The number of buses in Yekaterinburg may decrease due to a fuel shortage.

      Doctor of Economics, Professor Maxim Maramygin stated on the air of the program "Accent" on OTV that problems with gasoline and diesel supplies in the Sverdlovsk region are already directly affecting the operation of public transport. Carriers are forced to save fuel by deploying fewer vehicles on the routes than planned.

      In the context of gross contracts with the city hall, where the cost of services is fixed, companies cannot cover the rising costs.

      — A number of carriers are already saving on 1-2 buses. They are putting 8 vehicles on the route instead of 10. Because there are problems with gasoline and diesel. Costs are rising, but ticket prices are not, — Maramygin is quoted by the publication "Signal Ural."

      The situation has also affected the taxi market, leading to a noticeable increase in trip prices. According to the economist, the next wave of consequences could be a rise in food prices. There is currently little local harvest of cucumbers and greens in the region; they are being brought in from the Kurgan, Chelyabinsk, and Orenburg regions. Fruits are being imported from Central Asia and the Caucasus, and their prices also depend on logistics costs.

      Earlier, we reported that gasoline prices in the Sverdlovsk region have been rising for several weeks in a row.