Greener, more inclusive public transport in Georgia

The EBRD is helping to bring modern buses to the fast-growing Georgian capital, Tbilisi, as part of the Bank’s Green Cities Framework. Up to 140 new vehicles financed by the EBRD will feature lower floors, making public transport easier for passengers with limited movement, including elderly and disabled people. The buses will run on compressed natural gas, which generates much lower levels of particulate emissions than other fuels. This will help to improve air quality in the city of 1.2 million people.

As part of the project, the bus company will introduce an equal opportunities programme and seek to increase the number of women it employs in technical positions such as that of bus driver. In addition to the €27 million sovereign loan, the EBRD is providing €1.5 million in TC funds to assist Tbilisi in developing a plan to address its environmental priorities.

The Bank loan is supported by a capital grant of up to €7 million from the Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership, a multi-donor fund managed by the EBRD.