Transport Service Says Marshutka Travel Fees Not to Rise

TBILISI - Deputy Head of Tbilisi Transport Service Merab Mamulashvili denied information that from 2017 the municipal minibus (marshutka) travel fees will be increased.

However, Mamulashvili did confirm that Tbilisi Minibus Company (TMC), which operates around 2500 yellow marshutkas in the capital, informed the Mayor’s Office that they intend to increase the travel fees from next year.

“We received such notice from the TMC many times but the fees never increased,” he said.

The contract between Tbilisi City Hall and TMC was signed in spring 2011, when four companies - Tbil Line LLC, Capital Group LLC, Tbil Car LLC and Public Car LLC won in a tender announced by the Mayor’s Office and replaced the old minibuses with ne. In 2012, they increased the travel fees from 50 to 80 Tetris.

The agreement reads that the company has the right to increase the travel fees a month after informing the Mayor’s Office, even if the Mayor’s Office objects.

Despite the one-sided contract between the Mayor’s Office and Tbilisi Minibus Company, the Deputy Head of Tbilisi Transport Service excludes an increase in municipal transport fees.

“The cost of travel by minibus in Tbilisi has remained unchanged for years and it will not be increased,” he stated.

Thea Morrison