Thursday’s text about the end of the Quick Bus commercial line between Rumburk and Prague provoked a great response. The reason is, according to the conditions of the carrier, the conditions of the transport office in the license, according to which it would no longer be worthwhile to operate the link. He addressed the issue extensively Pro-Bus Association and also the organizer of public transport in the Liberec region, the company KORID LK. We bring the opinion of the regional company in full. We will continue to address the issue, we will bring answers to questions from the daily Zdopravy.cz in the coming days, as well as the Quick Bus statement.

Liberec Region, resp. The Regional Transport Coordinator (KORID LK), authorized by the region, has been preparing a concept of interregional lines in cooperation with the Central Bohemian Region and the Capital City of Prague since 2019, the aim of which is to ensure a stable and regular connection between the regions. In the case of the route Prague – Česká Lípa – Varnsdorf (- Rumburk), the Ústí nad Labem region was also contacted for cooperation. The importance of ensuring a stable connection was revealed by the coronavirus pandemic, which, unfortunately, was paid for mainly by long-distance commercial lines.

Currently, however, there is a cause in the media due to the fact that the license for the operation on the Rumburk – Česká Lípa – Prague route was not renewed for the existing Quick Bus carrier, which operated the line commercially. This case is damaging KORID LK, as well as public transport as such.

First of all, it should be noted that the carrier Quick Bus was invited to participate in the newly prepared concept and the Liberec Region insisted on being a part of it, even if this carrier did not agree with the Central Bohemian Region on the Prague Integrated Transport. In such a case, the line would have the role of “express” and could only be part of the IDS of the Liberec Region (IDOL). In 2020, negotiations were held with the carrier aimed at signing a contract and an integration line in the area of ​​public passenger transport services.

However, the carrier, apparently due to circumstances arising from uncertain times, withdrew from the cooperation at the last moment, did not conclude the contract with the Liberec Region and suspended the operation of the line. At the time of the suspension of operations, the carrier then informed the Transport Coordinator, if the line is renewed, negotiations with the Liberec Region will resume. But that did not happen.

The Liberec Region was thus built in the first half of 2021, when the carrier Quick Bus stopped operating and communicating. At this time, the interregional connection project was completed in cooperation with the Central Bohemian Region and Prague without the Quick Bus carrier. The project was also prepared with the carrier ČSAD Česká Lípa and, in order to ensure part of the connections with barrier-free accessible partially low-floor vehicles, also with the carrier ČSAD Liberec.

including the carrier Quick Bus, partially resumed operations at the end of May (without relevant information), and did not resume negotiations with the Liberec Region. The Liberec Region only found out about the intention to operate the line for a long time at the time of the licensing procedure, when the transport concept had already been prepared and closed.

Within the licensing procedure, the decisive places are the relevant transport departments, which take into account other addressees. Among the Slovak entities was, among others, the Public Transport Coordinator, who, in accordance with current practice, sent a proposal for restrictive conditions due to the newly prepared line. The content of this statement was the same as in the case of the previous request of another commercial carrier. The Transport Coordinator approached the direct carrier Quick Bus and suggested ways to discuss further action, eg by modifying the route of the line. However, the carrier did not call.

Summary

For passengers, and this is the most important thing, the Liberec Region, in cooperation with the Central Bohemian Region, will provide an all-day and all-week connection offer. Part of the connections will also be run from the Ústí nad Labem Region, while the Liberec Region has in the past offered the possibility of extending the scope of connections to the newly prepared lines towards Varnsdorf.

The Quick Bus carrier had the opportunity to cooperate with the Liberec Region. He turned her down. The Liberec Region thus resolutely rejects the criticism of the carrier, which canceled and resumed its connection without prior discussion “from day to day” and which was not actively interested in further cooperation on the newly prepared concept.

Important questions and answers:

Why is the Česká Lípa – Prague route not left to commercial traffic? Why are the regions involved in the organization of the merger?

Transport is already provided by primary lines ordered by the Liberec and Central Bohemian regions, namely line 500400. Revenues in this context do not cover the costs of operating commercial lines so that transport can be provided throughout the day and week. If they were not interested in the organization of the current region of transport, it can be assumed that the scope of the connection would be much lower.

For comparison: On the day between the regions, 14 pairs of connections are in operation in the working environment of Nový Bor and Prague. In the commercial sphere, 3-4 pairs of connections. The new concept envisages a range of 19 pairs of connections on working days.

What vehicles does the Liberec region plan to deploy?

The carrier ČSAD Česká Lípa, which will provide the majority of connections (16 pairs out of 19), will deploy a medium-floor 12m vehicle. ČSAD Liberec will then deploy a partially low-floor 15m vehicle. All vehicles will comply with IDOL and PID standards.

