TIRANA, Oct. 20 – The Albanian government has adopted some new measures to curb informality in the road transport by imposing tougher penalties on unlicensed taxi service, car trade and imports and passenger tickets.
Under some new measures which have become effecting starting October 2015, the operation of unlicensed taxis and buses will be punishable by lifting the circulation permit and confiscating the vehicles and criminal prosecution in case of repeated violation.
The trade of motor vehicles has also been made tougher, banning sale without prior registration with the road transport directorate. Failure to use taximeters and provide tickets to passengers has also been made punishable by suspending or lifting the vehicle’s transport licence.
The number of cars an individual can import in one year has also been limited to two. The new measures envisage criminal prosecution on tax evasion for unlicensed trade of cars.
“This package is a prelude to the interurban road transport package which we have submitted to the government and which is in last stage of examination,” Transport Minister Edmond Haxhinasto has said.
The transport ministry says 90 percent of second-hand cars are currently traded as unregistered with tax authorities. Some 80 percent of the intercity buses and minibuses are also considered as not meeting standards due to their old age, says the ministry.
