Lukashenko talks about problems with Belarusian buses in St. Petersburg
14:06, 11 August
Photo: BelTA
There is a situation concerning buses of Belarusian make in St. Petersburg. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the relevant statement as he met with employees of the organizations located at premises of Minsk National Airport on 11 August, BelTA has learned.
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One of those present asked Aleksandr Lukashenko about plans to reequip the country's passenger vehicle fleet. The president pointed out that mass transit companies constantly buy vehicles to serve needs of cities and regions. The process is particularly noticeable in the capital city. And the process will continue. About 150 buses and 50 trolleybuses will be replaced with new ones at the expense of the state budget soon. Especially since Belarusian companies make vehicles.
Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked: “Our buses are very popular. We cannot keep up with the demand. Competitors are starting to put pressure on us by mentioning that a bus in St. Petersburg caught fire or something… A government commission is looking into it now. I've sent them to find out what the problem is. Terrible competition but we will handle it. Those are good, quality buses.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko drew attention to the lack of any serious problems with the operation of Belarusian buses in Belarus and mentioned possible reasons for problems abroad. “They don't catch fire in Belarus. What is the problem then? There are questions. We will fight for these markets by focusing on quality,” he said.
The head of state noted as a joke: “It seems to me you will stop using the public transit system soon. Families in Minsk have two cars on the average. Some have three and four.”
“I don't mind you driving cars. At least we will have customers for fuel. We have plenty of fuel,” he added.
At the same time the transition to electric vehicles in personal transport and mass transit is becoming more and more noticeable. It is a positive thing for Belarus considering the construction of the nuclear power plant. “It is the most advantageous, most effective kind of fuel. We will advance in this direction,” the president stressed. “We need electric vehicles. Starting with cars and ending with buses and the rest. I pay close attention to it. We started putting efforts into it a long time ago and won.”
The use of electricity for heating and other needs in residential houses is also becoming more popular. “I encourage you to use electricity instead of natural gas in your apartments,” the Belarusian leader said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko believes that the second nuclear power plant will be useful for Belarus in the future. The proposal to build the second nuclear power plant in the country's east has already been mentioned by the president. The possibility is being looked into.
