Romania's Top Two Road Passenger Carriers Expect 10% Growth This Year

"We are hoping for 10% higher turnover in 2011, as the economic crisis' impact diminishes," said Daniel Micu, administrator of Atlassib, a company owned by businessman Ilie Carabulea. Atlassib is the leader of Romania's passenger road transport market. Last year, it posted a turnover of 275 million lei (around EUR65 million), up 2.2% on the year.

Eurolines owner Dragos Anastasiu is also eyeing a 10% growth, but for different reasons. "We believe our turnover will increase because of Romania's economic problems. Many people stand a poor chance of finding work in the country, while many Central and Western European states have emerged from the crisis and need workers. People who cannot find work in Romania will start once again to look for alternatives abroad," said Anastasiu, whose company posted a EUR9.5 million turnover last year.

Micu believes Atlassib will charge the same fares this year as in 2010, while Eurolines' owner says his prices could increase by at least 5-10%, because of higher fuel costs.

Atlassib runs 200 coaches on 35 international routes and Micu says it is not planning to add new destinations this year, but extend the network with new stops.

Eurolines operates 12 international routes, using 30 of its own coaches, plus around 20 from partners working under the company's brand. Anastasiu said his company will change its focus from long-distance routes to closer destinations, possibly Istanbul, Varna, Sofia, Athens, Chisinau or cities in Serbia and Ukraine.

Atlassib's three most profitable destinations are Italy, Germany and Spain, while Eurolines' top three is Germany, Switzerland and the Czech Republic.

Micu's hopes for this year include a stable market and the disappearance of illegal transporters. Unfair competition, together with rising costs and the price of fuel, especially, remain Atlassib's top problems.

Anastasiu sees a growth of coach transport in general, on the short-term, while on the long-term, he believes travel by coach to far away destinations will decline, being eaten up by air travel. "Short trips will remain profitable, especially to destinations in Eastern Europe," said the owner of Eurolines.

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