2024-03-31 08:20:36
The municipality of Rhodes is preparing a competition for the assignment of the transport project of DES RODA to a private individual. However, by the time the tender was aired, 25 two-month contracts for the recruitment of drivers had been announced.
“The integration of DES RODA into the Municipality of Rhodes is half complete, some procedural issues are pending. We are close to completing the process. We will follow the beaten path, possibly with some modifications. Improvements will come from next year, where we can and where we think we should.
There is a need for drivers to improve and expand the transportation project. There are 12 permanent employees and the contract employees have been dismissed. That’s why we decided to announce 25 two-month driver positions. Next, we are going to announce a tender by which we will request drivers and workers of other specialties from private individuals. Hiring will be done at market wages and therefore higher than what the drivers would receive directly from the municipality. As these are specialties with a high demand, their recruitment through the private sector is expected to work positively in order to staff the service and strengthen the transport project”, said in a press conference given yesterday by the authorized adviser for Transport and Traffic Equipment, Mr. Stergos Papastergis.
He also mentioned that there are various interested private individuals and that discussions have taken place without, however, for the moment having any … even informal agreement.
As for the fleet of …DES RODA, Mr. Papastergis stated that he is “satisfactory” with some new buses and several old ones that are maintained with the existing forces. “It is a fleet that presents every year some problems that we try to solve in the best possible way,” he said.
Electromobility
The electrification within the city and the movement of drivers by minibus from the port of Akadia to Mantraki are going to start in May according to Mr. Papastergis who specifically stated that: “In May, the routes of mini bus from the passenger port to Mantraki and vice versa for the transport of drivers who will park their vehicles in “Akantia”. Also, in May, the electrification of the Medieval City will begin for the transport of permanent residents and visitors to hard-to-reach places.”
The tickets
The tickets, as Mr. Papastergis said, will no longer be issued on the buses. They are available in various mini markets and kiosks and can also be purchased from vending machines.
“There are vending machines at three locations where passengers can purchase tickets, which are no longer issued on buses. They are also available in various mini markets and kiosks while we are trying to launch the electronic passenger card as well. We are also trying to negotiate with Fraport to install a vending machine at the airport,” said Mr. Papastergis.