In Ukraine, as in most countries of the world, road transport is an important component of the national freight transport system. Today, more than 64% of our cargo is transported by road.
Despite this, the domestic road transport market is hardly efficient. To make it truly client-friendly and profitable for business, a number of topical issues need to be addressed.
1. Almost 70 per cent of road rolling stock is technically and morally obsolete
The solution of this issue requires the development and legislative consolidation of uniform requirements for the technical condition of motor vehicles, on which it will be possible to carry out transport on the territory of Ukraine. In addition, uniform maintenance regulations and repair of carriers' vehicles.
2. Emissions to air from road transport represent 95% of emissions from mobile sources
This obviously requires improvements in the regulatory framework for environmental protection, energy efficiency and the use of alternative fuels by vehicles.
3. There are still significant legislative gaps in road transport safety
It will be possible to improve the security of the transport of goods by:
- stricter requirements for road carriers to comply with road safety regulations;
- streamlining of accident and force majeure insurance in the transport of goods;
- improving the training, retraining and further training of road transport personnel;
- development of a regulation harmonized with the requirements of the EU countries on the work mode / rest of drivers performing transport services.
4. The existing system of taxing road services does not improve their quality and profitability
At present, a single mechanism for taxing road hauliers carrying out economic activities under the same competitive conditions should be developed and implemented.
5. Innovative and investment development of the road transport industry needs to be revived
To this end, special financial conditions should be created for the renewal of the rolling stock of the vehicle fleets and the use of the latest technologies by the carriers in the course of their business activities. In particular, the import duty on vehicles which are not manufactured in Ukraine should be reduced.
