In the Republic of Moldova, there are localities where public transportation only arrives once a day, a few times a week, or does not run at all. These are, in particular, small villages in the isolated rural areas of the north and south of the country. The localities are located at great distances from the regional centers and are not traversed by national routes. Thus, the access of the inhabitants to services such as health, education, or workplaces is limited.
The residents of the villages Iserlia, Carabiber, Ivanovca, and Bogdanovca in the Basarabeasca district are just a few of the localities where the issue of public transportation is acute. Contacted by IPN, representatives of the Basarabeasca District Council explained that people can only travel to the district center by their personal car. Until recently, it was also possible to travel by train, but this route is now closed.
In a response to IPN, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development listed several localities facing the same issue. Among these are villages from the Cantemir districts – Larguta, Acui, Bobocica, Leova – Tomaiul Nou, Baius, Soroca – Rudi, Nimereuca, and Rascani – Luparia, Ivanesti, where access to transport is limited or non-existent.
The main causes of the lack or scarcity of transport services are related to the decrease in rural population, asserts MIDR. From the perspective of economic operators, these routes become unprofitable, as the small number of passengers does not cover operating expenses. At the same time, the poor condition of roads in many rural areas further complicates the transport services network.
According to the MIDR, the National Auto Transport Agency manages inter-regional and international programs. The regional councils are in charge of the regional routes, while the local and municipal councils are responsible for local transportation. Until now, only transport operators could decide on the opening of routes. Now, local councils can directly request the establishment of new routes, adapted to the needs of the residents.
MIDR presents the city of Edineț as a success story. Here, with the support of the European Union and the National Fund for Regional and Local Development, the local administration has acquired several means of transportation to organize regular local routes.
To improve the situation of local public transportation, the ministry is analyzing the optimization of existing routes and the formation of intercommunity associations to coordinate transportation services. Also, they are considering the expansion of the Public Service Obligation mechanism, which would allow for the subsidization of regular road transport in these regions.
