The authorities accepted a differentiated rise, of 0.12 and 0.22 bani per km, in the case of interurban routes, but put forward a number of conditions, including to implement a classification according for comfort categories. On the other hand, the carriers said the rise is only a first step that is not sufficient for them to be able to renew the buses or minibuses, IPN reports.

In a news conference after the talks with carriers, Minister of Economy and Road Infrastructure Anatolie Usatyi said an instruction concerning the classification of buses and minibuses according to comfort categories will be approved. The units of transport that will not meet the mandatory criteria will not be allowed to run on routes. “There is one more very important question concerning the payment of taxes, the underground economy, the illegal transportation of passengers,” stated the minister.

Iulian Postică, secretary of state at the Ministry of Economy, said that all the units of transport should undergo this inspection at authorized overhaul stations according to the agreed timetables in the period between February 1 and October 1, 2020. “We understand that the transport operators will incur additional, rather significant costs. We call on the operators to make sure that our conditions are met as the verification of the process will be a key element in this system,” stated Iulian Postică.

Vladimir Florea, chairman of the Employers Association “Union of Carriers and Road Workers”, said the units of transport are 30-40 years old and it is hard to ensure quality. Also, the carriers have debts to filling stations and the prices, including of fuels and spare parts, increased during the past few years. “We consider this is a start that we appreciate, but the dialogue on passenger transportation should be continued,” he noted.

Anatolie Munteanu, vice president of the Employers Association of Transport Professionals, said appropriate investments are needed to ensure a high-quality transportation service. “The carriers are interested in involving high-quality units of transport in the service, but they want to be sure that the investments will be recouped,” he stated.

Veaceslav Găină, the manager of a number of urban and suburban routes, said the cost price of a trip is 0.92 bani per km, but the agreement is to raise the fare to 0.60 and, respectively, 0.70 bani. “A unit of transport that would meet the requirements costs about €40,000. So, the added 0.12 bani cannot compensate for our costs. Besides comfort, we know very well that the prices of fuels, spare parts, services and others increased. This rise will not cover our costs by far, but it was a first step,” noted the manager.

The last time the fares were raised in 2012, from 0.36 lei to 0.48 bani/km. In the mounted protests, the carriers demanded a rise of up to 0.92 bani/km.