.

Then please explain what your current powers are in this sector?

As a state authority, we act within the limits and manner prescribed by legislation. We check many aspects, including technical and safety aspects, as well as compliance with license conditions. Regarding sanitary standards, legislators decided at one point that the State Transport Safety Service had too much power, so they removed its control in this area.

The intercity and international bus transportation market grew exponentially during the war. What are the dynamics of this growth?

After the full-scale invasion began in 2022, air traffic was blocked and rail transport was restricted, so we saw a surge in bus transportation. Specifically, we issued 783 licenses for passenger bus