During 2022, the Department of Transport and Communications implemented several important initiatives and launched a number of projects.
In particular, in 2022, the Lviv region began to introduce e-tickets in suburban and intercity buses of the region. For this purpose, the Transport and Communications Department held an investor competition, the winner of which was Smart-Ticket Technologies LLC.
We will remind that the company must attract investments in the amount of UAH 38.334 million for the purchase and installation of validators, as well as the corresponding software, to ensure the operation of at least 50 electronic ticket sales points. The investor’s commission fee for the fulfillment of obligations is 10% of the amount of transactions for validated electronic tickets, and for the travel of preferential categories of passengers – 5% of the total cost of travel.
According to the management, the main implementation of the project will take place in 2023, namely:
– determination of the list of TORs, a typical pattern of entry and exit of passengers in TORs, the type of cards for payment of transport fares, determination of tariffs, determination of the provider of communication channels to ensure stable (sustainable) communication of validators in the TC 3 system;
– purchase of validators (determination and agreement of the necessary delivery terms); purchase (if necessary) of cards for payment of transport fares, preparation / determination of places and methods of sale and replenishment of cards for payment of transport fares, organization of secure remote access to the employee system, collection and preparation of data for input into the system (tariffs, routes, types , TOR numbers, data on dispatchers and drivers), obtaining communication channels for connecting validators, obtaining approval for the installation of validators in the TOR (owners serving organizations, suppliers – in the case of a guarantee);
– establishment of communication channels and exchange of information with the system (coordinating protocols), setting up the system, entering the necessary data for the correct distribution of information in the system, installing and connecting validators to the TK, entering the necessary data for the correct distribution of information in the system (numbers of validators, routes , transport companies, etc.), testing and debugging, training of employees of motor transport companies, informing citizens, preparation of information brochures and posters;
– testing in general, notification and informing of citizens, launch of fare payment in automated mode;
– issuing cards to citizens and switching to cashless payment.
In addition, in 2022, the Department of Transport and Communications began reorganizing the region’s bus network. Within the framework of holding two tenders for the identification of carriers, 163 contracts were concluded with them.
At the same time, additional agreements were signed with 260 carriers on the extension of the contract for the period of martial law in Ukraine and for one year from the date of its termination or cancellation. 17 contracts were extended for 5 years with carriers that invested in rolling stock renewal.
As a result, 90% of the residents of the region were provided with bus connections.
In the Lviv region, 4G coverage of the region was also increased from 88% to 92%. For this purpose, the department monitored the quality of electronic communication services on mobile networks of all operators in Lviv and on roads leading to checkpoints on the border of Ukraine in the Lviv region. The biggest challenge now is the lack of electricity supply (emergency and scheduled power outages). Backup power is required to ensure the functionality of communication networks in such conditions. For their part, suppliers (operators) used all resources – stationary and mobile generators of 6-8 kW, batteries, fuel and lubricants, distribution of operators’ resources within the framework of national roaming. However, this is not enough for uninterrupted operation of mobile communications in a large area of the region. Therefore, 6 communal enterprises of territorial communities and 20 private enterprises help to provide power to mobile communication base stations using their own generators.
It is worth noting that in 2022, the Transport and Communications Department was engaged in the restoration of the European-style railway track in the Rava – Ruska – Grebenne and Starzhava – Khyriv – Nizhankovichi sections.
It was possible to restore 1,435 mm on the Rava-Ruska-Grebene section with a length of 7.2 km, partially repair the station, place customs and border control points, and open an international sales office. The project was implemented with the funds of the Russian Railways “Lviv Railway”, JSC “Ukrzaliznytsia” and the local budget of the Rava-Ruska hromada.
As of today, the combined track (1520 mm) and tracks of the European model (1435 mm) have been restored on the Starzhava – Khyriv – Nizhankovichi section in the sections:
– Khyriv – Nyzhankovichi – 15.5 km long;
– Sambir – Khyriv – 36 km;
– Khyriv – Starzhava – 10.2 km.