Chișinău minibus route 126, operating five vehicles, is ceasing activity indefinitely. To that end, the route operator has filed a request with the General Directorate of Public Transportation and Communication Ways, IPN reports.

Director acting chief Vitalie Butucel has stated on Monday, August 13, during a Town Hall operative meeting, that 800 transport units have been withdrawn from minibus routes in years 2015-2018. Some routes have shut down, and others continue operation with a critically low number of vehicles. The following routes could cease activity at any moment: 101, 114, 126, 154, 172, 178, 188, and 189.

Presently, there are 1003 units across the 51 transport routes. The number of minibuses is continues to fall. There are only four unit on the 175 route. Route 114 has the same number of vehicles. And route 189 employs five vehicles.

Vitalie Butucel pointed out that the price of three lei per minibus trip has been set in 2006. In the meantime, prices for fuel, oils, exchange pieces, and for other materials have changed. Operators don’t invest in maintenance and renovation.

Under such circumstances, says Vitalie Butucel, it is necessary to increase the number of buses and trolleybuses across municipal routes. The Urban Bus Depot requires 200 new transport, as most of those currently in use are past their recommended lifespan. Furthemore, a revision of ticket fares has been requested.