The IPN news agency identified some issues that affect the Chișinău municipality and asked the candidates who run for mayor of the capital to present solutions.
Vitalie Marinuța, the Green Ecological Party candidate, considers that Chișinău's public transport does not correspond to the current development requirements of Chișinău or any other European capital. In order for the residents of the capital to benefit from quality public transport services, Vitalie Marinuța aims to adjust the traffic routes and to modernize the Urban Bus Park, the electric transport network and minibus services.
As mayor of the capital, the Green Ecological Party candidate wants to create a traffic monitoring center that will strictly monitor schedule compliance at public transport stations. According to Vitalie Marinuța, another measure that would improve the quality of public transport services is the re-evaluation and adjustment of the city traffic light system, which would manage more efficiently traffic during peak hours.
One of the issues addressed in Vitalie Marinuța's platform is the electronic ticketing system, which aims to modernize public transport. The Green Party candidate considers that electronic ticketing should be part of the Public Transport Modernization Plan. After carrying out a rigorous study with the involvement of relevant specialists, Vitalie Marinuța intends to continue the implementation procedures that were previously commenced.
The candidate said that transportation via maxi-taxi is a temporary solution, which will be obsolete once the modernization and expansion of the fleets of the Urban Bus Park and of the Electric Transport Authority is achieved. Vitalie Marinuța aims to introduce strict rules for maxi-taxi transport and raise penalties for those who violate them.
Andrei Năstase, the ACUM bloc DA Pas candidate, said that Chișinău public transport is in bad shape and is well below European standards. According to the candidate, this situation was reached due to the lack of firm regulations and because the city did not have a mayor over the course of the last year and a half.
The ACUM bloc candidate expressed his opinion that urban transportation models from Oradea and Bratislava can be implemented in Chișinău. These models imply that the schedule is displayed at every station and that the margin of error reaches at most 2 minutes.
Andrei Năstase claimed that he intends to modernize public transport units by implementing electronic ticketing, which he considers that is useful and comfortable for travelers. Additionally, the candidate promised that those currently working as transport tax collectors will not remain jobless after the implementation of electronic ticketing, because the main concern of the mayor are the people.
The ACUM bloc candidate said that he wants to evaluate and find quick solutions for maxi-taxi transport. Thus, Andrei Năstase will forward to maxi-taxi operators a reorganization plan that will include solutions and benefits for both the operators and the residents of the capital. According to the candidate, the set of regulations will be comprehensive and will take into account tariffs, taxation, traffic flow and travel conditions.
