Since 2014, when about 1,750 minibuses ran on municipal routes, the number of minibuses transporting passengers in Chisinau has declined to 470 declared motor vehicles that in reality are only 300-350. As a result, the passenger transportation capacity in the capital city and its suburban settlements diminished. Therefore, the units of transport at the Electric Transport Company and the Urban Bus Company has to be increased, acting head of the General Public Transport and Communications Division Vitalie Mihalache stated in the April 2 meeting of the Chisinau Municipal Council, being quoted by IPN.

Vitalie Mihalache said public transport services in the municipality are provided by the municipal enterprises Electric Transport Company and Urban Bus Company and by 14 carriers designated as managers of minibus and bus routes. “The city’s population is now served by 29 trolleybus routes, including seven routes with battery-powered trolleybuses, 23 bus routes, six of which are urban routes, 18 suburban routes and a private route (No. 23) and 37 minibus routes. As many as 323 trolleybuses and 108 buses of higher capacity, including 14 private ones, run daily on routes in the municipality, on average,” stated Vitalie Mihalache.

He noted that 20 trolleybuses – 10 standard units and 10 battery-powered ones - are now being assembled at the depot of the Electric Transport Company. The Urban Bus Company is to launch the procedure for purchasing a number of buses, depending on its financial capacity.