Public transport seeks extension of fuel compensation through September, otherwise warns of reduced service

Public transport operators have reiterated their concern over the financial difficulties they are facing, caused by high fuel prices and a decline in the number of passengers.

In a second letter sent during August 2026, the National Urban Transport Association addressed the ministries of Finance, Economy, Infrastructure and Energy, Local Government, as well as the Tirana Municipality, requesting intervention over the situation that has arisen.

According to the operators, the compensation received for March, April and May is not enough to guarantee the normal continuation of the service during August. They emphasize that operating costs have increased significantly due to rising fuel prices.

The letter to the institutions argues that fuel is among the main expenses in public transport operations.

Because of the vehicles’ high daily consumption, any increase in, or continued high level of, diesel prices directly affects operators’ costs.

Meanwhile, public transport fares have remained unchanged, and companies must continue providing services according to the specified routes, frequencies and capacities. For this reason, covering fuel expenses has become increasingly difficult.

Operators assess that the measures taken so far to provide compensation have been essential to maintaining financial balance and continuing the service, but the problem that led to this support has not been resolved.

“Fuel continues to have a high price and to significantly burden companies’ operating costs. If this situation continues during August 2026 and in the following months, without a financial compensation mechanism, operators will face serious difficulties in maintaining the service at its current level,” the letter states.

The association warns that the inability to continuously cover fuel expenses and other operating costs could have direct consequences.

Among the risks identified is the difficulty of guaranteeing the normal continuation of public transport.

Another possible consequence could be a reduction in the number of vehicles operating.

Operators also warn of reduced bus frequencies on routes and longer waiting times for citizens.

The situation could also create difficulties in meeting companies’ financial and operational obligations.

In addition, necessary investments and interventions to maintain the fleet could be postponed.

According to them, there is also a risk of a deterioration in the quality and standards of the service provided to citizens.

Under these conditions, the Urban Public Transport Association is requesting that the fuel compensation scheme continue through September 2026 and the following months, as long as diesel prices and the economic conditions that justified this support remain high.

The association considers the continuation of compensation an essential measure for preserving the current capacity of public transport, avoiding reductions in vehicles and frequencies, and protecting the quality and continuity of service to citizens.

Operators are seeking the institutions’ commitment to approving financial compensation for the June-July-August 2026 period and the following months, until fuel prices and the economic conditions of the activity return to normal.

The association and the operators it represents declare that they are ready to provide the responsible institutions with any economic, financial or operational data needed to assess the real impact of the current diesel price on the operation of public transport.

In the letter sent on August 12, 2026, the operators had also raised concerns over their inability to cover fuel costs and had requested an extension of the compensation period.

The government’s previous decision provides for compensating public transport operators with 50 lekë for every liter of fuel consumed during March, April and May 2026.

Operators are requesting that this measure be extended for another 4 months. Meanwhile, the price of diesel in the country has remained above 210 lekë per liter for weeks.