Kurgan woman complains to governor about freezing bus, late for work

The photo (see above) of a bus with its doors and floor covered in snow was posted by Utyak neighborhood resident Oksana in several groups of the social network VKontakte. According to her, the picture was taken last week on route No. 14, which departs from Utyak at 5:48 a.m. They travel in such conditions throughout the cold spell. The woman uses this bus to get to work at one of Kurgan«s defense enterprises.

The driver and the conductor also complain about the terrible cold in the Simaz bus, which was provided to them instead of a PAZ. The woman even took a photo of the latter covering her legs to avoid freezing.

— Poor drivers and conductors. We used to ride in PAZ buses, at least it was warm. The driver says he drives, but his feet freeze so much that he doesn«t feel them. How do they work like that all day? We are freezing too. We ride for more than an hour. Everyone says these are new buses, but you have no idea how new they are! They are cold, the heater doesn»t work, — Oksana told us.

Oksana not only posted on social media, but also wrote to Governor Vadim Shumkov. According to her, the new Simaz buses are not new at all; the carrier bought them in Tyumen, where they had already been in service for 3–4 years. In December, passengers had to travel on route No. 14 with an open door.

— Before the New Year, I wrote to Vadim Shumkov twice. The first time I asked to add more buses for us. We only have three. And the second time, when we had to ride with an open door. It«s winter outside, the doors open and don»t close, and we are in the middle of the forest. The driver can«t drop us off in the forest. I was invited to the city»s urban development department. I went, told them that the buses are cold, the heater doesn«t work. The second time I met with the carrier. He knows about the condition of the buses, but he says he won»t give us new ones, — Oksana notes.

Oksana says that three buses come to Utyak, and two of them are very cold. But the cold is not the only complaint of passengers. According to Oksana, Utyak residents lack the three buses, which constantly reduce their service on weekends and holidays.

— They cut the schedule, people are late everywhere. I work from seven, but I have nothing to ride on. Our bus sometimes comes, sometimes doesn«t. Add more buses for us! On weekends, it happens that the bus doesn»t come. They say there are fewer people, but we all work on a shift schedule. How do I get to the plant on weekends? This year for the first time they did not work on holidays, changed the schedule, so how do we get to work? I had to stay with friends in the city to make it to work on time. I talked to the carrier, he knows everything, but I only get formal replies everywhere that their buses are new and run on schedule, — Oksana notes, adding that she no longer knows where else to complain.

Earlier, the administration of Kurgan commented on Oksana«s post. In response to a request from the editorial board of 45.RU, it is stated that route No. 14 »Market« — »Utyak Neighborhood« is served by Simaz buses manufactured in 2023.

— They are equipped with heating devices. No complaints from passengers on this issue have been received, — the response says.