Tbilisi will introduce gas operated buses in 2016

Georgia’s capital Tbilisi is overhauling and modernising its public bus fleet to reduce vehicle emissions and curb rising pollution levels caused by old, deteriorating buses.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Tbilisi City Hall will invest €30 million to purchase 150 new buses for Tbilisi.

Today Tbilisi Mayor David Narmania said the buses would operate on compressed natural gas (CNG) instead of petrol or diesel. The 150 new vehicles will be introduced in Tbilisi in 2016.

Narmania said negotiations with EBRD had concluded and together with City Hall, the two sides would allocate €30 million to purchase the new buses.

We will soon announce a tender and specify prices,” Narmania added. 

Upgrading the public bus fleet in Tbilisi was one of several projects in the pipeline to improve the sustainability of the country’s transport sector and reduce the effects of vehicle emissions.