Regional News
22 January 2024
«Vitebskoblautotrans» from January 23 plans to launch a bus service with Smolensk
Since January 1, 2024, two bus flights between Vitebsk and Smolensk were canceled due to the expiry of the international passenger transport license issued to the Belarusian carrier of JSC «Vitebskoblautotrans».
In accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation, for the international transport of passengers, the carrier must obtain an appropriate license from the Ministry of Transport of Russia. JSC «Vitebskoblautotrans» in advance, as early as December 2023, sent a request to the Ministry of Transport of Russia for the extension of the license.
The state secretary of the Union State, Dmitry Mezentseva, had to intervene in the situation. As a result of the operational work of the Ministry of Transport of Russia, the necessary documents were issued and sent to JSC «Vitebskoblautotrans».
Belarusian buses are expected to resume flights between Vitebsk and Smolensk in the third decade of January 2024, tentatively on January 23.
The decision on the extension of the license for the international transport of passengers on the route Smolensk - Vitebsk is important for the development of cross-border and interregional cooperation in the formats of the Union State.
