Carriers’ demands to increase fares are not justified, consider Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development Andrei Spînu. He said the carriers should be more responsible and called on them to invest more in the modernization of motor vehicles, as the law provides, IPN reports.

In a post on Facebook, Andrei Spînu said that a group of carriers asked to double or even treble the passenger transport charges, from 1.37 lei/km to 1.85 lei/km. For example, the Chisinau-Balti bus fare is now 80 lei, but they want this to be raised to 185 lei. The Chisinau-Drochia bus fare is 109 lei and the carriers demand this to be 245 lei.

“As a minister in charge of transport, one of my major preoccupations is to make sure that the people benefit from safe, convenient and accessible transport services, while the price of transport services should be reasonable and should match the realities,” stated Andrei Spînu

The minister added that the discussions centering on fares should be based on solid analyses that are being carried out at the Ministry. When decisions are taken, they will be based on real data, not on pressure and public protests. He invited the carriers to a dialog, saying he will defend the people’s right to benefit from civilized transport services.

Tens of minibuses and buses were parked in front of the Government Building on November 25 as part of a protest mounted by passenger carriers. They said they can no longer work at a loss following the rise in the prices of fuels, overhaul services and car insurance. Many complained about the decline in the flow of passengers and about illegal passenger transport practices that create unfair competition. The fares should be therefore reviewed.