Public Transportation
From The Kodiak Republic Wiki
Section 1 - Bus Services
- 1.1 - Control of bus services are allocated to the Provincial Governments of Kodiak [1].
- 1.2 - Local routes are defined as routes that connect cities or villages that connect to a central population center stretching 25 km from the city hall of a city over 50,000 in population [1].
- 1.3 - Long Distance Bus Services are hereby privatized and routes will be sold off by the Minister of Transportation [1].
- 1.3.1 - Long Distance Services are classified as all bus routes that don't meet the definition as described in 1.2.
- 1.4 - Provinces may decide where they want to put routes to serve the people of Kodiak [1].
Section 2 - School Buses
Regulations
- 2.1 - A school bus is defined as a bus fitting strict safety and quality standards that is used to transport students to and from school and to other such events [2].
- 2.2 - School buses must be equipped with at least three emergency exits [2].
- 2.3 - School buses must be able to transport at least 34 children and 24 adults [2].
- 2.4 - School buses must be equipped with seat belts for every seat and at least two per seat [2].
Routes
- 2.6 - The Ministry of Transportation will work with the Ministry of Education to determine routes [2].
- 2.7 - Routes will be overseen by regional governments [2].
- 2.8 - These routes will take into account the safety of the children and the fastest way to get them to school [2].
- 2.9 - These routes shall be reconsidered annually [2].
Section 3 - Privatised Public Transportation
Definitions
Public Transportation: Includes all bus and rail services provided by the state itself or by a state-owned company for the transportation of people or goods [3].
Private Companies: Entities or organizations that are privately owned and operate for profit [3].
State Transportation Coordination Agency: A government body established to oversee and coordinate the activities of private transportation companies as defined in Title III Transportation, Chapter 1, Section 7.
Privatization Process
- 3.1 - The bus transportation services of the National Motor Vehicle Service (NMVS) will undergo a process of transition to a Public Private Partnership (PPP), sharing ownership, budget, revenue and management by 50% from the public sector with other private entities, each managing its share in one region [3].
- 3.2 - It will be allowed for private companies to apply for licenses to operate bus, air, and rail services in all current and future public routes, while ensuring fair competition and equal opportunity for all bidders [3].
- 3.3 - The cost of license shall be determined by the STCA depending on the scale of operations for each private business and shall be an appropriate amount to cover costs for public facilities usage [3].
- 3.4 - Issued licenses will need renewal each 5 years or less if said private entity is suspected of violation of national safety and service standards [3].
- 3.5 - Any projects to build new routes shall be a coordinated project between the private entity and the STCA [3].
Regulatory Framework
- 3.6 - Private companies must adhere to national safety standards for all transportation services determined by the Ministry of Transportation. Surprise regular inspections and audits by the STCA shall be done so the standards are followed thoroughly in order to provide a safe service [3].
- 3.7 - Set maximum fare limits decided between the STCA and private entities for main essential routes to ensure affordability for the public. Allow for periodic fare adjustments based on inflation and operational costs, subject to both parties' approval [3].
Financial Framework
- 3.8 - Offer tax incentives for private companies investing in green and sustainable transportation technologies such as transportation using only renewable energy and financially supporting research of said technologies reducing the Capital Gains Tax to 10% [3].
- 3.9 - Offer tax incentives for the following two years (from 669) in order to promote the private sector entrance to the industry, reducing the Capital Gains Tax to 10% and Corporate Tax to 5% to any business that forms or enters the transportation industry [3].
- 3.10 - Offer tax incentives for private companies who support research projects on new transportation technology reducing the Capital Gains Tax to 10% [3].
Monitoring and Evaluation
- 3.11 - The STCA will: [3]
- 3.11.1 - Develop key performance indicators (KPIs) for the PPP.
- 3.11.2 - Private companies involved in the privatization transition are mandated to provide quarterly reports, such as financials, metrics, and publish documentation to the STCA.
- 3.11.3 - Implement a platform for public feedback and suggestions regularly reviewed by a team of STCA and companies' representatives to improve services.
- 3.11.4 - Impose penalties for private companies failing to meet regulatory standards, ranging from fines due to small infringements of the standards to revoking licenses for repeated or severe non-compliance.
Transition Period
- 3.12 - The transition plan for the transfer of services shall be done in no more than three years (from 669). The Transportation Ministry together with the STCA shall ensure minimal disruption to existing services during the transition period [3]
- 3.13 - Facilitate the transition of public sector employees to private companies where possible. The Transportation Ministry shall offer retraining programs and severance packages for affected employees for the total amount of 6 months [3]
- 3.14 - Any employees who are unable to establish themselves in the private companies after the severance packages end shall be offered a fitting position to their previous role in the STCA, or if not possible, in the public service where avaliable [3]
Urban Public Transport
- 3.15 - Local governments of municipalities and cities are granted the discretion to determine wether they shall apply the same reorganization for public transportation within their jurisdictions [3]
- 3.16 - It is suggested that local governments conduct public consultations through transparent means to gather input from residents, businesses, and other stakeholders on the interested private entities in order to make the preferred reforms in the preferred way the local citizens wish [3]
- 3.17 - Local governments must coordinate with the STCA to ensure alignment with the Act if they are to transition to a PPP system, while being provided guidance, support, and oversight by the agency [3]