Vetëvendosje: Free transport was promised, but now bus ticket prices have doubled

The Vetëvendosje Movement – Prishtina Center has reacted to the decision to increase one-way ticket prices in Prishtina, which from July 1 will rise from 50 cents to 80 cents.

According to the party, the increase in the price of tickets in urban transport shows that the PDK and LDK administration in Prishtina has chosen to place the burden of its own failures on the citizens.

Vetëvendosje’s reaction says that after five years in government, the result is clear: not a single new bus has been added for Trafiku Urban, conditions for passengers have not improved, and there has been no increase in the quality of services. According to them, instead of investments and reforms, citizens are being offered only a more expensive ticket.

Vetëvendosje stresses that PDK and LDK sought citizens’ votes by promising solutions for traffic and public transport. According to the reaction, Uran Ismaili, the caretaker partner of Përparim Rama, had promised free public transport, but today, with PDK in power, citizens are faced not with free transport, but with a ticket that is twice as expensive.

The reaction goes on to say that this proves that for PDK and LDK, promises last only until election day. After that, according to Vetëvendosje, citizens are faced with higher fares, while the Capital continues to have the same difficulties: a lack of buses, insufficient service, long waits, and a lack of vision for the development of public transport.

The party also says that the Municipality of Prishtina has planned more than 8 million euros for public transport in 2026 and that these are citizens’ funds, collected from their taxes.

According to Vetëvendosje, despite this funding, Përparim Rama’s administration has decided to also raise the ticket price, making Prishtina residents pay twice for the same service: once through taxes and once through the increased ticket price.

The reaction says that this decision was made without a clear analysis, without economic logic, and without a development vision. For this reason, Vetëvendosje opposes the decision and calls on the Capital’s executive to withdraw it immediately.

According to the Vetëvendosje Movement – Prishtina Center, Prishtina does not need more expensive tickets, but more buses, more efficient public transport, better-quality services, and a clear vision for urban mobility. Above all, it says the city needs an administration that keeps the promises made to citizens.

A day earlier, the Municipality of Prishtina announced that a bus ticket will cost 60 cents if payment is made through the digital system.

Until now, a daily ticket cost 80 cents, while now it will become 1.2 euros for cash payments and 1 euro through the “Digital Wallet.”