Călărași, Tuzara and Nișcani Launch a Modern Intercommunal Public Transport Service for More Than 11,000 Residents
Călărași, 12 June 2026
Residents of the town of Călărași and the localities of Tuzara and Nișcani now benefit from a modernized intercommunal public transport service, officially launched on 12 June 2026 to facilitate daily travel to schools, workplaces, public institutions, healthcare facilities and other important destinations in the region.
The service is the result of an extensive planning and consultation process carried out by the partner local public authorities, with the support of Switzerland through the MĂ IMPLIC Project, implemented by SKAT. The objective of this process was to develop a service that responds to the real needs of residents and provides a safe, accessible and reliable transport alternative for everyday travel.
“Switzerland supports local governments because strong communities and quality public services directly contribute to improving people’s lives. This new transport service demonstrates what can be achieved when municipalities cooperate, pool their resources and put citizens’ needs first. It is a concrete example of how cooperation between communities can generate better services and more opportunities for people.”
— Patrick Etienne, Head of Governance and Social Cohesion Domain, Swiss Cooperation Office in Moldova
The new service serves more than 11,000 residents and includes:
• 4 new minibuses operating according to a regular schedule;
• 1 minibus adapted for persons with disabilities and reduced mobility;
• 14 newly created bus stops and upgraded infrastructure, including the rehabilitation of approximately 2.3 km of road and sidewalk;
• extended routes connecting partner communities more efficiently;
• a fixed and predictable timetable available online and at information points;
• modern payment options, including cash, QR code and SMS.
Through the new service, pupils, students, elderly people, employees and other users will benefit from improved mobility and easier access to opportunities and services available in Călărași and neighbouring communities.
“Residents of Călărași, Tuzara and Nișcani have been waiting for a modern, safe and reliable transport service for a long time. Today, we are offering our communities more than just new minibuses – we are providing people with easier access to work, school, healthcare and other important daily activities. Through regular services, extended routes, improved travel conditions and modern payment options, this service responds to a real need of our citizens and contributes to improving quality of life throughout the region.” — Victor Ambroci, Mayor of Călărași
The launch of the service is the result of cooperation between the Municipality of Călărași, Tuzara Commune and Nișcani Village, which joined efforts to organize a public service essential for residents of the region. This intercommunal partnership made it possible not only to procure the necessary infrastructure but also to create a management model capable of ensuring the service’s long-term sustainability.
“This service was not built overnight. Behind it are years of planning, dialogue and cooperation between three local governments that had the courage to try something new. We are pleased and a little proud to have accompanied the municipalities of Călărași, Tuzara and Nișcani on this journey, and we hope their experience will inspire other communities across Moldova to collaborate in delivering better public services.”
— Matthias Morgner, Team Leader, MĂ IMPLIC Project
During the launch event, the four minibuses serving the established routes were presented, accessibility features for persons with disabilities were demonstrated, and participants took part in a demonstration ride along one of the service routes. The event brought together representatives of local and central public authorities, development partners, community members and residents from the three beneficiary localities.
To develop the service, the three local public authorities benefited from a grant of approximately CHF 250,000 provided by Switzerland through the MĂ IMPLIC Project, implemented by SKAT. The investment enabled the procurement of four minibuses, the construction of 14 waiting stations, the modernization of related infrastructure and the establishment of a modern, accessible and sustainable public transport service for the region’s residents.
The Călărași–Tuzara–Nișcani Intercommunal Public Transport Service is an example of intermunicipal cooperation demonstrating that, through collaboration and long-term planning, local communities can develop modern public services tailored to citizens’ needs and capable of improving quality of life.
This activity was carried out with the support of Switzerland within the MĂ IMPLIC Project, implemented by SKAT.
