Purchase of 51 new buses will lead to better service, environmental standards and operational efficiency in the city
New bus fleet will lead to better environmental standards and operational efficiency in the city
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is improving transport systems in Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, through a landmark €10 million investment to support the modernisation and purchase of a new bus fleet. This is the Bank’s first investment in the municipal sector in Kosovo.
With population of currently more than 200,000 inhabitants, Pristina is the largest city in the country and the development of public transport is vital due the rapid growth in population. At present, the city is relying on an outdated and often ineffective bus fleet, which causes high levels of pollution and affects the overall air quality in the capital.
The EBRD’s investment will improve environmental standards, service quality and operational efficiency. The project is supported by the Government of Kosovo as the ultimate guarantor of the loan.
The EBRD finance will be extended to Trafiku Urban, an urban transport company owned by the municipality of Pristina, for the purchase of 51 new diesel buses compliant with EURO-VI emissions standards. These buses will significantly reduce the levels of air and noise pollution and improve the service in the city. It will allow the transport company to align its operational standards to EU requirements and contribute to the commercialisation of the urban transport sector in Pristina.
The project benefits from a generous donation by the Czech Republic to assist with project preparation and implementation as well as with the development of a sustainable urban mobility plan for Pristina. The urban mobility plan aims at boosting private sector participation in transport planning.
“This is a landmark transaction -- our first joint project with the EBRD and the city of Pristina - and an important step towards a wider sustainable urban mobility plan for the city. The project will bring significant benefits to residents in terms of better service, air quality and noise reduction,” said Avdullah Hoti, Kosovo’s Minister of Finance.
“This is an important project for the EBRD, the Government and Trafiku Urban. We are proud to be part of the transformation of Pristina. With this transaction the EBRD is helping the city to introduce performance-based public service contracts, which will boost private sector participation”, added Elena Petrovska, EBRD Head of Kosovo.
“We’re proud to be working with the EBRD to pioneer the modernisation of our company. We believe that as a result of this project we will be able to improve our operational standards and help Pristina, a city committed to innovation and cutting-edge municipal infrastructure, become ’greener’”, concluded Halil Mustafa, CEO of Trafiku Urban.
The modernisation of Pristina’s bus fleet is the EBRD’s first municipal project in Kosovo and the first project financed under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the EBRD and the City in March 2015. The MoU identified urban transport, water and wastewater services, solid waste management, street lights and energy efficiency improvements as areas of cooperation.
The EBRD began investing in Kosovo in 1999. To date, the Bank has signed 46 projects in the country with a net cumulative business volume of more than €180 million. Kosovo became an EBRD member and country of operations in December 2012.
