The carriers that manage minibus routes in Chisinau have announced a protest for February 24. The minibuses will not travel until 10am.

Contacted by IPN for a comment, chairman of the Board of the Employers Association of Motor Transport Operators Oleg Alexa said that no route will be operated in the morning. The drivers will resume work after 10am. The protest will be mounted following the reactions of the mayor general and deputy mayors of Chisinau to carriers’ demands.

In a news conference at IPN on February 20, the carriers requested the municipality of Chisinau to invite them to discussions. The carriers consider the problem can be solved by two ways – the municipality either accepts the request to increase the minibus fare or keep the fare of 3 lei but provide subsidies to private carriers in the same conditions as those enjoyed by municipal transport enterprises.

Later, Mayor General Ion Ceban reacted, saying the carriers should have new contracts for the provision of services with the municipality, should establish the vehicle-km cost, should create better conditions in public transport, should respect the contractual conditions, should accept electronic ticketing and the common electronic ticket. According to him, the Chisinau City Hall cannot accept to raise minibus fares until these conditions are not met.