Is it possible to improve the connection from the Šluknov foothills to Prague? If the Quick Bus carrier really shuts down, how fast can the regions react?

Already at the time of preparing the concept, the Liberec Region offered the Ústí Region cooperation and extension of a large part of connections according to the needs of the Ústí Region to Varnsdorf (Rumburk). The offer was emphasized, among other things, when the Quick Bus carrier interrupted the transport and it was not clear whether it would resume it. The Ústí nad Labem region has ordered t.č. 4 pairs of connections on weekdays. Currently, the Liberec and Ústí nad Labem regions are looking for ways to expand. As the information on the closure of the Quick Bus is new, no specific deadlines can be promised, but in general it can be stated that a change in the public interest is possible even outside the deadlines of national changes. We are dealing with the matter urgently and a solution will be found in a matter of weeks.

Why did KORID LK issue restrictive conditions for the license in its statement and how does the licensing process work?

Carriers apply for a license from the locally competent transport department, which then seeks the opinion of the other entities concerned. In this case, the carrier is applying for a license in the Ústí Region, which requested the opinion of the Liberec Region (Department of Transport Services) and requested the opinion of, among others, KORID LK.

It is common practice that local authorities want to “protect” connections that are part of the order, and therefore set time zones in which the transport of a commercial line is excluded. The reason is the protection of public funds to prevent this, that the operation of a commercial line in parallel with the line ordered way a drop in revenue of the ordered line. As the Quick Bus carrier had not operated the transport for half a year at the time of preparation of the concept, and the Liberec Region did not want to give up reducing the scope of the connection, the concept was prepared without the Quick Bus carrier. Subsequent restrictions then, in accordance with common practice, set restrictions on transport in the time range of nearby connections ordered, here +/- 30 minutes.

It should be added that KORID LK is preparing a statement, not a decision. If the locally competent transport department assessed the conditions as disproportionate, it would not have to take them into account. But that did not happen.

What conditions for integration did KORID LK set for the carrier for integration?

The cooperation could take place on several levels:

Transport by public service contract. The line would be part of IDS IDOL and the carrier would receive compensation from the Liberec Region for operating losses in the Liberec Region. (Vehicles would comply with IDOL standards. In contrast to the carrier’s capabilities, the issue of retrofitting information systems and modifying check-in facilities was discussed.)
The carrier would only integrate into IDS IDOL on a tariff basis.
In the event of a disagreement in points a., B., KORID LK would look for a way to find a basis with the carrier between the ordered and non-ordered connections.

Why did KORID LK not agree on the operation of the line with the Quick Bus carrier?

According to the autumn 2020 communication, the carrier was not interested in investing in integration and guaranteeing a range of services in the uncertain times of the pandemic. This attitude was respected, even though the possible cooperation with the Liberec Region could rather guarantee the carrier long-term security of operation in relation. Furthermore, KORID LK is not competent to comment on the case on behalf of the carrier.

Why didn’t KORID LK agree on the interleaving of the Quick Bus line with the 400 line?

At this point it is necessary to mention that KORID LK issued its opinion against the design of the Quick Bus line, where parallel with line 400 was proposed. KORID LK advised the carrier in advance to try to find a compromise and agree considered as parallel. However, the carrier did not further reflect on the proposals and terminated the operation. (In the meantime, the carrier was approached by the region’s management, in which, however, it used offensive communication and criticism of the newly prepared concept, in which the carrier itself originally participated.)

Why didn’t KORID LK cancel or limit orders for line 400 when it learned of Quick Bus’s interest?

It is necessary to mention that at the time when the concept was agreed with the carriers, the carriers ČSAD Česká Lípa and ČSAD Liberec had to secure the vehicle fleet and prepare for the provision of line 400. It is not possible to cancel a public transport order here whenever a commercial carrier likes to operate in a given context. It is also not possible to replace public transport from day to day whenever a commercial carrier decides to terminate. It was therefore necessary to find a way with the carrier not to appear on the lines as parallel, due to the break in contact on the part of the carrier failed.

Why does KORID LK consider a Quick Bus line to be parallel when it is “express” in part of the route?

Driving time between Česká Lípa and Prague at line 400 is planned for 1h 25m, resp. 1h 30m For comparison: The current travel time of the Quick Bus carrier is in the same route 1h 20m to 1h 40m. There can be no question of an express segment. Both lines run along the I / 9 road.

Is there a possibility of an agreement between the Quick Bus and the Liberec Region? Or is there another way to reverse the situation?

If Quick Bus prefers constructive discussion to other activities, KORID LK is still ready to look for a way to cooperate.

The second option is for the carrier to exercise his rights of appeal against a decision issued by the locally competent transport authority.

we regret it very negatively to the passengers. On behalf of the Liberec Region, we are ready to continue public transport so that it works for the benefit of the region and its citizens. Thank you for your understanding.

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