Thousands of students, citizens, and pensioners protest in Tuzla over announced public transport price hike

(Patria) - A mass protest was held in Tuzla today over the announced increase in city transport ticket prices, with the ticket price expected to be 3.5 KM.

Thousands of students, pupils, citizens, and pensioners gathered on Trg slobode.

The private company Gradski i prigradski saobraćaj (GiPS) announced that there has been a new price increase of about 30 percent, and that from February, the provision of regular public line transport services on Sundays and holidays will be suspended.

"My monthly ticket has increased from 140 KM to 180 KM. Otherwise, prices range from 105 KM to 200 KM. Does this mean that education will become a luxury for ordinary citizens?" says Anes Poljić, a member of the informal group of youth TK.

The ticket price was 2.50 KM, while with the new increase, the ticket price is 3.50 KM.

Students on the Poljice - Tuzla route will pay a monthly ticket of over 200 KM.

Pensioners are also concerned, especially those from peripheral local communities. Pensioners have already held a protest over their poor situation and low pensions.

"The local community of Pasci is 5-6 kilometers away from Tuzla, and we pay enormous transport prices. How can parents educate two children if they have to pay around 400 KM for monthly tickets? Where are the children's sandwiches? This agony is not from yesterday. It dates back to the time when former mayor Selim Bešlagić sold GIPS. I warned about this, but they only make some case studies and go in circles," says Senahid Avdić from the local community of Pasci.

Students and pupils have submitted demands to the authorities and proposed measures they believe will bring improvement.

''We demand the immediate revocation of the decision on price increases as well as the revocation of the decision to cancel regular rides on Sundays and holidays. We demand the introduction of a larger number of regular lines and the direct inclusion of representatives of the organizing committee of the Informal group of youth in meetings of the authorities and GIPS,'' these are the short-term measures that young people are demanding.

When it comes to long-term measures, they are seeking a subsidy of tickets at a rate of 45% until the start of the new school year.

''The Government of TK and the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Transport are obliged to find a model for subsidizing tickets or enabling free public transport for pupils, students, and pensioners,'' they stated.

Furthermore, they demand free public transport for vulnerable categories, pupils, students, pensioners, war military invalids, and demobilized soldiers by the beginning of 2026.