Near Minsk, residents complain of a transport collapse: a shortage of minibuses and traffic jams all the way to the capital

Residents of Minsk's suburbs are complaining of a transport collapse, according to reports by non-state Belarusian outlets. A video from a subscriber, published by private Belarusian outlets operating in the country, shows a traffic jam stretching from the Tabory market all the way to Minsk. Cars are standing even on the bypass road.

Authorities and carriers explain the shortage of buses on the Minsk–Zhodzina route by a lack of drivers and link it to low wages. As an additional official reason, they cite a shortage of the buses themselves.

One of the complainants says: "It's a catastrophe, and nobody cares." Residents of the satellite towns also express dissatisfaction with the rising cost of bus fares to Minsk.

Suburban residents' spending on public transport to Minsk has risen by a quarter and reached 200 rubles a month.

The problem of queues has not been solved, despite moving the bus station from Uschod to Uruchcha and introducing electronic ticket sales.