The FINANCIAL — The first ten of 143 new environmentally-friendly buses, purchased by Tbilisi municipality with EU support, arrived in the Georgian capital Tbilisi on 30 September, with the remaining buses to be delivered in the coming months.
EU Ambassador to Georgia Janos Herman congratulated the Municipality of Tbilisi, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the E5P Fund and the citizens of Tbilisi on the purchase of the new blue buses, with newer and better technology.
The purchase of the buses was made possible by a grant of over GEL 18 million (EUR 7million) from the E5P Fund, to which the EU is the biggest contributor, according to EU Neighbours East info.
The buses are powered with compressed natural gas (CNG). Ambassador Herman welcomed the order as “a reminder of our commitments and also our responsibility towards future generations”, adding: “Let’s make these blue buses the symbol of a greener Tbilisi to come.”
“The European Union’s main goal is crystal clear,” he added: “with our contribution, we intend to help improving the environment, in particular the air quality in Tbilisi. You all know how pressing this need is.”
“Our objective is that these buses will stimulate systemic reforms, convincing people to shift from the use of private cars to public transport. This is fully in line with Georgia’s commitments concerning transport and environment under the Association Agreement with the European Union,” said the Ambassador.
The Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environmental Partnership (E5P Fund) unites the Eastern Partnership countries, European Commission and other bilateral donors to coordinate and accelerate the implementation of important energy efficiency and environmental projects.
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