The Employers’ Association of Road Transport Operators has announced its intention to begin gradually cancelling regular routes as early as this week.
Fuel Prices and Frozen Tariffs
The reason is obvious. At a time when ANRE is announcing yet another fuel price increase almost every day, the National Road Transport Agency continues to block a revision of transport tariffs, making passenger transport economically unprofitable.
Tariffs have not been revised for a long time. Even the rates that were in place before the Middle East conflict had already left many operators dissatisfied. Negotiations on a revision began back on February 25, and new rates were supposed to be introduced at the beginning of March.
However, nothing has changed. ANTA has repeatedly postponed a decision under various pretexts.
Risk of Bankruptcy and Social Consequences
As a result of this inflexible policy, many carriers have found themselves on the brink of bankruptcy. That, in turn, threatens serious social consequences for small villages.
“As during the pandemic, some routes may not be restored once cancelled, and the number of localities left without regular transport could rise sharply,” APOTA warned.
