Minibus taxi drivers ready to strike

If firms would not be allowed to raise prices for tickets, drivers of minibus taxis in Hrodna would take indefinite leaves.

Local transportation firms have already suspended passenger transportation on routes which are most unpopular and unprofitable from their point of view.

As “Narodnaya Volya” was informed by representatives of transportation firms, almost one third of self-employed entrepreneurs had to take indefinite leaves. Companies state that they hardly cover expenses for the car: spare parts, tyres and machine maintenance costs have tripled. Fuel price hike has played its role as well. As said by entrepreneurs, it amounts to 60% of all expenses.

“We survive only thanks to goods traffic. With such prices for tickets I would have to dissolve my workers,” said a director of “Nyoman express service” Andrei Krychko.

Meanwhile, “Vecherny Hrodna” newspaper was told at “Hrodna bus depot” joint stock company, which makes a schedule for city minibuses, informs that non of the transportation firms has closed, the intervals between time-tabled minibuses remain the same, and drivers have just taken official leaves. Official persons traditionally prefer to ignore the problem.