2024-07-29 23:34:25
“We support the decision of the Kaunas City Council to introduce a low pollution zone, but it is important to provide exceptions that do not negate the integrity of the low pollution zone itself. Kaunas was the first in Lithuania to establish such a zone, and therefore it is important to provide time to coordinate decisions with all interested parties. Otherwise, residents of Old Town, businesses and consumers throughout Kaunas will suffer,” says Vilius Kriaučiūnas, LVK policy advisor.
One of the most sensitive issues for business is from August 1. the cars of couriers, transporters and car-sharing platforms will be charged a fee of 2 euros each time they enter the Old Town. According to platforms that provide food delivery, ride-hailing and car-sharing services, this may lead to less availability of these services and an increase in service prices. For example, couriers delivering food can go to the Old Town and back 4-5 times in an hour, and according to the new procedure, they will have to pay 2 euros for each such entry.
According to LVK, as a result, restaurant costs and prices for consumers will increase, the competitiveness of Old Town restaurants will fall, it will be less convenient to use car-sharing and ride-hailing services, which encourage people to leave their cars at home and thus reduce solid particle pollution and reduce the occupancy of parking spaces.
Barring important exceptions, the biggest impact on businesses and consumers is expected to occur in winter.
“According to our data, during the winter season, takeout orders can be up to 50 percent. revenue from restaurants. Unlike in the summer, when about half of the orders are delivered by bicycle or scooter. In winter, couriers transport most orders by car, as micromobility vehicles can often be unusable in difficult weather conditions.
If a 2-euro fee will be applied to cars that deliver food or goods, it will significantly increase the costs of orders. We need to assess the impact of the new restrictions on companies providing delivery services and find solutions, otherwise business, couriers and, ultimately, consumers will suffer,” says Mantas Lomsargis, CEO of Wolt Baltics.
According to representatives of the company “Bolt”, the unexpected changes to the exemptions in the Old Town would affect not only food delivery, but also ride-hailing and short-term car rental services and their users.
“Ride-hailing and car-sharing services are precisely those solutions that can help reduce the number of private cars in Kaunas, as they provide residents with more convenient alternative mobility options. In addition, such services are especially relevant at night, when public transport does not run, so if exceptions for alternative mobility solutions are not ensured, the night economy of the Old Town may also suffer. We believe that together with the municipality we can find solutions, for example, by limiting the entry time for drivers and couriers”, says Laimonas Jakštys, the operations manager of “Bolt” transportation services.
LVK sees a number of possible solutions that would not affect the integrity of the low pollution zone, but would reduce its negative impact on business and residents. LVK hopes that in the coming days, the administration of the Kaunas city municipality, together with business, will actively search for the best solutions that would ensure a low level of pollution in the Old Town, but would not create excessive costs for the businesses and residents of the Old Town.
2024-07-29 23:34:25