Miory Regional Executive Committee
The President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, emphasized the necessity of establishing uniform and strict rules of the game for the passenger road transport sector. He made these remarks at a meeting on passenger transport issues, reported a BELTA correspondent.
"We are addressing this issue not merely due to a series of road incidents, but also because there are numerous areas and matters in our country that remain unregulated. Given that this concerns the safety of people, our citizens (not to mention tax compliance, as abuses are widespread in this area), this matter requires systematic regulation," the Belarusian leader noted.
"Today, we must thoroughly examine the situation and establish uniform rules of the game for all parties involved. These rules must be strict, transparent, and clear. There is no need to pressure, harass, or dismiss anyone. The rules of the game must be identical for everyone—both legal and illegal operators, as well as organized and unorganized services. All must operate under a single set of rules. Strict compliance is mandatory. Any deviation will be met with appropriate measures. We need to define the functions the state will assume as a regulator: how comprehensive oversight will be implemented in this sector, and what additional obligations will be imposed on transport providers," the President stated.
The Head of State noted that the issue of passenger road transport covers minibus services operating within cities and between populated areas, as well as taxi vehicles.
"The state has two fundamental requirements for this sector. First — ensuring public safety. This form of transport is utilized by a large number of our citizens and foreign visitors. Second — ensuring the lawful operations of transport providers. At present, revenues are systematically underreported and concealed, wages are paid off-the-books, and significant tax liabilities are evaded. Law enforcement agencies are responsible for monitoring this area. I expect Kubrakov, together with Tertel (the heads of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Committee for State Security, respectively. — BELTA note), to provide me with a report before the New Year to enable timely decision-making. Further discussion is unnecessary. Any failure to pay taxes will be met with full legal consequences (referring to prosecution in accordance with the law. — BELTA note)," the Head of State stated.
He noted that, in practice, not all participants in this business adhere to the clear and fair rules: "As inspections by the State Control Committee demonstrate, there are quite a few unscrupulous operators."
For instance, during the first nine months of 2023, slightly more than 10,000 vehicles were inspected. Approximately 9,000 violations were identified.
"The most alarming aspect is that illegal operators deliberately circumvent the safety standards required of regular carriers, such as possessing the appropriate driver category and experience. Anyone who wishes can transport passengers, which leads to horrific accidents," Alexander Lukashenko stated. "There is no experience, no category, no trip authorization, no technical inspection, and the working and rest regime is ignored. These drivers operate non-stop from morning till evening. After all, it is money for the owner. This attitude toward the business will inevitably lead to a tragedy akin to the one in the Smolevichi district, where fifteen people, including children, perished," Alexander Lukashenko said.
From a financial perspective, revenue concealment, business fragmentation, off-the-books salaries, and tax evasion are most frequently detected. "We, Roman Alexandrovich (Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko. - BELTA note), need to tighten penalties for concrete offenses: if you fragment your business, you must bear responsibility. If you do not pay taxes... Listen, who will blame us? In America, you can receive a life sentence for tax evasion—a democratic country," the Head of State remarked. "This leads to unfair competition with legal carriers, which affects the operation of the entire road transport industry. That is, they transport without any system, steal and embezzle, and do not pay taxes. Of course, what buses and other vehicles could possibly compete with them?! It means unequal conditions. Do we really not see this?"
As a result, budget losses amount to tens of millions of rubles, while law-abiding carriers are forced to shut down their businesses and lay off staff.
Source: belta.by