Batumi AutoTransport LLC Illegally Fines Passengers with 5 Lari

Batumi AutoTransport LLC fines passengers without tickets or with unstamped tickets with 5 GEL though according to the instruction they should be fined only with 3 GEL.

Several days ago, a new notice was put up in public buses stating “the passengers without ticket will be fined with 5 GEL”. Controllers and bus-drivers suggested us to find out the reason of the difference between the official instruction and fine protocols with the administration.

The Human Rights Center called Guram Tsintsadze, deputy director of the Batumi AutoTransport LLC to find out the situation.

“You are right; the fine is 5 GEL but the Batumi City Hall fixes the fines for our company. Soon, after the summer-vacations, the Batumi City Council will release a new resolution in increasing the fine up to 5 GEL. Simply, according to initially printed tickets the fine was 3 GEL,” said Guram Tsintsadze.

Changes have not been made in the tickets yet.

We asked Tsintsadze why increased fines are imposed on passengers before the Batumi City Council passes corresponding instruction and he replied: “You are right; but the director will be in office in 3-4 days and you can talk with him.”

The deputy director of the Batumi AutoTransport LLC does not know how many passengers have been illegally fined so far.

The ticket system was introduced by the Batumi AutoTransport LLC on June 30, 2011. Tickets are sold in shopping centers and press-booths. They sell five categories of tickets: with the price of 0.60 GEL (double traveling), 1,70 GEL (six-way travelling), 4 GEL (15-way travelling) and 3 GEL (15-way travelling). The latter is for students and retired people.

The Batumi City Hall owns 100 % of the Batumi AutoTrasnport LLC.

Maka Malakmadze, Adjara