Mayor General of Chisinau Ion Ceban said the 100 buses intended for the Chisinau Electric Transport Company could be delivered to the capital city at the end of August or the start of September. Authorities’ plans were thwarted by the COVD-19 pandemic as the vehicles would have travelled on the streets of Chisinau in June already if the current situation hadn’t been witnessed, IPN reports.
“We all agreed that we need to purchase about 100 buses. The specification is being prepared so as to launch the tender contest. This normally means that if we move fast, the specification that is presented to the Municipal Council will be accepted without impediments as the tender contest lasts for about 45 days and then we have a particular period for challenges. If things go smooth and all the procedures are respected, a part of the buses will come at the end of August or the start of September,” Ion Ceban stated in the talk show “Emphasis on Today” on TVR Moldova channel.
As to the 18 articulated trolleybuses that are to be bought from Latvia’s Riga, the mayor said things are not yet clear as there are a number of obstacles in this regard.
“We have known about this offer for over a year and two tender contests were held meanwhile, but unsuccessfully. There is also the political turbulence at the level of the municipality of Riga. Those articulated trolleybuses do not look worse than what we have today on our streets and a unit of transport here costs €540,000 to almost €900,000. At the contest, we take part with a bid of €28,000 - €30,000 €, which is the initial price. We hope it will not rise. The price of €28,000 - €30,000 is not yet the final one. Someone from Ukraine, for example, can come and offer a higher price and we will be unable to offer more,” stated the mayor.
Ion Ceban noted that an eventual rise in the fare for a trip by the municipal public transport hasn’t been discussed. “The rise in fares is not being considered, but normally we will have to examine this subject. But this should happen after we offer the people the necessary comfort,” stated the mayor.
