CHISINAU, October 1 (RIA Novosti) - Pensioners in Moldova's capital Chisinau blocked on Thursday the entrance into the municipal administration building in protest against a price hike on water utilities and public transportation.

Protests are being held for the third day, including in front of the mayor's office. Chisinau pensioners are demanding that the government step down.

Chisinau transportation chief Nikolai Margoc told journalists that as today is International Pensioners Day, pensioners would be able to travel free on public transport.

"But this does not change yesterday's municipal decision to cancel free trips for pensioners on public transportation," he added.

The protests were launched in response to a decision by local authorities to raise public transportation fees by 1 leu (10 cents) to 2 leus (20 cents) and 3 leus (30 cents) for trolleybus and bus tickets, respectively, and water supply fees to 9.19 leus (92 cents) per ton.

Chisinau Mayor Dorin Chirtoaca was saved by his bodyguards after protestors attacked him outside his office on Tuesday evening.