The Employers Association of Road Transport Operators mounted a protest in front of the Government Building. The carriers demanded again to increase fares as gasoline and diesel fuel, spare parts and car repair services grew more expensive. The protesters also demanded to liquidate the schemes applied by the companies “Gările Auto Moderne” and the North Bus Station Chisinau, IPN reports.

The carriers asked the authorities at least to intervene to reduce their costs if they do not agree to raise the fares. “We incur costs for satisfying the wishes of this grouping that took over the stations, of oil companies, of insurance companies, not to mention the wishes of those from the National Road Transport Agency and many others. Most of these costs are accompanied by regulatory instruments. The Ministry can and is sometimes obliged to intervene and regulate,” said Oleg Alexa, who heads the Board of the Employers Association of Road Transport Operators.

The carriers ask zero VAT, reduction of car insurance prices and abandonment of pressure. Those who work on the Chisinau-Bucharest route complained that they were warned by the National Road Transport Agency that they will have their authorizations withdrawn if they are not served by the bus station situated in central Chisinau.    

In a public comment after the protest, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development Andrei Spînu said the carriers on November 16 were asked by the Ministry to provide information about the calculation of tariffs. Nine of the 67 transport operators sent responses and only seven of them furnished the requested information. A new meeting with road transport operators is to be held next week. “We do not understand their logic behind the request to raise fares as they do not react when we ask for concrete data based on which a decision can be taken,” stated Andrei Spînu. He noted that the Ministry will soon present the calculations concerning passenger transport tariffs.

The Employers Association of Road Transport Operators staged its first protest in central Chisinau on November 25 and is determined to protest until the demands of road transport operators are satisfied.

In 2009, there was approved the tariff of 0.38 lei/km, in 2013 – of 0.48 lei/km, while in 2019 – of 0.60 lei/km.