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North Macedonia commuters protest rising intercity transport costs
Citizens and workers in North Macedonia are protesting rising intercity transport costs, which are significantly impacting household budgets. An open letter addressed to authorities highlights that monthly tickets for commuters traveling from cities like Tetovo, Kumanovo, and Gostivar to Skopje have reached levels that consume a large portion of average salaries.
For example, a monthly ticket from Tetovo to Skopje costs 6,500 denars, representing 25 percent of a 26,000 denar monthly salary. In Gostivar, monthly costs can reach 8,000 denars. Commuters have questioned the lack of price parity between routes of similar distances, noting that the Skopje-Katlanovo route is significantly cheaper due to the availability of public urban alternatives, whereas intercity travelers rely heavily on private transport.
Students are also facing high costs, with monthly travel from Tetovo or Kumanovo to Skopje estimated at 10,000 and 8,000 denars respectively. While public transport is free for students within Skopje, no such subsidies exist for those commuting from other cities. Education Minister Vesna Janevska stated that student transport subsidies are not currently a priority, though Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski has promised to review the issue.
Entities
Hristijan Mickoski · Kumanovo · Skopje · Tetovo · Vesna Janevska
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The monthly ticket for the Tetovo-Skopje route increased from 5,500 to 6,500 denars as of September 1, 2026. tetova1.mk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The monthly ticket for the Gostivar-Skopje route costs 8,000 denars. ts.mk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] There is a significant price discrepancy between the Skopje-Katlanovë route (1,600 denars monthly) and the Tetovo-Skopje route (6,500 denars monthly) despite similar distances. ts.mk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski promised a review of student transport subsidies. tetovasot.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Minister of Education stated that subsidizing intercity transport for students is not currently a government priority. tetovasot.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The monthly ticket for the Kumanovo-Skopje route costs 6,000 denars. tetova1.mk · ts.mk
- [● 2 SOURCES] Citizens and workers issued an open letter demanding a debate on rising intercity transport prices and their impact on living standards. tetova1.mk · ts.mk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Students traveling from Kumanovo to Skopje face monthly costs of approximately 8,000 denars, while those from Tetovo face 10,000 denars. tetovasot.com