Mayor of Balti Alexander Petkov
The issue of fare increase in buses and coaches was considered at the meeting of the municipal council in early May. After heated debates, the relevant decision was made. The initiative to raise fares was submitted by transportation companies. They justified their proposals by the fact that the fare has not changed since 2022, while the prices for maintenance and repair of transportation units, spare parts, fuel and other costs continue to rise.
Back in March 2022, buses and minibuses in Balti gathered in the square next to the City Hall instead of going out on the line. The owners talked about losses, offered to increase the fare for passengers or subsidies from the local authorities. But the solution of the issue was postponed for various reasons.
Recall that from January 1, 2025, the fare for trolleybuses in Balti municipality increased from 4 to 6 lei. Now a trip in a trolleybus, bus and minibus costs the same – 6 lei.
However, it is premature to say that the increase in bus fares will improve the situation with public transportation in the “northern capital”. The transportation of passengers by buses and minibuses in the municipality is carried out by private companies. They do not always follow the schedule, may not go on the line at all or leave early. The authorities are trying to influence and regulate the movement of private buses and minibuses, but the problems remain.
As one of the ways out of the situation, Mayor Alexander Petkov suggested buying several buses on credit to organize a municipal bus fleet for the benefit of the citizens. And for this purpose it is necessary to find money, as an option – to take a credit. At the meeting of the Bălţi Municipal Council on March 17, 2025, the mayor’s proposal to take a bank loan of 40 million lei for the purchase of municipal buses on lease was discussed.
But by a majority vote, the municipal councilors rejected the mayor’s initiative. The main argument: there is no urgent need for the city to lease municipal buses, the existing trolleybuses are enough. In addition, the municipal councilors believe that it is more urgent for the city today to purchase garbage trucks than public transportation.
Having failed to find support in the Municipal Council, Alekandr Petkov proposed to go another way: to organize a tender for private companies for the right to provide bus transportation services. The Mayor emphasized that the city needs modern buses. The main requirement for them is low-floor construction and air conditioning. The private company that wins the tender will have to provide coverage of the entire city with bus service with minimal overlap with trolleybus routes.
Addressing the municipal councilors, Alexander Petkov emphasized: “We need municipal buses. If you don’t want to take a loan or lease, we will be forced to launch a contract procedure with private companies. Instead of the municipal bus fleet earning more money, private companies will work and earn more money. The contract with private companies will be multi-year, 3-5 years. Think again.”
The fare increase is the first step to improve the situation with the operation of the bus service in Balti, but it is clear that insufficient…
