Passenger transport company Buslines is currently operating at approximately 25% capacity during the winter season. As the company’s founder Gela Jishkariani told BM.GE in an interview, Buslines—now in its sixth year on the Georgian market, operates routes to Turkey and Russia, including Moscow, Ivanovo, and Saint Petersburg, and is experiencing the usual seasonal slowdown during winter.
According to Jishkariani, this level of occupancy is typical for this type of business. However, during the spring–summer period, when demand improves, the company plans to add new routes and intensify international transportation.
“During winter, activity traditionally slows down, but for spring and summer we want to offer customers new destinations. We are planning to develop tour packages in Georgia for tourists arriving from Russia—essentially boosting domestic tourism in Georgia.
Our customers are mainly Georgian citizens living in Russia. At the moment, we are operating at around 25% capacity. Reaching 50% is already considered a success. In summer, our occupancy reaches 90–95%, roughly from June 15 to September 15. After that, passenger flows decline,” he said.
In terms of pricing, Jishkariani noted that a ticket to Moscow costs 200 GEL, while travel to Turkey ranges between 100 and 150 GEL. He explained that maintaining these fares is possible through cost optimization: the company purchases spare parts from Turkey and refuels in Russia, where fuel prices are relatively lower.
Currently, Buslines operates three large buses, along with several smaller vehicles, totaling eight units. Each bus is staffed by two Georgian drivers, with a third driver joining at the Russian border to ensure compliance with working-hour regulations.
