Andrus Nilisk, the head of the North Estonia Public Transport Center, said that the state has not allocated funds for cross-border bus lines this year. As a result, the public transport center cannot fulfill its obligations as before. So far, the bus lines have been funded through the cooperation of cities, municipalities, and the state. The state has provided funding to the public transport center.
Nilisk said that he does not see the state's role in funding as necessary. In his opinion, this is a matter for the cities. Deputy Mayor of Tallinn Kristjan Järvan said that Tallinn wants to improve public transport connections with neighboring regions. He added that there have been unclear messages regarding state funding.
Järvan said that if the funding changes, the city and the municipality must jointly decide who will cover the costs. Tallinn hopes that the new government will quickly provide a clear answer regarding the funding of bus lines. A reduction in funding will affect bus lines with the municipalities of Viimsi, Saue, Harku, and Maardu.
Andres Ruubas, the head of the public transport department of the Ministry of Regional Affairs, said that the decision depends on the new government. He hopes that the state will continue to support interregional bus lines.