Tirana bus strike brings big traffic jam

Bus drivers in Tirana, capital of Albania, began a 24-hour strike on Thursday in sign of protest over payment.

The strike caused long rush-hour traffic jam, delays and disruption of citizens in Tirana.

Bus drivers and conductors of eight private operators that provide urban transport joined the strike organized by the chairs of the trade unions of public transport in a protest held in front of the Municipality.

Drivers and conductors said that they have not been paid for the last two months.

"We want to know about the price of bus tickets that will be decided based on negotiations between the Municipality of Tirana and the Association of Public Transport. So far, passengers have paid 30 lek (25 U.S. cents)for a bus ticket," Albanian Daily News quoted representative from the trade union of public transport employees Zija Hasani's statement.

The companies that offer public transport service proposed an increase in the price of bus ticket up to 50 lek.

Thursday's strike was the second held after bus service was blocked on Wednesday for three hours.

The members of the trade union said that they will continue their strike if the Municipality Council, which met on Thursday's afternoon, refused to fulfill their requests and even intercity buses are going to join the strike.

In the meantime, Tirana Municipality proposed to the council to not change bus ticket price.

"Based on the fact that Albania is going through a difficult economic situation due to increased prices and tax, the Municipality cannot charge citizens with extra costs," it was said in the press release issued by Tirana Municipality.

Further on, it was added that the city hall the municipality has proposed a plan of measures for the operators of public transport that include the removal of excise duty on oil and the VAT on bus tickets. Endit