The Municipality of Tirana and bus operators have reached an agreement to end the currently public transportation crisis, following a week of reduced operation in the capital.
Last week, the Albanian Public Transportation Union halved the number of buses operating in Tirana, citing concerns over high fuel prices and staff shortages.
Prior to its decision to reduce the fleet operating in Tirana, the Union sent a letter to Prime Minister Edi Rama outlining their demands, which included subsidies for ticket prices and monthly passes and reduction of VAT for public transport.
On Monday, representatives met with Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj to discuss a solution to the strike.
Veliaj’s package did not include a decrease in VAT, but he promised a €1 million subsidy to offset energy costs and avoid an increase in ticket prices.
Bus operators agreed to incorporate GPS on their vehicles to increase transparency. They were also asked by the Municipality to formalize and consolidate the sale of monthly passes.
