Mayor of Balti Aleksandar Petkov (left) and Mayor of Rešitec Ioan Popa
A total of 22 vehicles will be donated to the “northern capital”. Of these, 10 low-floor Volvo buses in working condition and another 12 buses (Volvo and other brands) that can be used as a source of spare parts. In addition, a set of parts and 6,280 liters of diesel fuel will be transferred.
In this case, the interests of the parties coincided. Reshitsa is switching exclusively to environmentally friendly electric transportation – electric buses and streetcars, thus replacing diesel buses. Although not new, they are in working order and will now help to improve public transportation in Balti. Where there is no city bus company, there are no municipal buses. And private buses are often criticized by passengers.
In late June, the Balti Municipal Council voted by a majority to accept the buses. Some councillors were against second-hand buses. The key issue was the conditions of customs clearance. In particular, the municipal councilor Nikolay Grigorishin asked if this issue was discussed beforehand with the Moldovan Parliament, is there a certainty that the buses will be cleared without paying duties? “So that it does not turn out that now we will accept buses as a gift, and then they will tell us – pay 500 thousand lei for each unit for customs clearance. Who will pay them and from what funds?”
Municipal councilor Alexandru Gustoi expressed doubts about the expediency of delivering buses for spare parts. “We are given 10 Volvo buses manufactured in 2006 and another 12 buses, including another modification. These are different modifications and different spare parts. Why bring in 12 non-functioning units, what if the spare parts from them won’t fit the functioning buses?”
Bălţi mayor Aleksandar Petkov reminded that specialists had visited Resita to inspect the donated goods on the spot. All the donated vehicles were examined, including the 12 buses. It was established that the modifications are compatible and the spare parts are interchangeable. At the same time, he stated that if the buses donated to Balti were not exempted from duties and customs clearance proved too expensive, he would have to refuse to accept the entire consignment of vehicles.
But in the end it all worked out. The Parliament made the decision necessary for Balti and the “green light” was turned on for the twin city’s gift.
