The Deputy Mayor of Tirana Municipal Council, Dorjan Teliti, reacted today by raising the alarm that the capital risks facing a paralysis of public transport, after the 40% reduction in the bus fleet.
He has accused the government and the municipality of complete silence in the face of this situation, emphasizing the lack of response to a problem that is directly affecting citizens.
Statement by the Deputy Mayor of Tirana Municipal Council, Dorjan Teliti:
Dear citizens of Tirana!
The capital is facing a serious crisis, urban transport is on the verge of complete paralysis. Starting today, urban transport associations have reduced the fleet of buses in circulation by 40%, due to high and unaffordable service costs.
This is the beginning of a real crisis with serious consequences.
First, Tirana risks congestion, which means further deterioration of citizens' daily mobility. A 40% reduction in the bus fleet means even more cars on the road, more traffic, and more air pollution.
Secondly, the 40% reduction in the bus fleet will have a direct and severe impact on the economic and social life of the capital. Citizens will find it more difficult to get to work, which means that services risk delays and even complete paralysis.
This is no longer a sectoral issue. It is a crisis of the functioning of Tirana. Faced with this situation, the inaction of institutions is unacceptable. The Government and the Municipality have chosen to remain silent. The Government and the Municipality have ignored the warnings.
This is the result of a government without a plan, without responsibility, and without vision.
The Democratic Party and the Opposition demand an immediate response:
1. The government should accept the DP's official proposal for an urgent reduction in the fiscal burden on fuel to ease the costs of the sector and the economy in general.
2. Immediate and extraordinary meetings of the Tirana Municipal Council, in order to provide full transparency on the situation and urgently adopt concrete support measures and packages for this sector from the local budget of Tirana.
Public transport is not a luxury, but a right for citizens. If even for a vital service like public transport, institutions choose not to react, then it becomes clear that the problem is not simply a sector in crisis, but the very way Albania and Tirana are governed.
Precisely because these problems are not being resolved, it is one more reason to invite all citizens on Friday, April 17, to join the protest.
It's time to react.
It is time to demand accountability.
It is time to show the government that Tirana cannot be governed with silence, indifference, abandonment and abuse.
Thank you!
