VIDEO // Moldovan deputy PM says more than half of regular passenger routes not being operated at present

Approximately 70 per cent of all regular road passenger transport routes of Moldova are currently not being operated, according to data presented by Deputy Prime Minister, Infrastructure and Regional Development Minister Vladimir Bolea, after a today’s extraordinary government meeting.

The official said that the situation differed from one district to another, with significant suspensions reported in more areas of the country.

“According to relevant reports, 50–60 per cent of routes have been suspended in Balti and Glodeni. In Soroca, 90 per cent of routes are suspended, and in Rascani and Floresti - between 60 and 70 per cent,” Vladimir Bolea said.

According to him, in some districts, the activity of transport operators continues in full or in part.

“In Ungheni district, two operators have not suspended their routes and are fulfilling their obligations. In Donduseni district, likewise, two operators have not suspended their routes and are performing their functions,” the MIDR head noted.

According to Bolea, the presented data shows significant regional differences. In the south, the rate of suspended routes is estimated at about 83%, with approximately 90 per cent in Cahul and 75 per cent in Cimislia, where only one operator is still running routes. In the central area, the situation is described as stable, with about 10% of routes affected.

In the municipality of Chișinău, the situation is also affected, especially at the South Bus Station.

“About 50 per cent fewer routes were reported initially and at this stage approximately 90 per cent of the routes that were supposed to be operated from the South Bus Station are suspended,” the deputy prime minister specified.

In the context, the government today approved an amendment to the methodology for calculating tariffs for road passenger transport, introducing an adjustment mechanism which, according to the authorities, will allow quick interventions on the market.

“This instrument was previously applied during the state of emergency. Today we did nothing more than include it in the government decision, so that it can be used. From the moment of its publication in the Official Journal (today afternoon), it will enter into force and will allow quick reactions without bureaucracy,” Vladimir Bolea said.

The minister noted that the exact level of tariffs was to be set by the National Road Transport Agency (ANTA), which will carry out the necessary calculations.

“By March 27 at the latest, ANTA will complete all calculations and will come forward with proposals on the tariff per kilometer on the segment of national roads,” he said.

The official stressed that, at present, the discussion was not about tariff increases, but about adjustments determined by market developments. “We are not talking about an increase.

No increase was discussed. We are talking about an instrument that allows prices to be adjusted, depending on the rise in costs, including fuel costs,” the minister also said.

Vladimir Bolea emphasized that the increase in diesel prices had influenced the situation in the sector.

“For diesel, prices have risen significantly. Through the instrument created, we are giving possibility to adjust tariffs according to these increases, based on substantiated calculations,” he said.

The deputy PM also announced the start of discussions on possible support mechanisms for the passenger transport sector.

“We have started discussions to identify formulas for compensating or reimbursing part of the costs incurred by passenger transport operators,” Vladimir Bolea noted.

The official added that the authorities would continue consultations with sector’s representatives and local public administrations on the implementation of the new provisions.

According to the Infrastructure and Regional Development Ministry, approximately 330 economic operators are active in Moldova, operating around 2,500 regular routes.

At the today’s extraordinary meeting, the government approved amendments to the methodology for calculating tariffs for road passenger transport. According to Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Bolea, it is about measures aimed at maintaining routes and protecting citizens, in the context of pressures on the sector and concerns about the possible suspension of certain routes.