Belgrade Public Transport Workers to Meet President Vučić on Key Future Issues

Belgrade's public transport workers are set to meet with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić to discuss the future of the city's public transport system. The gathering, scheduled for 11 AM, is expected to be more than just a formality, with union representatives emphasizing that crucial decisions about the company's fate will be made.

At the heart of the discussion is the potential outsourcing of trolleybus and electric bus operations to private companies. Union leaders argue that keeping these services within the public transport company, Gradsko Saobraćajno Preduzeće (GSP), is more beneficial. They anticipate a debate with city officials, who are likely to advocate for private partnerships as a better solution.

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the upcoming meeting will not be of a protocolary nature, but rather that it is 'breaking point,' because key issues about the future of public transport will be considered.

President Vučić has reportedly been thoroughly preparing for the meeting, seeking information from various industry experts beyond what the city administration provided. This suggests a thorough review of the situation, giving the workers an opportunity to present their arguments. The President's office has also requested data on vehicle costs, delivery times, and infrastructure needs from trolleybus and electric bus manufacturers.

Beyond the procurement of new vehicles, the workers plan to highlight other operational issues within GSP. They are demanding an immediate halt to the current public-private partnership tender, the acquisition of at least 90 new trolleybuses, and 300 new buses to modernize the fleet. Furthermore, they seek binding state guarantees for GSP's continued operation, ensuring no current GSP lines are transferred to private entities.

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Vučić has been seriously preparing, checking, and it's not just about what the City provided him, but he has sought data and information in every possible way, from everyone who knows something and who are people from the industry. I consider that good, because it means it won't just be as the City says, but we will get our five minutes to explain everything and argue.