After the city and suburban traffic of Tuzla issued a notice about the increase in the price of services by 30 percent, numerous reactions and dissatisfactions of citizens, students, pupils and pensioners were not absent.
In addition to the price increase, GiPS also confirmed that from February 2025, they will suspend the provision of public scheduled passenger transport services on Sundays and holidays.
The Commission for Human Rights and Freedoms of the Tuzla City Council sent an official statement regarding the request to the Service for Inspection Affairs of the City of Tuzla, requesting that the municipal inspector without delay issue a decision prohibiting the increase in transportation prices by GiPS Tuzla.
“This increase in prices is contrary to the provisions of Article 21 of the Law on Communal Activities of TK
(“Official Gazette of Tuzla Canton”, No. 11/2021).
According to Article 21, paragraph 1 of the Law on Communal Activities of the Republic of Tajikistan, the price increase of communal services can be implemented only with the prior consent of the Tuzla City Council. This consent must be based on a detailed request from the service provider, which includes all the elements prescribed by Article 21, paragraph 2 of the Law, such as the reasons for the price increase, calculations and the start date of the new prices.
The provider of communal services for public transportation of passengers, the company “GIPS” doo Tuzla, did not obtain the necessary consent of the City Council of Tuzla, nor did it submit a request containing the prescribed elements, and the prices were drastically increased. This violates the legal obligation, and acting without consent constitutes an illegal price increase.
Article 3 of the Law on Communal Activities of TK clearly defines that public transport of passengers is considered a communal activity, which means that it is subject to all legal obligations related to price regulation and prior approval by the Tuzla City Council.
The Commission for Human Rights and Freedoms demands from the Service for Inspection Affairs of the City of Tuzla that the municipal inspector immediately issues a decision prohibiting the increase in ticket prices of “GIPS” doo Tuzla, with the explanation that the conditions stipulated in Article 21 of the Act on Communal Activities of the Republic of Turkey have not been met. Order the service provider to return the prices to the last agreed amounts, until the consent of the Tuzla City Council is obtained in accordance with the law.
Perform urgent supervision and take misdemeanor measures against service providers for non-compliance with legal provisions. It informs the Commission about the measures taken within the period immediately after the adoption of the decision and the undertaking of all actions.
The Commission for Human Rights and Freedoms reminds that compliance with laws and procedures is a key prerequisite for preserving the rights of citizens, especially in the field of communal services that directly affect their quality of life. We expect the City of Tuzla Inspection Service and the communal inspector to take all the necessary actions to protect the interests of citizens and ensure the legal operation of the communal services provider “GIPS” doo Tuzla”, they said.
Source: radiosarajevo
