The Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) said the Government’s decision to increase fares on interurban bus and minibus routes in the middle of the winter holidays without holding broad public consultations and without analyzing the existing options represents disrespect for the people. “We demand that the Government should be dismissed for the way it managed the public interurban road transport,” head of the PAS parliamentary group Igor Grosu was quoted by IPN as saying in a news conference.
“Dodon’s Government made a very unpleasant Christmas present to the citizens of the Republic of Moldova when it increased the interurban route fares by up to 45%. Regrettably, the people will continue to use inappropriate, dangerous and primitive units of transport, but will have to pay more for trips,” stated Igor Grosu.
According to the MP, the Sandu Government opposed such a move, while the Chicu Government decided to raise fares, hitting the poorest citizens of Moldova who have to travel from the village to the district center to make purchases, to see a doctor or to work. But it didn’t provide transport concessions or subsidies to the poorest people instead, even if this was possible.
PAS MP Petru Frunze said the restrictions related to the program of routes prevents the sector from developing, obstructs competition and leads to the concentration of routes in the hands of several carriers that artificially maintain high fares, while the passengers cannot enjoy increased comfort and alternative routes. There are routes that have been managed by the same companies for tens of years, but these are not interested in investing in the field.
The PAS group will suggest transferring the passenger transportation services to the category of services that are exempted from VAT and allowing owners of motor vehicles registered in Moldova that are used to transport passengers on regular routes to pay the annual road tax by monthly installments.
