Public Transport in Tirana Returns to Full Capacity as Government Subsidizes Fuel for Three Months

TIRANA, Albania – Public transportation in Tirana is set to return to full operating capacity after public transport operators reached an agreement with the Albanian government on a three-month fuel subsidy.

 City buses in Tirana will continue to operate at full capacity after transport operators reached an agreement with the Albanian government on a three-month fuel subsidy.

The agreement comes after operators warned that rising diesel prices could force them to reduce the number of buses in circulation by 20–30% starting in September.

Rising diesel prices put pressure on transport operators

Urban and intercity transport operators had warned that higher fuel prices were significantly increasing operating costs, while public transport fares remained unchanged.

The National Association of Urban Transport had approached the relevant institutions twice during August, calling for the continuation of fuel compensation.

Operators argued that without additional financial support, they could be forced to reduce the number of buses and the frequency of services on several routes.

Government agrees to three-month fuel subsidy

Under the new agreement, the government will subsidize part of the cost of diesel for a period of three months.

The measure is intended to ease the financial pressure on transport companies and allow public transportation services in the capital to continue operating at full capacity.

As part of the agreement, operators have withdrawn their warning of a fleet reduction and will maintain normal services across urban routes.

Previous scheme provided 50 lek per liter

The previous government support scheme provided compensation of 50 Albanian lek per liter of fuel for consumption during March, April and May 2026.

In August, transport operators requested that the compensation be extended to June, July and August, as well as to subsequent months if fuel prices remained high.

At the time, the price of diesel in the Albanian market had risen above 210 lek per liter, increasing pressure on transport companies.

Bus services to continue at full capacity

The agreement between transport operators and the government temporarily prevents a potential reduction in public transportation services in Tirana.

Passengers are therefore not expected to face the previously announced 20–30% reduction in buses or longer waiting times on urban routes.

However, the future of the subsidy remains closely linked to fuel prices and the government's decision on whether to extend financial support beyond the three-month period.