About 250 minibuses and buses from intercity routes were parked in the Great National Assembly Square. The carriers are calling for increase of tariffs and say that, if authorities do not comply, they will expand the protest by suspending from regular activity a larger number of transport units.
The chairman of the Auto Transport Association of Employers, Oleg Alexa, said that the authorities do not take into account that there is a 3 thousand worker deficit in the transport sector, most of them drivers. People no longer work as electricians, motorists, locksmiths or welders at transport companies. "I want to point out that over 400 people have left our industry since June 8, 2019", Oleg Alexa said.
According to the chairman of the Auto Transport Association of Employers, the Road Transport Code "obliges the Ministry of Economy to approve the tariff once every year". "The concern for the population must be expressed by lifting incomes, not by providing free services", said Oleg Alexa.
Veaceslav Găină, the administrator of several urban and suburban routes, said that the tariffs for regional routes have not been adjusted since 2013, while the tariff in the capital remained the same since 2006. In all these years, fuel tariffs have increased, repair expenses have gone up, while parts have become more expensive. Asked about income and losses, the economic agent said that "if total returns equal costs, meaning that the return on investment is zero, then the operators are very happy".
Another administrator, Ghenadie Sajin, said that the authorities are looking for excuses in order to avoid talks. "In 2013, the tariff was adjusted to 48 bani per kilometer, however, diesel prices go up twice per year, in the fall and in the spring. While costs have gone up, the tariff has not been adjusted”. "We have no profit. Monthly losses exceed ten thousand lei, depending on the number of employees and on how damaged the vehicles are”, said Ghenadie Sajin.
The operators are asking for tariff increase from 48 to 92 bani per kilometer.
