“Our expenses for fuels increased by €30,000 - €40,000 since January,” said Dan Petrescu, owner and single shareholder of Dacos. Petrescu added that he was forced to raise fees by 20 percent as of 1 June. “Expenses are very high for all companies,” Petrescu added.

The owner of Dacos said he is in negotiations with a European company to sell half or the entire company. Dacos’ turnover rose 20 percent in the first half of 2008. Last year, the company posted turnover worth some €6 million, 25 percent higher than in 2006. Its main competitors are Atlassib and Eurolines.

Petrescu added that he will invest up to €5 mln this year to acquire 16 new buses. “We already acquired eight buses, and will buy a further eight by the end of the year,” said the company’s owner. Petrescu indicated that he does not plan to introduce new international routes.