Public transport associations have raised the alarm that the sector is facing a sharp increase in costs, mainly due to the increase in fuel prices and the lack of compensatory measures from institutions, warning that service could be interrupted for around 450 lines across the country starting next week.
The Association of Urban Transport and the Association of Urban and Interurban Transport have once again addressed the responsible ministries of Delina Ibrahimaj and Enea Karakaçi, requesting urgent intervention and the approval of a fuel compensation scheme, similar to the one applied in 2022.
According to the operators, after the meeting held on April 1, another meeting was promised on April 7, which did not take place, while so far there has been no reaction or official position from the institutions. This situation, according to them, is increasing financial uncertainty and making it impossible to continue normal activity.
In their demands, the associations emphasize that the increase in maintenance costs, spare parts and especially fuel has significantly burdened the sector, demanding an emergency support package and a diesel compensation at the proposed level of 100 lek per liter.
Operators warn that, in the absence of immediate intervention, the sector risks reducing the fleet, reducing the frequency of lines and ultimately interrupting public service, with direct consequences for citizens in urban and interurban transport.
According to them, the request also includes fiscal relief, including excise duty, turnover tax and VAT, as a way to stabilize the situation and avoid the collapse of the sector.
