The carriers demand to increase the fares for interurban bus and minibus trips by at least 0.10 lei per kilometer. The demand was addressed to Minister of Economy and Infrastructure Kiril Gaburici in the July 31 meeting of the national commission for collective consultations and negotiations.

Contacted by IPN, executive director of the Union of Carriers and Road Workers of Moldova Eugen Datsko said the demand is compliant with the Supreme Court of Justice’s decision made five years ago by which the authorities were obliged to increase the fares for interurban trips following lawsuits filed by carriers.

“The fuel prices in this country have increased a lot during five years. The rise in fuel prices leads to higher costs incurred by carriers,” stated Eugen Datsko. In the meeting of the national commission for collective consultations and negotiations, the minister of economy instructed to examine the demand and to open talks on the issue so as to see how groundless the request is.

The executive director of the Union of Carriers and Road Workers of Moldova said the last time the interurban route fares were raised in 2012, also by 0.10 lei per km. Now the average tariff is 0.48 lei per km.