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| Empty bus in Tirana |
The decision not to start urban transport was taken by representatives of transport associations a day after the protest in front of the Ministry of Infrastructure.
Today, after the meeting, the National Association of Urban, Intercity and Suburban Transport, as well as the Urban and Interurban Association of the North in a letter to Prime Minister Rama, Minister of Finance, Anila Denaj, Minister of Infrastructure Balluku and Minister Shalsi demand once again the completion of 4 requests from the abolition of excise, VAT, as well as reimbursement for capacity reduction and categories that travel for free.
Public transport operators across the country say that if these requirements are not met, work will not resume. Tomorrow at 10:00, representatives of the Transport Associations and operators of this service will hold another protest to meet their demands.
Representatives of the Association warn of an escalation of protests until their financial demands are met. The government decided that public transport would resume operations on June 15 with 70% of the allowed capacity and safety protocol approved by the Institute of Public Health.
But according to transport associations, starting work with reduced capacity and current ticket prices would lead to the bankruptcy of the sector. In Tirana, 15 urban public transport lines operate, which have decided not to return to work with 70% of the allowed capacity, as this would complicate the financial situation of this sector.
FULL LETTER:
Representatives of public transport associations are following with concern the alarming situation created by Covid-19. Undoubtedly, the Albanian government is facing difficulties in these delicate moments, but we would like to inform you that the transport situation in Albania, more precisely the companies that operate, are still closed and as a result in economic collapse.
Based on unofficial information received, which says that the resumption of the service on June 15, in anticipation of the officialization of two of the demands promised by the Prime Minister, we are reiterating once again our non-negotiable economic demands, to enable resumption of service:
1. Removal of excise and taxes on the purchase of fuel by public transport companies (same as for the fish industry).
2. Reduction of VAT on sales from 20% to 0% for 2020 and its return to tourism levels of 6%, as transport is one of the essential links of its development.
3. Reimbursement of missing capacity as a reason for security protocol.
4. Reimbursement of categories that benefit the free service at source, in compliance with law no. 37, dated 10.04.2014.