The EBRD is financing the modernisation of urban transport in the central Croatian city of Sisak with a €4.5 million loan. The funds will be used for the acquisition of 17 new buses with Euro VI-standard-compliant diesel engines. The new vehicles will improve service for the city’s 60,000 inhabitants and benefit the environment by reducing emissions.
The investment is supported by €400,000 provided by the EBRD Shareholder Special Fund to fund technical cooperation for the preparation and implementation of the project. The municipal bus company Auto promet Sisak d.o.o. as beneficiary of the loan will also receive support to draw up a public service contract in line with the relevant EU regulations.
Sisak is located 60 km south east of the country’s capital, Zagreb. It is a regional economic, cultural and historical centre. In 2013 the EBRD invested in the local steel works in Sisak and has also supported the municipality’s modernisation of its water and wastewater services.
Thomas Maier, EBRD Managing Director, Infrastructure, said: “This loan underlines the EBRD’s ongoing commitment to supporting Croatian municipalities as they adapt to market standards and EU regulations. With a new public service contract the local public transport company will be able to operate on a commercially successful basis.”
Vedrana Jelušić Kašić, EBRD Director for Croatia, added: “We are proud to strengthen our longstanding engagement with the city of Sisak through this loan. We are confident that the new buses will be well received by the public and will boost environmental and safety standards. This will strengthen demand for public transport and facilitate its expansion. Therefore, we hope to develop similar projects with other cities in Croatia.”
Kristina Ikić Baniček, the Mayor of Sisak, said: “Through this project, which includes five different studies financed by the EBRD, we will establish good foundations for raising the quality of public transport for the citizens of Sisak. We want to have new buses and satisfied users of public transport. The new Auto promet bus fleet and the modernisation of the maintenance represent a major step for the company.”
The EBRD has been active in Croatia since the country’s independence and has invested around €3 billion in more than 160 projects to date. The Bank’s activities include all sectors of the economy and are especially strong in the infrastructure, corporate, financial and energy sectors.
