Ulyanovsk Tops National Ranking for Worst Public Transport
Ulyanovsk ranked first in the rating of Russian cities with low quality of public transport operation. The list was published by Ilya Zotov, a member of the public council at the Russian Ministry of Transport and chairman of the All-Russian Passenger Association, on his Telegram channel. Second after Ulyanovsk is Ivanovo. Also dissatisfied with the work of city transport is Irkutsk (3rd place). Closing the top ten worst is Abakan. Ulyanovsk authorities hastened to respond to the criticism and announced plans to improve the situation. More details are in our article.
What Experts Are Dissatisfied With
Ilya Zotov noted a whole range of shortcomings in the organization of public transport in Ulyanovsk.
Residents of Zavolzhsky District simply have no opportunity to travel to another part of the city. «In my case, I got on transport after missing about 10 routes,» the expert explained.
He also criticized the fare payment system: «any way you like, just not by bank card. There are transfers to a card, cash without a ticket, and transfers to a mobile number by topping up the subscriber»s account. And what will happen if an accident occurs, who will pay the insurance for the passenger?«
Among the noted shortcomings: no announcement of stops, passengers are dropped off outside stops, stops are in terrible condition, buses are of small class, carriers work as it is convenient for them, not as the city needs, in the evening it is impossible to go anywhere.
As the public figure noted, following the inspection of transport work and a visit to the enterprise PATP-1, he held a meeting with the city head, and also separately discussed all these tasks at a meeting with members of the Public Chamber.
Price Does Not Justify Quality
The other day, a letter came to the editorial mail from a resident of Zavolzhsky District, clearly confirming that the work of public transport in Ulyanovsk leaves much to be desired.
«I needed to get to the »Zhukovskogo« stop, but trolleybus No. 15, which initially goes there, dropped me off at the »Megastroy« stop in severe frost. I paid money, but I was not taken to my destination, I am extremely dissatisfied. The previous time, trolleybus No. 15 also refused to go further than »Megastroy«, the driver said the trolleybus broke down, and I also had to take another one and pay again. The fares for such transport are extremely high. Why isn»t this announced in advance in the trolleybus? Why can«t the trolleybus fulfill its purpose in the frost?» wrote user Marina.
Abnormal colds that stood in Ulyanovsk over the past weekend and at the beginning of the work week only added inconvenience to passengers.
«While waiting for the bus, I stood at the stop for almost half an hour. I froze incredibly. I warmed up only at work. At the same time, they regularly increase the fare,» complained Irina, a resident of the center.
Recall that in March 2025, tickets in city minibuses increased to 40 rubles (approximately $0.45 at current rates). From April 1, travel in trams and trolleybuses costs 38 rubles (approx. $0.42) when paying in cash and 37 by non-cash. The price hike has already caused a negative reaction from Ulyanovsk residents.
Bet on Large Buses
As reported by the city PATP-1, which carries out most of the transportation in Ulyanovsk, it is planned to purchase ten high-capacity buses that will connect the city center with Zasviyazhye and Zavolzhye. Such practice was applied in the city for many years and suited most passengers quite well. Also, in the near future, tests of a low-floor methane bus with a capacity of up to 118 seats will begin.
In addition, the enterprise intends to launch two new bus routes. From summer, bus route No. 84 is transferred from an unregulated tariff to a regulated one. Thus, the authorities intend to curb the growth of travel costs. Previously, suburban routes No. 8, 87, and 88 were transferred to a regulated tariff.
An update awaits the city electric transport as well. According to Mayor Alexander Boldakin, 29 trams are planned to be purchased for MUP «Ulyanovskelectrotrans». The issue of purchasing a trolleybus with autonomous running, which will connect Zavolzhye and the city center, is being resolved. Currently, such a machine called «Avangard» is undergoing test trials in Ulyanovsk.
In total, over the next three years, more than seven billion rubles (approximately $78 million at current rates) will be spent on modernizing the road transport infrastructure of Ulyanovsk. Read more about this here.
