In the stations of Chișinău, minibus and bus tickets are sold for Transnistrian rubles, according to an investigation by the publication “Cu sens”. Journalists managed to purchase the tickets and filmed the procedure.
At the Central Station, there is also a clandestine counter where Transnistrian rubles are exchanged, according to the publication. Transactions take place, even though the currency issued by the self-proclaimed authorities is not recognized on constitutionally controlled territory. The administrations of the Central Station and the North Station claim that such a thing could not happen and that they will investigate the incidents.
On the other hand, some business agents in the security zone operate concurrently with Transnistrian rubles and Moldovan lei. For instance, journalists found in Varnița a man who owns a shop, has two companies and two cash registers, one for transactions in lei, and the other – in Transnistrian rubles. One of the companies is registered on constitutionally controlled territory, while the other – on the left bank of the Dniester.
Although the situation is similar in other stores, the Varnița Police claim that they have not identified in the region “cases regarding the use of the Transnistrian ruble for making purchases”, notes realitatea.md. A similar response was also provided by the local public administration. Neither the Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration, Valeriu Chiveri, is aware of the problem and told journalists that the “Reintegration Office” is not an “investigation office” to be concerned with investigating these situations.