Eco-friendly transport in Tbilisi
By Messenger Staff
Wednesday, July 13
Blue eco-friendly buses, which run on gas rather than petrol or diesel, will operate in Georgia’s capital from September. The deal has already been signed between the relevant government bodies and supply companies.
Tbilisi Auto Park will gain 143 buses within 7 months after signing the agreement. The buses will be accessible for disabled people and will operate by means of natural gas, which causes less pollution.
Georgia’s capital will be gain its buses thanks to the financial efforts of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
Georgia’s Finance Ministry penned a deal with the EBRD in May this year. The agreement stated that the EBRD would grant ˆ27 million to Georgia for introducing the new buses this year, and in addition, the Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership promised to grant ˆ7 million to Georgia to purchase CNG-operated buses.
In total, Georgia received two grants totalling ˆ34 million.
Discussions about overvaluing Tbilisi’s public bus fleet started in December 2015 when the EBRD and Tbilisi City Hall announced ˆ30 million would be spent on purchasing 150 new buses for the capital city.
Deputy Tbilisi Mayor Irakli Lekvinadze said the buses would be mainly used for long-distance routes, as the length of the busses reached 12 meters.
The official also said the new busses would not cause a rise in any transport fees.
The buses will be brought to Tbilisi by the tender winning Man Truck and Bus AG company.
