Lithuania proposes 50% discount on long-distance bus tickets

The Lithuanian government has approved amendments to the Public Passenger Transport Benefits Act, proposing a 50 percent discount on long-distance bus tickets. The measure, initiated by Transport Minister Juras Taminskas, is intended to alleviate the financial burden on citizens caused by high fuel prices and inflation. If passed by the Seimas, the discount would apply for November and December.

To prevent price manipulation, the state will compensate carriers for lost revenue, with the cost estimated at approximately 3.15 million EUR. The discount will also apply to passengers who already hold existing transport benefits, calculated from the already discounted price. This follows a similar initiative for train travel, which is expected to cost the state roughly 2.8 million EUR.

While the government aims for a November 1 implementation, legislative hurdles remain. Parliamentary officials noted that the project may not be processed under emergency procedures due to Constitutional Court restrictions, suggesting the final vote might occur around November 12. This timeline would mean the discount applies only after the law officially takes effect.