Minibus drivers mount protests

Minibus driver working on routes in Chisinau are protesting against the penalties imposed by the traffic police. They refuse to work because they are fined if they transport passengers standing. Contacted by Info-Prim Neo, Mihai Reus, administrator of minibus route No. 110, said the traffic police put fines of up to 2,000 lei on the drivers who transport even only two passengers standing. The protests weren’t planned beforehand, but were staged spontaneously, in reaction to the actions of the traffic police. The police started to impose fines following a traffic accident involving a minibus running on route No. 110 in which 16 passengers were hurt. Three of them continue to be in a serious condition. Mayor General Dorin Chirtoaca asked that the minibus drivers strictly obey the traffic rules. In a meeting earlier, the minibus route administrators were informed that most of the reports drawn up against drivers are related to speeding, speaking on the mobile phone while driving and ignoring of the red light of the stoplights. The mayor demanded reinstalling the row of seats that was earlier removed and not allowing crowdedness in minibuses.