The administrators of minibus routes in Chisinau demand that the fare for a trip be raised from 3 lei to 5 lei, arguing that the prices of fuel and spare parts go up, deputy head of the General Public Transport and Communication Division Vitalie Butucel has told IPN.

In 2006, when the fare was set at 3 lei, the fuels cost 9-10 lei per liter. Now the filling stations post twice higher prices. The minibus route administrators say the fare does not cover the costs incurred by the carriers.

A number of meetings centering on the issue were held the last few days. On March 14, the minibus route managers will have a meeting with representatives of the competent commission of the Chisinau Municipal Council to consider possibilities of raising the fare. A final decision will be taken until the next meeting of the Council. The drivers for now gave up taking strike action, cancelling the strike planned for March 16.