Transporters are buying coaches as they're 20% cheaper

The two biggest road passenger carriers, Atlassib and Eurolines, with 90m-euro turnover last year, are set to invest several million euros this year to buy coaches, despite their still falling turnovers. "We will invest 2.5m euros to add 10 coaches to our fleet, to be acquired in a leasing system. We will make a down payment of 500,000 euros this year," stated the representatives of Eurolines, controlled by businessman Dragos Anastasiu. The reason that prompted the decision to buy new coaches is that "the fleet needs to be renewed and cars are cheaper now," Eurolines owners say. Coach prices are now 15-20% lower than in 2008, according to market data, and the average value stands at 250,000 euros. Eurolines operates with 33 own coaches on international routes and with another 20 together with various partners. Sibiu businessman Ilie Carabulea, controlling Atlassib, has also earmarked investments to expand the vehicle fleet. Carabulea says he bought 15 new coaches last year and plans to buy more this year. Atlassib operates with a fleet of 200 coaches on international routes.