Entrepreneurs receiving warm subsidies from the Construction District Head: A commendable policy practice
In the chilly city of Yakutsk, Russia, heated bus stops have become a welcome addition to the public infrastructure, providing much-needed respite from the extreme cold. As of now, there are 11 heated bus stops in the district, with six belonging to the MAO "Center for Managing Public Spaces" of the "City of Yakutsk" and five to private entrepreneurs.
The practice of handing over heated bus stops to entrepreneurs has shown success, but entrepreneurs don't always take up the stops due to their goal of making a profit and choosing locations with high foot traffic. Two of the six municipal heated bus stops have been taken by entrepreneurs through a tender. The MAO "CIOP" services the stops belonging to the MAO "Center for Managing Public Spaces," while entrepreneurs service their own stops.
The city's mayor, Yevgeny Grigoryev, has ordered increased control over the sanitary condition, regular cleaning, and minor repairs of the heated bus stops. To ensure cleanliness, a contract for the cleaning of the stops has been signed and the cleaning has started since September 20, 2024.
Last winter's experience showed that including heated bus stops in patrol routes is effective, significantly reducing citizen complaints. In fact, the Yakutsk police have included heated bus stops in their patrol routes.
However, concerns about funding for the maintenance of bus stops, not just heated ones, persist. There are no plans to increase the number of heated bus stops in 2024-2025, unless private entrepreneurs come forward with a proposal to install them. The three remaining municipal heated bus stops will be put up for tender again.
Despite the challenges posed by high energy costs, maintenance difficulties due to harsh weather, and funding constraints from municipal budgets, proposed solutions typically include improving insulation and energy efficiency, seeking additional budget allocations or public-private partnerships, and implementing regular maintenance schedules to ensure operational reliability.
Unfortunately, young people in the city have been vandalizing new bus shelters with graffiti, which is a problem that needs to be addressed. One heated bus stop on Zhornitskogo Street is currently under repair and restoration work and will be launched closer to September 25.
The entrepreneurs who got the stops are satisfied because the locations are busy and have traffic. The success of these partnerships underscores the importance of balancing entrepreneurial interests with the needs of the public.
In conclusion, while there are challenges to maintaining and funding heated bus stops in Yakutsk, the city is taking active steps towards ensuring their cleanliness, maintenance, and continued operation. The focus now shifts towards addressing the broader issues with bus stops and seeking innovative solutions to ensure their long-term sustainability.
The success of private entrepreneurs running heated bus stops highlights the intersection of industry and finance, as they aim to generate profit while serving the public. To maintain the bus stops' cleanliness and ensure their operational reliability, the city considers potential solutions such as improving insulation, seeking partnerships, and establishing regular maintenance schedules – measures that also impact the transportation sector. Furthermore, the city administration is looking for more private entrepreneurs who might propose installing additional heated bus stops, thus offering an opportunity for further investments in the transport sector and potential collaboration between finance and industry.
