Carriers in Moldovan capital demand tariff adjustment to minibus, announce protests

Chisinau, 20 February /MOLDPRES/- Carriers managing minibus routes across the capital asked authorities to adjust tariffs to the means of passenger transport. Otherwise, they announced that next week they would protest and not go to work.

The head of the Council of the Employers’ Association of car transport operators, Oleg Alexa, said today that a request was sent to Chisinau city hall, explaining all requests and reasons, argued by figures and comparative studies.

"It is necessary for the city hall to clearly state how many minibuses the municipality needs, what are the conditions of their activity and how they integrate into the unique system of municipal transport. “Carriers cannot invest in cars, because they have no guarantee that this means of transport of passengers can be found in the plans of the authorities,” he said.

He noted that at present, according to the calculations of the carriers, the price of travelling by minibus in Chisinau, which meets all requirements of security, comfort and convenience, should be 9.81 lei. Also, Oleg Alexa said that in the current conditions and condition of the cars, the tariff should be six lei. "So, with such amounts already we could gradually proceed to the renewal of the minibus park," he said.

In late January, referring to a request by carriers asking the adjustment of the travel tax by minibus in Chisinau, mayor of the capital Ion Ceban said "what they asked for is unreal and they do not think we could accept their conditions".

"We have repeatedly talked about this issue, which is unpleasant to all. There is no investment in these cars, which look deplorable. It seems unfair to ask without proposing something,” he said.

The current tariff of three lei was set up in 2006, based on a decision of the Chisinau Municipal Council.