The Democratic Party mayoral candidate for Tirana Belind Këlliçi explained today how he intends to make reality his promise for free public transportation in the Albanian capital, and how important it will be for the citizens.

Speaking on the morning show “Kafe shqeto” on Syri TV, Këlliçi added Albania is the European country with the highest number of asthmatic children and free public transportion will help to improve the situation.

“We’ll modern and free public transportation. In addition to the annual €16.5 million for this service, other €5 million will be invested for the modernization of the bus fleet”, said Këlliçi. “Tell me a bus stop in Tirana today with a time table, an information table for the citizens to see when the bus arrives. There is none”.

“We will adopt the best models in Europe and world, just for the information of the skeptics that think we would be the first city to do that”, said the Democrat candidate, showing a list of cities around the world where free public transportation is offered.

Këlliçi added the free public transportation would ease the life of 200,000 citizens that use the service, and it reduce air pollution and diseases related to that.

“There are too many sick people in Tirana on account of the polluted air. We are the European country with the highest number of asthmatic children and this is not normal. This is totally doable and if it will cost 6,8% of the entire municipality budget it would be wonderful news because it is affordable, provided one has the good will to serve the citizens”.