The National Urban Transport Association and the Urban and Interurban Transport Association notified the government, the Municipality of Tirana and the ministries responsible for infrastructure and the economy of the planned reduction in a letter.

“This is not a choice by operators, nor a lack of willingness to provide normal public transport services, but a direct consequence of their inability to cover the costs of operating their full fleets, particularly fuel costs,” the associations said.

Dashnor Memaj, chairman of the Public Transport Association, confirmed the measure to Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA).

The associations said high fuel prices and other operating costs had severely affected operators’ liquidity and that previous requests for fuel-cost compensation and institutional support had not received concrete responses.

They warned that the reduction would lead to less frequent services, longer intervals between buses and overcrowding, affecting passengers who rely on public transport daily.

The associations called on authorities to urgently implement fuel-cost compensation and address their other concerns, saying operators could no longer afford to run their full fleets under current conditions.

The government had earlier approved a 50 lek per litre reimbursement for diesel used by urban, intercity and suburban public transport companies. The measure covers fuel consumption in March, April and May 2026, capped at the amount consumed during the same period in 2025, according to a Council of Ministers decision.

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The National Urban Transport Association and the Urban and Interurban Transport Association said in a letter to the Finance, Economy and Infrastructure and Energy ministries, local authorities and Tirana Municipality that operators had completed all required procedures but had yet to receive the approved payments.

Under a government decision, operators are entitled to compensation of 50 lek per litre of fuel consumed during March-May, the associations said.

They said the delays, coupled with high fuel prices, had created liquidity problems and increased operating costs, despite operators continuing to finance services from their own resources.

The associations called for the immediate release of the outstanding payments and an extension of the support scheme beyond May as long as high fuel prices and other economic conditions persist.

The operators warned that without a timely response they may have to reduce their operational capacity and the number of vehicles in circulation, which would directly affect the frequency and capacity of public transport services.

They urged authorities to treat the issue as a priority, citing the sector’s importance to the country’s social and economic life.

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DP lawmaker Enno Bozdo, deputy chair of the parliamentary Economy, Employment and Finance Committee, presented the bill on a mechanism to respond to supply and pricing crises.

He said the law would allow the government to cut taxes such as the circulation and carbon levies, aligning prices with neighbouring Kosovo and North Macedonia.

Bozdo argued the current government oversight body only monitors price increases and reflected political interests, whereas his draft would provide legal mechanisms to manage crises transparently and protect consumers, in line with EU standards.

The parliament voted 77 against Bozdo’s request to consider the legislation under an accelerated procedure.

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Speaking at a press conference, Malaj explained how the reduced excise will be implemented when fuel prices rise above the 220 leks threshold.

“If the Board sets the retail price at 221 leks, the final selling price will be 221 leks minus a 20% excise reduction, or 213 leks,” Malaj said, adding the mechanism would be applied on a daily basis.

Prices below the 220 leks threshold will remain unchanged and follow levels set by the Board, he said.

Finance Minister also outlined steps to strengthen fuel traceability, centred on marking products sold domestically and tracking transit shipments in real time.

Fuel distributed within Albania will continue to be marked through a state-run system in line with European standards, he said.

Separately, tanker trucks carrying fuel in transit will be fitted with digital seals monitored from entry to exit. The seals will be removed once shipments leave the country, allowing them to proceed to their final destination, Malaj added.

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Market observations show that major fuel operators in Tirana are selling diesel between 182 and 185 leks per litre, up from about 168-175 leks before the escalation of the conflict.

Petrol prices have also increased, reaching up to 188 leks per litre, while liquefied gas is currently priced between 57 and 62 leks per litre.

Experts say the rise is linked to uncertainty in fuel supply and transportation routes, which has directly affected global oil markets.

The increase has also drawn attention from regulators. Albania’s Competition Authority has begun monitoring the fuel market to assess retail price movements and the impact of international factors on costs for consumers.

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The Board decided to fix the diesel retail price at 190 lek per litre, whereas the wholesale price is 178 lek per litre.

The Board decided to set the gasoline price at 185 lek per litre, whereas the wholesale price is 173 lek per litre.

The retail gas price is 75 lek per litre, whereas the wholesale price is 63 lek per litre.

According to the Board, the retail gas price for the households should not include the excise duty.

According to the Board decision the gasoline price for fishermen is set at 96 lek per litre.

The current prices set by the Board will enter into force on Saturday, February 4, at 18:00, and will remain in force until next Board meeting.

The Transparency Board was set up by the government last year in a bid to curb any speculation on fuel prices as a result of the conflict in Ukraine.

The Board includes representatives from the Finance and Economy Ministry, Infrastructure and Energy Ministry, the Directorate of Tax and Customs, the head of the Competition Authority, and representatives of major oil suppliers in the country.

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The Board decided to fix the diesel retail price at 197 lek per litre, whereas the wholesale price is 185 lek per litre.

The Board decided to set the gasoline price at 189 lek per litre, whereas the wholesale price is 177 lek per litre.

The retail gas price is 69 lek per litre, whereas the wholesale price is 57 lek per litre. According to the Board, the retail gas price for the households should not include the excise duty.

According to the Board decision the gasoline price for fishermen is set at 103 lek per litre.

The current prices set by the Board will enter into force on Thursday, February 2, at 18:00, and will remain in force until next Board meeting.

The Transparency Board was set up by the government last year in a bid to curb any speculation on fuel prices as a result of the conflict in Ukraine.

The Board includes representatives from the Finance and Economy Ministry, Infrastructure and Energy Ministry, the Directorate of Tax and Customs, the head of the Competition Authority, and representatives of major oil suppliers in the country.

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Addressing today’s plenary session of parliament, Balluku said that fuel price has nearly doubled in the international market, impacting a series of industries and commodity prices and Albania couldn’t be immune to the global energy crisis.

Balluku noted that the government acted promptly in a bid to curb speculations and keep oil and its by-products’ prices under control.

“By establishing the Board of Transparency, which includes representatives from the government and business representatives, the government is trying to protect citizens,” she said.

According to Balluku, the Normative Act adopted by the government defines the framework of obligations and limited rights of fuel suppliers for a limited period until the current crisis is over. It determines and monitors the retail sale prices of fuel, gas and their by-products for the household consumers.

The National Board on the Management of Fuel includes representatives from the Finance and Economy Ministry, Infrastructure and Energy Ministry, the Directorate of Tax and Customs, the head of the Competition Authority, and representatives of major oil suppliers in the country.

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The Board decided to fix the gasoline price at 211 lek per litre from 209 it was until today, whereas gas prices will remain unchanged at 115 lek per litre.

The Transparency Board was set up by the government last month in a bid to curb any speculation on fuel prices as a result of the conflict in Ukraine.

The Board includes representatives from the Finance and Economy Ministry, Infrastructure and Energy Ministry, the Directorate of Tax and Customs, the head of the Competition Authority, and representatives of major oil suppliers in the country.

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