Public transport fares have been increased

The Ministry of Transport and Road Management (MTDG) has adjusted the fares for the suburban and interurban bus/minibus routes. The upper limit on the price of the fare has been increased from 0.30-0.32 lei per passenger/kilometer to 0.40 lei for common-type public transport vehicles and 0.42 lei for the vehicles furnished with upholstered seats. The last fare adjustment was made in June 2006, Info-Prim Neo reports, citing MTGD. The Ministry’s experts believe that the fares will, in fact, increase by an average of 15-20%, because, in considering the price of the tickets, the carriers will be guided by their economic interests, which depend on the distance of the route, the flow of passengers, the technical condition of their vehicles, the quality of the provided services, and many others. So, some of the carriers will maintain the current rate 0.30-0.32 lei per passenger/kilometer, and the others will choose the new one. According to the Ministry, the fare adjustment was a solution to compensate the operational costs incurred by the carriers, given the recent hikes in fuel, lubricants and spare parts prices, as well as the 28% increase in the base pay level. The new fares are effective upon publishing in the Official Gazette of Moldova.