The Odessa City Hall explained how to prove that a minibus driver was rude

The Odessa City Hall has advised passengers to record conflicts with minibus and public transportation drivers on video so they have evidence in case they file a complaint.

This was discussed during a meeting of the Odessa City Council’s Standing Committee on Transportation and Road Infrastructure.

A council member who sits on the committee reported that he had been approached by a veteran who had encountered rude behavior from a minibus driver. The council member asked a representative from the Department of Transportation what to do in such situations and where to file a complaint.

The representative explained that investigations are conducted in response to such complaints: managersof transportation companies and the drivers themselves are summoned to the department, and staff members visit the companies weekly to conduct interviews and provide training.

“If you have any such incidents, please contact the department,” officials noted during the meeting.

The council member clarified that it is important not only to investigate the complaint but also to understand what consequences the driver will face if the violation is confirmed.

The department responded that everything depends on the evidence. A driver may be suspended from driving for 5–7 days, transferred to another position, or fired. However, dismissals are rare, as there is a shortage of drivers in the city.

The issue of evidence in such disputes was discussed separately at the meeting. When asked whether passengers should record their conversations with the driver on their phones, the department replied that this may be necessary—without evidence, the situation often boils down to a clash between the passenger’s and the driver’s accounts.

“To prove this, you need to record the incident or have witnesses,” explained a department representative.

At the same time, they noted that passengers often file complaints that are not substantiated upon investigation. That is why video recordings or eyewitness testimony are crucial for establishing the circumstances of the conflict.

Ірина Глухова