Control finds fund misuse, unnecessary spending at Bucharest Public Transport Company RATB

A recent control by the Romanian Government at the Bucharest Public Transport Company RATB found that the company covered a EUR 2.6 million loss in some areas of the activity by using money destined for the public transport service, which is publicly funded. Apart from the misuse of funds, the control, which covered the period 2010-2012, also found irregularities in awarding acquisition contracts.

The RATB, which posted zero profit in 2010 and 2011, had spent some EUR 100,000 on protocol, out of which the majority on cafeteria products, pastry, beverages and coffee for the management. Some other EUR 2,300 were spent on six expensive Mont Blanc pens, for members of the RATB board. By using the state subventions destined to cover social public transport tariffs, RATB made some expenses for its employees and its employees' families. The Government now plans to submit a complaint to the National Anti-Corruption Agency following the results of the control. During the surveyed period, RATB posted a loss of some EUR 1 million via its secondary activities at the cafeteria, guest house in Predeal and the sports association. RATB received in 2010 and 2011 a little over EUR 220 million from the local budget to cover social tariffs, but the company did not have any accounting documents to show how the subventions were to be used. editor@romania-insider.com