Size of minibus fare to be decided on June 14

The fare for a trip by the minibus within the municipality of Chisinau may be raised from 3 lei to 5 lei, on condition that the passengers will be transported standing only in the rush hour and in a limited number. Such an agreement was reached by the minibus drivers and the municipal authorities. A relevant decision is to be approved in the June 14 meeting of the Chisinau Municipal Council, Info-Prim Neo reports. Under the agreement, the minibus drivers must ensure the comfort that would be worth a higher fare. They will be able to take at most five persons standing in the rush hour, will have to stop only at stations and travel at a speed lower than 50 km/h. Smoking while driving is banned, while the fastening of the seatbelt is mandatory. “The passengers should be transported on seats. It would be reasonable to allow transporting at most five people standing at rush hour. The minibuses should run strictly according to the schedule, from hour to hour, stop only at stations and travel at maximum 50 km per hour. The drivers are banned from speaking on the phone and smoking. The fate of this type of service is in carriers’ hands,” said Mayor of Chisinau Dorin Chirtoaca. The meeting with minibus drivers and route managers was organized following the new protests staged by the carriers and the increase in the number of road accidents involving public transport.