CHISINAU, 28 January (BelTA) – The government of Moldova approved the draft agreement between the country’s Economy Ministry and the Industry Ministry of Belarus on the implementation of a joint project to renew Moldova’s bus fleet. The agreement envisages the assembling of Belarusian MAZ buses in Chisinau, BelTA informs.
Under the project, 120 buses will be assembled using Belarusian component parts. Buses will be fitted with Euro-4 engines. It is expected that the project will be implemented by Moldova’s company Urban Bus Fleet. Moldova’s Economy Ministry and Belarus’ Industry Ministry will monitor and coordinate the process.
The bus fleet modernization will help reduce maintenance costs of the Chisinau bus park by €0.2 million annually (taking into account the expenses on component parts and materials), increase the number of passenger transportation by 2.9 million people on an annual basis and create new jobs. According to the preliminary estimates, the bus assembled in Chisinau will cost €10,000 less than the price required for a ready vehicle by the Belarusian producer.
Earlier the parties reached an agreement to start assembling buses from Belarusian MAZ kits and to set up a joint venture in Chisinau. Representatives of Moldova Economy Minsitry and Belarus Industry Ministry signed a memorandum of cooperation regarding the assembly of buses in Chisinau in Minsk on 16 July 2015 in the presence of the heads of state. Back then the Moldovan President noted that the assembly of Belarusian trolleybuses in Chisinau was a good example of cooperation.
The Chisinau urban bus fleet numbers more than 130 buses; 12% of them are not used due to the excessive operation period (22-25 years).