Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Spînu, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development, has announced the launch of the Modern Transport Program that is designed to fundamentally change the transport sector. “The program is courageous and is designed to bring things in order so that we have higher transport services standards. We aim to support the connectivity and mobility of the people,” the official stated in a news conference, being quoted by IPN.

According to Andrei Spînu, a serious reform of the transport sector so as to fight illegal transportation services, to introduce a system to issue sales slips to everyone, to invest in new buses and minibuses and to bring things at bus stations in order wasn’t wanted in time.

The program includes the launch of a national program to assist carriers to renew the park. For the purpose, it is considered the possibility of offering loan guarantee funds and preferential loans, reducing import duties on new buses and minibuses and attracting European funds. There will also be launched a national program to fight illegal passenger transportation services, including in the taxi services sector. The campaign to combat illegal transportation services has been designed since January and is to be launched in March.

The digitization of the fiscal system in the field by implementing an integrated management system in transport, such as e-ticket or e-GPS, forms part of the program. Andrei Spînu said the secretary of state in charge of the transport sector will pay a visit to Poland next week to bring the best practices in the field to the country. An order to appoint the new vice director responsible for digitization at the National Road Transport Agency is to be signed today.

The methodology for calculating tariffs for passengers and for bus services will be modified so that this takes into account the comfort criteria and reflects the opinion of the local public authorities. According to the minister, the current methodology is outdated. It will be examined the possibility of liberalizing prices for particular routes, especially for long routes of over 150 km.

An agreement was reached with carriers on the gradual modification of tariffs following the increase in fuel prices. The carriers were offered a mechanism by which they can set differentiated tariffs for national and international routes. Today the minister will sign an order on tariffs that will take effect on March 1. A national program to optimize routes will be launched. The Ministry will become involved for the transport routes to be efficient, well-adjusted to the traffic flow and the needs of beneficiaries.

The Ministry is finalizing the draft to amend the Road Transport Code. Discussions with those interested have been held since last autumn. The official voiced hope that the document will come into force in spring. They are also working on a mobility strategy that will cover all types of transport.