The 2004 Transit Act (formally the Integrated Transit Decree) is a piece of legislation that fundamentally restructured the public transportation network of the Divine Republic of Kresimiria.
Proposed by the government of Stoyan Vasilis, the Act granted the state-owned enterprise Republic Rail (RZ) a statutory monopoly on inter-city bus services. It authorized the nationalization of struggling municipal bus companies and the creation of the “Republic Coach” division. The legislation was the centerpiece of Vasilis’s “Rural Connectivity” policy, designed to integrate the isolated mountain and border districts into the national economy.
Background
The “Last Mile” Problem
By the early 2000s, Kresimiria possessed a robust railway network thanks to the statist policies of the 1990s. However, significant gaps remained in the “Last Mile” connectivity.
- Rural Isolation: In mountainous districts like Viskogorje (District VI) and the sprawling forests of Severnivaraje (District IV), rail infrastructure was expensive to build and sparse.
- Market Failure: These regions relied on a patchwork of private operators and municipal bus lines. Due to low profit margins, private companies frequently cut routes to small villages, leaving thousands of citizens isolated.
- Political Motivation: Stoyan Vasilis, the first Blue Dawn leader from a rural district, had won the 2002 election on a promise to revitalize the countryside. He needed a tangible project to reward his base.
The Legislation
The Act amended the charter of Republic Rail under the Council for Development.
Key Provisions
- Expansion of Mandate: RZ’s mandate was expanded from “Rail Transport” to “National Mobility,” granting it the legal authority to operate road vehicles.
- Nationalization: The state was authorized to purchase or seize the assets of municipal bus companies in towns with under 50,000 residents. Compensation was provided via government bonds issued by STP Credit.
- The Universal Service Obligation: The Act enshrined a “Right to Travel,” mandating that every settlement with more than 500 registered citizens must have a scheduled connection to the nearest rail hub at least twice daily.
Parliamentary Passage
The bill created a distinct ideological split in the Assembly, pitting statists and regionalists against economic liberals.
- The “Connectivity Coalition”:
- Blue Dawn (8 seats): Voted in favor to expand state infrastructure.
- Northern Power (2 seats): Leader Syv Iric supported the bill enthusiastically. Despite his usual opposition to the central government, Iric viewed the Act as essential for the economic survival of his constituents in the north.
- Sons of Kresimir (1 seat): Voted in favor, viewing national integration as a matter of security.
- BLF (2 seats): Isaak von Steuer supported the bill after securing guarantees that the bus network would extend into District X.
- The Opposition:
- Civic Renewal Front (4 seats): Leader Boj Volansky opposed the bill, arguing that a state monopoly would lead to inefficiency and higher ticket prices in the long run.
- Vjetrusa (3 seats): The party was split. Bran Maj fiercely opposed the bill, fearing that a state-run trucking/bus fleet would eventually compete with Maj Logistics.
The Act passed 15–5.
| Senator | Vote |
|---|---|
| Magdalena Zuvic (BD) | For |
| Sara Korunic (BD) | For |
| Viktor Durak (VJ) | For |
| Ljubo Sanjakorin (BD) | For |
| Bran Maj (VJ) | Against |
| Tihomir Bran | For |
| Syv Iric (NP) | For |
| Branimir Hup (NP) | For |
| Florijan Kostic (CRF) | Against |
| Dino Colic (BD) | For |
| Topi Topolski (CRF) | Against |
| Stoyan Vasilis (BD) | For |
| Mia Marija Pavlovic (CRF) | Against |
| Zoran Pesic (BD) | For |
| Kresimir Bukowski (BD) | For |
| Misko Maretic (VJ) | For |
| Ari Stov (BD) | For |
| Boj Volansky (CRF) | Against |
| Jannik Lehr (BLF) | For |
| Isaak von Steuer (BLF) | For |
Implementation: Republic Coach
Following the Act’s passage, Republic Rail launched the Republic Coach (Republika Trener) service in 2005.
- Integration: Bus schedules were synchronized with train arrivals. A single ticket could now take a passenger from a village in Viskogorje to a bus terminal, onto a train to Sinj, and onto a tram in the capital.
- The Fleet: RZ purchased hundreds of buses, manufactured domestically by Krasja (the Krasja Teret bus variant). They were painted in a distinct green-and-cream livery to distinguish them from the blue trains.
District X Security Measures
In Moraviskameja, the implementation was complicated by the threat of AFIM terrorism. Under the provisions of the Act, RZ operates a specialized fleet of armored buses in the southern border regions. These vehicles feature reinforced chassis and bulletproof glass, and routes are often escorted by the Civil Order Force.
Legacy
The 2004 Transit Act is generally regarded as one of Stoyan Vasilis’s most successful domestic policies. It successfully lowered the cost of transport for rural citizens and integrated the labor markets of the north with the industrial centers.
However, critics point to the “RZ Money Pit.” The bus network operates at a significant financial loss, requiring heavy subsidies from the central budget. Additionally, the monopoly status has prevented the emergence of private luxury coach services, leaving travelers with no alternative to the often utilitarian state service.