| Project Detail |
Location: Kosovo Project number: 51923 Business sector: Municipal and environmental infrastructure Notice type: State Environmental category: B Approval date: 06 Dec 2022 Status: Approved PSD disclosed: 07 Dec 2022 Purchase of 30 new buses, comprising 24 Euro VI buses and 6 battery electric buses and related charging infrastructure, which will be added to the existing bus fleet of Trafiku Urban (the Client or the Company), to expand its operations (the Project). The Project will enable the Company to increase the frequency of bus services and to add new routes across the Municipality of Pristina (the City). The 6 electric buses will be deployed on a pilot route with the aim to introduce electric bus technology for the first time in the country. Project Objectives The Projects objective is to increase services and improve the reliability, sustainability, safety and efficiency of Pristinas public transport. The Project is expected to bring the following benefits: Extend and improve public transport services in the city of Pristina; Support a continued shift from private cars to public transport; Facilitate easy access for passengers, particularly those with limited movement, including the elderly and the disabled; Improve the reliability, safety and efficiency of public transport; Reduce air pollution emissions from public transport, improving local air quality; and Reduce GHG through the launch of a pilot electric bus route. The introduction of an electric bus route is an important step towards developing a sustainable urban transport system. Fleet electrification strategies typically start with an initial limited number of vehicles allocated to specific bus routes for operational and demonstration purposes. This allows familiarisation with technology and maintenance and limits the risks of purchase of full fleets under rapid technological development. The same strategy is considered to be appropriate for Pristina, where the operator aims to introduce electric bus technology for the first time in the country by purchasing 6 electric vehicles to operate on a flagship circular route passing through Pristina city center. This pilot will be used to gain experience of the operation of public electric buses and will facilitate the continued transition of the fleet to electric buses in the future. The introduction of electric buses and EURO VI buses will reduce GHG emissions by 76% compared to the baseline and will deliver a substantial reduction of air pollutant emissions, making the Project eligible for EBRD Green Cities and compatible with the Green Economy Transition Approach 2021-2025 (BDS20-082/F). |
