During a session of the Presidium of the State Council focused on transport development, President Vladimir Putin highlighted a peculiarity in the Russian transport sector: buses are the only major mode of transport without a officially determined service life. The remark was conveyed by the Kremlin press service. The president paused on this point, then added with a touch of incredulity, “Even that sounds odd, but it’s true.”
Beyond this unusual status, the head of state expressed concern about the financial realities faced by public transport drivers. He noted that in many regions wages for bus operators do not meet the national average, a situation that has eroded the profession’s prestige and diminished the staffing pool. Putin underscored that ensuring safe passenger transportation remains a challenging objective, requiring coordinated action from both central authorities and regional administrations.
He pressed for a concrete plan to raise the attractiveness of these essential roles. The aim, as he described it, is to make public transport a more desirable career path that can attract skilled personnel, retain experienced workers, and bolster safety standards across the system. This involves targeted measures to improve wages, career development opportunities, and working conditions so that drivers and related staff can perform their duties with confidence and pride.
The president did not stop at pay and recruitment. He emphasized a broader strategic mission: public transport should be a priority axis in Russia’s overall mobility strategy. Strengthening the reliability, efficiency, and safety of bus networks, rail links, and other urban and intercity services stands at the core of improving everyday life for millions of Russians and supporting economic activity. In this context, Putin called on the involved ministries and regional governments to develop and implement robust programs that align resources with the high social value of transportation for citizens and the economy alike.
According to official figures, more than 10 billion Russians travel using public transport over the course of a year, a metric that underscores the sector’s central role in daily life. This enormous volume of passenger traffic highlights the stakes: improvements in service quality, safety protocols, and workforce conditions can have wide-reaching effects on urban mobility, environmental performance, and regional development. The president’s remarks reflect a recognition that progress in public transport is not just about vehicles and routes, but about the people who operate them and the communities that rely on them every day.
Industry observers note that the debate around service life for fleet vehicles, salary scales for drivers, and the safety of passenger services intersects with broader questions of infrastructure funding, modernized traffic management, and the adoption of new technologies. Advances in digital ticketing, real-time vehicle tracking, driver training programs, and standardized maintenance schedules are all part of a modernizing agenda. The president’s emphasis on workforce appeal aligns with ongoing discussions about how to attract and retain qualified personnel in a sector that supports essential mobility for residents, commuters, and travelers alike.
In outlining concrete steps, the administration signaled the need for interagency collaboration. Regional administrations, transport departments, and social services were called upon to craft measures that raise the perceived value of public transport jobs. These might include wage reviews, expanded benefits, opportunities for advancement, and greater safety assurances for workers. By tying these initiatives to broader mobility targets, the government aims to create a more reliable and attractive system that serves the public good while sustaining economic activity across cities and regions.
Public transport is broadly acknowledged as a backbone of urban life, with buses and other modes forming a network meant to be accessible, safe, and efficient. Putin’s remarks place a spotlight on the human element of this system—drivers, maintenance personnel, dispatchers, and supervisors—who keep the wheels turning and the city moving. The leadership’s call for action reflects a belief that improving the professional conditions of transport workers is essential to elevating service standards, reducing turnover, and building public trust in the transportation framework.
As this policy conversation unfolds, observers will be watching how funding allocations, regulatory updates, and partner collaborations translate into tangible changes on the ground. The goal remains clear: to ensure that public transport not only fulfills its daily function but also serves as a model of efficiency, safety, and dignity for workers who dedicate themselves to moving millions of people each year. The dialogue continues, with the understanding that progress in public transport benefits every resident and strengthens the country’s economic and social fabric.