Municipality of Tirana announces measures to ease traffic on first day of school
In preparation for the start of the new school year on Monday, September 9, the Municipality of Tirana has introduced new traffic regulations aimed at reducing delays for parents and children during morning hours.
Why this news is significant
The first day of school is traditionally marked by extreme traffic congestion in Tirana. The measures are designed to improve traffic flow and safety around schools during peak times and include volunteer support to help manage the changes.
Context
Erion Veliaj, the Mayor of Tirana, announced that the police have recruited volunteers to assist citizens and manage traffic flow at each school. He emphasized a new rule prohibiting the movement of vehicles delivering to stores from 07:00 to 09:00 AM.
“On Monday, we will start with the new traffic regime. We will also engage volunteers to help children cross at pedestrian lines, in addition to assistance from the Municipal Police and Traffic Police. This weekend, we will publish the Mayor’s decree regarding the morning traffic schedule. During the school arrival time, from 7:00 to 9:00 AM, we will completely suspend delivery vehicles,” said Veliaj.
Additionally, Mayor Veliaj encouraged parents employed in the public administration to adjust their morning routines to avoid traffic until 09:00 AM. He highlighted that the new flexible work schedule implemented for the public administration allows these parents to start their workday at 9:00 AM. This adjustment aims to ease morning traffic and is part of a broader appeal to the community to support the new traffic regulations for the benefit of all.
Go deeper
Editorial note: The opposition’s protest that wasn’t
Published on December 23, 2024
Parliament Leaders’ Conference rejects opposition’s request on Inquiry into Durrës Port Project
Published on December 23, 2024
Why is this important: The opposition’s requested inquiry would have lasted six months, overlapping with the critical pre-election period. During election seasons, Parliament’s activities, including those of inquiry committees, are limited, making the establishment of such a committee practically unfeasible. The Democratic Party has a history of opposing projects proposed and implemented by their Socialist rivals for political gain. When in power, the Berisha government halted several projects initiated by the Municipality of Tirana, then led by Edi Rama, even demolishing some under construction on questionable grounds without awaiting court rulings. In opposition, the Democrats have continued this pattern, at times organizing protests—some of which turned violent—against projects that later proved to be highly popular and contributed significantly to the Socialists’ electoral successes.
SPAK reclassifies charges against former Minister Ilir Beqaj in sterilization concession case
Published on December 23, 2024
Why is this important: The decision marks a significant escalation in the case, as the charges now carry more severe penalties. Until now, Beqaj was accused solely of abuse of office, while his deputy faced charges of fraud, document forgery, and abuse of office. Businessman Ilir Rrapaj had been charged with fraud. The judge handling this case, previously gained attention when she accepted a request to lift house arrest for opposition leader Sali Berisha, whose own corruption case is set to begin soon. Berisha has credited his party for the new direction in the sterilization case, suggesting it influenced SPAK’s decision to strengthen the charges against the former Socialist minister.