I. Metshin: “The new transport network will be developed taking into account the opinion of the citizens”

(KZN.RU, July 31, Anton Nozdrin). Development of a new route network of passenger transport of the city until 2023 began in Kazan. Such large-scale work should be carried out taking into account the wishes and appeals of the city's residents. Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, expressed such an opinion at today’s Business Monday.

Aidar Abdulkhakov, the chairman of the Transport Committee, said that there are several reasons for developing a new scheme. One of the main factors was the urban sprawl. Also, according to recommendations of industry normative documents, it is necessary to conduct a survey of passenger traffic every five years, on the basis of which the route network is adjusted. The last survey was conducted in Kazan 8 years ago in 2009. The number of vehicles during this time has increased significantly. In addition, the term of contracts with carriers serving the municipal route network expires in the spring of 2018.

The competition for the development of the new scheme was announced on May 31 this year, reported Aidar Abdulkhakov. Nikolay Asaul, the deputy minister of Transport of the RF, representatives of the Ministry of Transport of the RF, and project managers took an active part in the work of the commission.

In total, 7 applications were submitted for the competition. “The evaluation of participants' applications was carried out according to the indicators of qualification, business reputation, experience in performing similar works, and qualitative characteristics. Also, the candidates had to offer options for improving the work performed”, said A. Abdulkhakov. As a result, the Moscow organization “Scientific Research Institute of Automobile Transport” (NIIAT) outscored.

A. Abdulkhakov explained that the work on the terms of reference will be carried out in several stages within 5 months. The delivery of the project is planned for December of this year. Afterward, the work will be sent for examination, which will be carried out by 2 world-known experts.

It is necessary to develop at least 2 variants of the scheme on the terms of reference. One of them is as close as possible to the existing one. The other one provides the creation of several options for an effective network, depending on the level of quality indicators, tariffs, and the amount of budget subsidies. “Currently, the contract for the development of a route network is signed with the NIIAT, which is located in the Unified Information System in the field of procurement”, said A. Abdulkhakov.

A new scheme of the route network will be discussed with the residents of the city. All the wishes will be sent to the NIIAT.

Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, marked the importance of working with the population in this matter. He noted that the scheme should be developed, based on the wishes of Kazan citizens. “I ask you to take into account the appeals of the residents, for the sake of which we work, for the sake of which the changes will be made”, he noted. The Mayor of Kazan instructed heads of districts’ administrations to hold roundtables with residents on the topic of a new transport scheme.

The Mayor of Kazan once again marked the seriousness of the issue. “Public transport performs an important role and develops with the city. We need to make a good project. The new transport network must meet the requirements of future and the daily needs of those who use it”, said I. Metshin.