VMRO-DPMNE: Buy public transport tickets by texting

By Владо Ѓорчев On Jan 5, 2016 0

Премиерот Никола Груевски Фото: скриншотage: City of Skopje

Vlado Gjorčev, 05.01.2016

Buy your bus ticket by sending a text message. In case of ticket control, present the received confirmation code. The current system for purchasing electronic tax stamps will also be upgraded. Institutions in charge: Ministry of Information Society and Administration, the Public Transport Authority. Budget: 500,000 denars. Due date: December 2015

On November 11, 2015, the media revealed details on the Public Transport Authority’s (JSP) new charging system:

“The new charging system will allow passengers to pay by calling the number 185, by lightly touching the validator with the mobile phone and via text message.” (Retrieved: 05.01.2016)

A press release from December 18, 2015, stated:

“JSP will increase ticket prices for those without electronic cards, with a single ticket bought on the bus costing 60 denars instead of the present 35. The 30 denar ticket from the ticket offices is no longer available. Alternatively, passengers without an electronic card can pay with their smartphone, at a charge of 40 denars.” (Retrieved: 05.01.2016)

After a public outcry caused by JSP’s price hike, which would have come into effect on January 1, 2016, the City of Skopje discarded the plan. This also postponed the option to pay for the bus ticket by sending a text message.

On December 19, 2015, a single day after the plan was announced, Skopje mayor Koce Trajanovski announced at a press conference that the ticket price will remain 35 denars.

“I told you the old price is back. The new plan is scrapped, the price is 35 denars again. We want to go electronic, we want to use smartphones that span the globe, but we want to pay cash. Fine, the price stays 35 denars.” (0:30 to 0:45 in the video)

During the press conference, Igor Janušev, JSP’s general manager, said:

“You can purchase a single ticket from the driver in cash. All other ticket types are now only available electronically and will be saved to your electronic card.” (0:46 to 0:58 in the video. Retrieved on 05.01.2016)

In conclusion, the campaign promise “buy public transport tickets by texting” has been broken

Sources:

Извор: Проверено – Изборна програма на ВМРО-ДПМНЕ (2014 – 2018) ( Реформи и јавна администрација, стр 102) [Пристапено на: 05. 01.2016]
Нова Македонија (11.11.2015): Кој нема електронска картичка, ќе си купи билет во автобус [Пристапено на: 05. 01.2016]
Фокус (18.12.2015): 60 ДЕНАРИ БИЛЕТ ВО АВТОБУС, АКО НЕМАТЕ ЕЛЕКТРОНСКА КАРТИЧКА [Пристапено на: 05. 01.2016]
Радио МОФ (18.12.2015): НОВИ ЦЕНИ И БИЛЕТИ ЗА АВТОБУСИТЕ НА ЈСП [Пристапено на: 05. 01.2016]
Телма (19.12.2015) Градските власти се попишманија останува старата цена на билетот купен во автобус [Пристапено на: 05. 01.2016]
Телма (19.12.2015): ЈСП ја повлече цената од 60 денари за едно возење [Пристапено на: 05. 01.2016]

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