In some cases, private-sector county bus line operators say they are having to scrap routes due to the requirements, which can include a bar on switching the size of a bus used to match passenger numbers.

At least one company has seen court proceedings brought against it as a result of infractions; the first year of a contract is particularly rigid in what can and can't be changed.

An additional factor is soaring input costs, including high fuel prices, though the relevant ministry says some reforms are in the pipeline.

Requirements for public transport service providers have remained unchanged for nearly eight years. For example, once a route license is granted, the company plying the route is not permitted to alter the agreed conditions for up to a year, including the size of the vehicle being used.

However, seasonal changes, fluctuating passenger numbers and other factors can make changing the type and size of bus, for instance, or the number of stops on the route, necessary, the companies argue.

Ulvi and Toomas Heinla are one example of operators reporting struggles. Their company, Arilix, has been in business for 26 years now, including a route from Tartu to Värska, which has been in service for 12 years. Requirements that fail to take changing circumstances into account have been the biggest barrier to business, they say.

Proceedings were initiated against their company, for instance, as due to an unexpected change in passenger numbers, they sent a larger replacement bus on the route; in this case the issue was not the bus's size, but its age. It was a few years older than permitted in the route contract.

"In a family business, we closely monitor how many tickets are actually sold and adjust accordingly, deciding whether to place a smaller or larger bus on the route. We don't waste resources by sending a large bus out come what may, even when there are only two passengers. Since that option was taken away from us and fuel prices are currently through the roof, every cent counts," Ulvi Heinla told "Aktuaalne kaamera."

While passenger numbers may be scanty, closing the Tartu-Värska route would impact visitors, many of them elderly, to a spa and wellness center in Värska in the far southeast of Estonia. The more than 80 km route is the most direct using public transport, they say.

Kairi Ustav, the Värska spa's head, said their clients often do not have a car or a driver's license. "They have no way of getting here or leaving on their own. Many come from Tallinn and need to continue by connecting bus. On Saturdays, the only route running between the sanatorium and Tartu is the commercial line."

A Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture spokesperson said there are plans in place to "slightly ease" the requirements and provide greater flexibility in transport contract conditions.

This, said Andres Ruubas, head of the ministry's public transport department, would require a legislative change.

"Up to now we have seen that the one-year period, which is supposed to be the route's adjustment period, may actually be too long, and these changes should perhaps be allowed within a shorter timeframe," Ruubas said.

County lines bus operator Hansabuss said last month it is winding up connections between Tallinn and Viljandi, due to their not being economical. In some cases, fares have also been rising to cover the cost.

Other considerations in recent times on making public transport in the more outlying parts of the country more effective have included more informal drop-offs in addition to the set bus stops.

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