"Rabbits" and low tariffs: the CEO of "ATP" talked about the company's problems

      At the meeting of the Duma commission, the general director of the "Transport Company" Vladimir Byzov spoke. He reported on the main results of the work of "ATP".

      It became known that in 2025 the company ended with a profit of 5.1 million rubles, the plan for it was exceeded. Revenue amounted to 1.4 billion rubles, which grew by 5.5% over the year, but this is 8% below the plan. The decrease is due to the fact that "ATP" transported 3 million passengers less than planned. "The reason is that the rolling stock did not allow us to operate at the required level," the speaker explained. "And it is directly proportional to revenue. But the problem with the fleet has already been resolved."

      According to the general director, "ATP" acquired 102 new buses through leasing and updated the bus fleet by 90%. The situation with trolleybuses remains consistently poor — the wear and tear is 95%, and only 15 out of 88 vehicles meet the requirements. In addition, there is significant wear and tear on the infrastructure, and there are no funds for its modernization.

      The situation with personnel improved slightly last year, but the problem still exists. In 2025, the average number of employees at "ATP" was 901, and it is currently 1,020. New buses helped attract drivers, but they are still in short supply — the driver shortage is 9% or 50 people. However, the situation with conductors is even worse — the shortage has reached 30%. It has come to the point that "ATP" had to install a conductor-free system in 20% of all its vehicles. It does not bring significant benefits, but it covers the need for conductors. However, there is a serious downside — the control system is practically absent, and no one punishes fare evaders.

      The head of the company added that other income in 2025 amounted to 501 million rubles, which is above the plan. Expenses reached 1.6 billion rubles, showing a slight increase over the year, but were significantly below the plan. Cost reductions were achieved through the wage fund, and the company also saved on depreciation, GLONASS services, and transaction processing. At the same time, the plan for expenses on electricity supply for rolling stock and utility expenses was exceeded (by 3 and 5 million rubles, respectively). "These are services of natural monopolies, we cannot influence them," said the speaker. For gas, expenses were reduced by 30 million rubles because the new buses run on gas instead of diesel, and it is much cheaper.

      Byzov summarized: "Our activities have been loss-making for a long time. The loss from the main type of activity (transportation) amounted to 375 million rubles." According to him, the loss decreased over the year, but not enough. The company is trying to cover it by renting out its own real estate and suspension nodes on the contact network, but all of this is insufficient.

      "The cost of travel today is 57 rubles," the speaker noted. "The fare is 40 rubles. There are currently no prospects for its increase." He added that "ATP" is trying to operate this way: it has introduced strict financial planning, raised rental fees, and signed an agreement for debt restructuring (the total debt is 360-370 million rubles, including credit debt of 164 million rubles). And it manages to avoid "sin" — there are no salary or tax debts at "ATP", nor any enforcement orders. "We are looking for solutions," concluded the director.

      Deputy Vladimir Malkov noted that there are only four control staff working on the line, and the fine for fare evaders is only 200 rubles. He asked whether the issue of increasing fines and creating a full-fledged control system is being worked on. Byzov replied that all of this is the competence of the administration, not "ATP". As for the current control staff, they were not placed there to check passengers but to work with conductors. And even if they start checking tickets, they will not be able to fine anyone; at most, they can ask to pay for the ride. "Overall, this should be a global solution; there should be a service at the regional level," he expressed his opinion. "And there should be fines that motivate people to pay." Malkov agreed: "Yes, a sum of 200 rubles will not encourage anyone, and you will incur losses."

      The deputy also asked about the profitability of new routes. The speaker said that as of today, "ATP" also services routes No. 70, 129, and 136, with 13 additional vehicles on the line; however, "not a single route will operate at a profit."