Dedicated lanes, new trolleybus stations, and airport–city center express route discussed at Chisinau Municipal Council
The Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) for Chisinau outlines several key initiatives to improve public transport. These include expanding lanes dedicated to public transportation, establishing "park and ride" parking lots at the city's entrances, and creating new trolleybus stations in peripheral areas and near medical institutions. Additionally, the plan proposes evaluating the feasibility of launching an express route between "Eugen Doga" International Airport and the city center, including service during nighttime hours.
The plan was presented at the Chisinau Municipal Council (CMC) meeting on December 19 and outlines the directions for developing the city's transport system until 2030.
This strategic document, developed under the European project Move IT like Lublin, is fully funded by the European Union and implemented by the Chisinau City Hall in partnership with the municipality of Lublin, Poland. The Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (PMUD) establishes the framework for developing the capital's transport system until 2030.
Dorin Ciornîi, the interim head of the Urban Mobility Department, stated that an international consortium of consulting firms developed the plan, with all costs covered by the European project's budget.
"The role of the sustainable urban mobility plan is to develop and establish a coherent investment strategy in the transport sector to create a multimodal, integrated, and efficient system," Ciornîi declared.
According to municipal authorities, a key feature of the PMUD is its integrated approach to all modes of transport, which also correlates with areas such as road safety, urban development, climate protection, air pollution reduction, new forms of mobility, and digitalization. This document will serve as a reference framework for planning investments and establishing priority actions in public transport and road infrastructure through 2030.
During the debates in the CMC, Corneliu Pîntea, an advisor to the National Alternative Movement Party (MAN), requested clarification on the relationship between the Urban Mobility Plan and the General Urban Plan (PUG), which is currently being developed.
Vladimir Butîrschi, the manager of the Traffic Monitoring Center, noted that the PUG is expected to be finalized by 2027, while the PMUD will remain valid until 2030, creating an overlap of approximately three years between the two documents.
“The PUG is a mandatory urban planning document, while the PMUD is a strategic, more flexible document requiring periodic revisions. They must be correlated during the development phase,” Butîrschi explained.
Regarding the lanes dedicated to public transport, Ciornîi mentioned that the municipality has currently established about 50 kilometers of such lanes. An additional 10-15 kilometers are planned for next year, with a focus on not only expansion but also on connecting and aligning existing routes to create a coherent and functional system.
Regarding the access of maxi-taxis and taxis to these lanes, Ciornîi stated that the decision falls outside the local authorities' jurisdiction and requires legislative amendments at the national level.
Express route to the airport and night transport
The municipal councilors also discussed the issue of night transport from the "Eugen Doga" International Airport to Chisinau, particularly in light of high taxi fares. It was proposed to explore the possibility of launching a non-stop express route between the airport and the city center, as trolleybus no. 30 only runs until around 11:00 p.m.
"Any proposal is welcome and will be examined," Ciornîi replied.
Another critical topic was reducing traffic speeds and improving pedestrian safety. This year alone, 20 elevated pedestrian crossings have been installed, which are considered more effective than traditional speed bumps. The project will continue in the coming years, and citizens can submit requests in cooperation with the police.
The Urban Mobility Plan also includes proposed interventions to the capital's infrastructure, including bridges. For instance, a separate project is under expert review for the bridge on Ismail Str., while conservation works and protective net installations have been completed above Albișoara Str.
Other topics discussed included the rehabilitation of Mihail Sadoveanu Str. in 2026, the expansion of public transport in underserved areas, including Buiucanii Vechi, and improving public transport access near the Emergency Clinical Hospital.
Chiril Moțpan, a councilor from the Dignity and Truth Platform, requested an analysis of the possibility of establishing a trolleybus station on București Str. to facilitate access for individuals with reduced mobility. The Urban Mobility Directorate announced that it will assess the situation on the ground.
Additionally, municipal authorities reported plans for at least three "park and ride" parking lots at the entrances to Chisinau in 2026 to help reduce traffic in the city, with the necessary funding already allocated.
