Marshrutka

[6] Although buses (like Ikarus, LAZ, PAZ, RAF, and KAvZ, as well as irregularly imported used minibusses), obtained on a secondary market, had been used by entrepreneurs as a backup on the busiest routes since the early 1990s, it was not until the auto manufacturer GAZ rolled out in 1996 the first mass-produced Russian minibus,[6] GAZelle, that the modern system took shape.

The vehicle only had to pass annual safety check-ups, which were relatively easy, since local authorities trusted GAZ cars.

Some of municipal public transportation companies entered the business, and prices dropped due to increased competition.

The busiest routes in major cities now use full-size privately owned buses operating at the same price with municipal companies.

The original GAZelle saw a few official modifications to its body, length and passenger capacity to better serve buyer demands, including models featuring diesel engines.

They operated in usual hail-and-ride model, with fixed bus stops only at the start and end of the route, marked with a signpost.

In Kaunas, where marshrutka routes were less duplicative, there were attempts to regulare the network, which included a tender to select a single operator, however, the service became unprofitable and was stopped in 2019.

[12] The only major city in Lithuania that still operates marshrutkas is Klaipėda, where, since 2018, they are regulated with strict standards, consist of new low-floor stock, and are officially integrated into the public transport system, though only a separate, more expensive ticket is valid.

They are mostly used on routes connecting the city to small towns nearby, such as Saku, Saue and Kose where most people have cars and demand for public transport is lower but the many departure times are still useful.

Late evening departures may have higher fares because local trains and other alternative means of transportation are not running.

The typical Central Asian marshrutka is usually a white minibus branded "Mercedes", though may come in any number of colours, sometimes used to distinguish a specific route.

Prices range throughout Central Asia, dependent on whether it is a city or village, the local cost of living, the distance covered by route, and government policy.

While it follows a pre-determined path, it typically offers more flexibility than regular buses, allowing passengers to board and exit at various points along the route rather than just at designated bus stops.

This flexibility makes marshrutkas especially beneficial in both urban and rural areas, where other public transportation services might not be as frequent or easily accessible.

Older Soviet-era marshrutkas, such as the PAZ-3205 and Ikarus 260, as well as Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, have gradually been replaced by modern and safer vehicle alternatives for instance such as the Iveco Daily in Astana.

[14] In 2005, Almaty took a stricter approach to outdated marshrutkas when the GAZelle buses were banned from city routes due to safety concerns and poor vehicle conditions.

[15][16] Additionally, with the expansion of suburban routes in Almaty, the ISUZU HC-40 bus was introduced in 2023 to further modernize the city's marshrutka network.

[17] Newer marshrutka buses now feature enhanced safety measures, including video cameras, air conditioning, and electronic fare collection systems, making them a more reliable and comfortable alternative to their outdated predecessors.

Despite the rise of newer alternatives such as ride-sharing services like InDrive and Yandex Taxi, marshrutkas remain an essential part of Kazakhstan's public transportation system, especially in regions with less-developed infrastructure.

In Russia, GAZelle, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter,[18] Peugeot Boxer,[19] Fiat Ducato, Renault Master,[20] Volkswagen Crafter,[21] Iveco Daily[22] and Ford Transit[23] vans are usually used as route taxis, although in eastern parts the Japanese minibuses like Toyota Hiace are more popular.

The taxi will skip stops if they are not requested and, if operated with a GAZelle or similar, bypass hailing riders until it has empty seats.

The only drawback, sometimes noted by foreigners, is the poor noise insulation, which means you have to practically scream at the driver to request a stop.

[citation needed] Depending on the city, persons with disabilities, students, law enforcement workers, and civil servants (pass holders) ride for free.

Ordinary municipal buses, which are usually "full of free riders", are as a result unprofitable and cause economic loss.

[citation needed] In Minsk, Belarus, the fleet of vehicles is the same as Russia, consisting of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Ford Transit.

In Yerevan, Armenia, marshrutkas (Armenian: մարշրուտկա maršrutka or երթուղային տաքսի ert’uġayin tak'si) fares are paid when the passenger exits.

Marshrutkas are the primary form of vehicular intercity transit in Armenia (outside of the Ararat Valley, where some full-sized bus lines operate).

In Azerbaijan, marshrutkas (Azerbaijani: marşrutka or marşrut taksi, 'route taxi') are a widely used form of public transportation, especially in urban and rural areas.

Under 2009 Azerbaijani law, these minibuses or shared taxis follow specific routes but, unlike traditional buses, they do not have fixed stops, allowing passengers the flexibility to board or disembark at virtually any point along the way.

[33] In terms of fare regulations, children under 5 years old can travel for free as long as they don’t occupy a seat.