Governmental decision on excluding reequipped minibuses raises discontent in Cahul

The Governmental Decision on excluding reequipped minibuses from the passenger transportation activity raises discontent among the transporters working in the south of the country. The Patronage of the transporters from Cahul expressed its discontent as regards this decision at a press conference held on November 21. Chairman of the association Oleg Reutschi, together with other two representatives of the association, declared that besides the fact that the majority of minibuses will be excluded from circulation, local authorities from Cahul, headed by Mayor Gheorghe Zagorodnii, try to make transporters buy a particular make of vehicles in order to replace the existent cars and even try to introduce a standard color for the public transport in Cahul. The suggested cars are Ukrainian-made “Etallon” buses which cost about EUR 28 thousand and must be yellow according to the mayor of Cahul. Reutschi says that the law does not stipulate that transporters must buy a certain type of transport units. In light of this fact the transport units having more than 9 seats are considered buses and transporters can purchase minibuses which would be cheaper compared to the buses with 28 places. As well, the representatives of the transporters from Cahul say that local authorities neglected all the requests of the transporters to increase tariffs for public transportation. The ticket for a travel by minibus costs MDL 1.5, and children, students and aged persons pay only MDL 1. The Ministry of Transport and Road Management, Miron Gagauz has previously declared that there are no grounds to amend the Governmental decision which came into force on August 8, 2006. According to the decision of the Government, all minibuses produced in 1991-92 are planned to be excluded from circulation by the end of this year, and by the end of next year – the reequipped minibuses as well.