The inclusion of the units of transport in the superior category does not mean that the fare will definitely be raised to 0.70 lei/km as there is the competition factor given that a number of operators work on one and the same route. In the case of routes with one operator, the carrier could apply the charge of 0.70 lei only for the vehicle included in the superior class or should have the whole pool modernized to be able to collect a higher fare.

The inclusion of motor vehicles in the superior category was one of the conditions for increasing the interurban route fares as of January 1, 2020 – by 0.12 lei/km (up to 0.60 lei/km), and for super-comfort categories by 0.22 lei/kg (up to 0.70 lei/km).

“The operator will have the right to ask a higher fare, but this analyzes by itself the options on one route or another. When there are three operators on a regulated route and two of them apply a fare of 0.60 lei/kg, it is highly improbable that the third operator will apply a higher fare. As a rule, there are by two to five operators on a regulated route,” Iulian Postică, secretary of state at the Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure stated for IPN.

The first stage at which the vehicles will be classified into categories starts on February 1. The next two will begin on April 1 and on June 1. The process is expected to end in October. The number of overhaul stations where the clarification is done was extended from 18 to 22 and will yet rise. According to Iulian Postică, the number of stations is sufficient and the inspectors will cope with the demand.

The National Motor Transport Agency will issue classification certificates, including electronically, with the help of the digital signature. The certificate will be of one type and will indicate one of the two categories: First (superior) and Second (main).

According to the Ministry of Economy, in Moldova there are over 500 carriers that operate interurban and district routes. The National Motor Transport Agency registered more than 6,500 buses