Skopje, 23 November 2024 (MIA) – Private city bus transporters will be part of the capital’s public transportation starting Monday, but not in a full capacity. Their officials said Saturday that the transporters with financial capacity will join public transportation. They also urge the Skopje Mayor, municipal councillors and the government in a joint meeting to find a jointly acceptable solution to their demand for a price increase per kilometer.

“Private transporters will do their best as of Monday in order to meet the needs of the citizens of the city of Skopje for a few days. At the same time, we call on all City of Skopje councillors – please, vote in favor of raising the price per kilometer in order to improve the state with public transportation. With prices increased, we commit to renewing our fleet with eco-friendly buses,” Jovica Zafirovski stated Saturday.

We, he added, have 200 buses and we can fill in the shortage of buses of the city’s JSP company and the whole crisis to be put to an end. 

The city public transportation collapsed this past Thursday when most JSP buses remained parked due to lack of fuel. Only 25 buses operated throughout the capital. 

The government convened an emergency session deciding fuel from state reserves to be allocated to JSP providing bus fuel for seven days. Also at an emergency session, the Council of the City of Skopje welcomed the government’s decision urging talks with the City of Skopje to continue so as to normalize public transportation in Skopje.

On Friday, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski announced there is a possibility for procurement of new electrical buses. 

Photo: MIA