18 new Hyundai buses will replace the 122-route minibuses. The vehicles were bought within a public-private partnership concluded between the Chisinau City Hall and the company Ruta-Prim SRL, Info-Prim Neo reports. Its manager, Iurie Topala, says 16 big buses – with 27 seats – and 2 smaller ones – with 19 seats – were bought. The 122 minibuses have been withdrawn, as the new cars will start running in some 5-10 days, after passing through customs. Ruta-Prim SRL cooperates with the Chisinau City Hall under a contract signed in 2002. It runs other routes in Chisinau, as 113, 109 and 188. Route 122 is the only allowing the run of large vehicles. Iurie Topala says he is ready to buy buses for other routes, in case he gets green light form the Municipal Council. General Mayor Dorin Chirtoaca says “In case we find other investors to conclude such partnerships, we'll manage to buy more vehicles for the municipality.” Now Chisinau needs twice as many buses and trolleybuses, he says. He suggest the replacement of the minibuses with buses should be done gradually. “We shall find a compromise, as the minibus drivers also have families.” The price of a ticket on such a bus will be 3 lei. A large bus costs 60,000 euros, and a smaller one -- 22-24 thousand. The investment was entirely made by Ruta-Prim SRL. 40 minibuses used to run on route 122, as their number sank to 14.