The current outdated fleet of yellow minibuses (marshrutkas) in the Georgian capital city of Tbilisi will soon be replaced by 300 new Ford minibuses that will appear in the city step-by-step six months, announces Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze.
The tender for the purchase of new mini buses closed and an agreement signed with the winning company on September 18.
We announced a tender on July 15 for the purchase of 300 mini buses and started replacing the current fleet, which is in poor condition, gradually. The tender has already closed and we have a winning company. As a result, 300 Ford minibuses will gradually arrive in the capital. Within 180 calendar days all 300 mini buses will be here", Kaladze said.
Currently about 3,000 mini buses operate in Tbilisi. Kaladze said that their number will be reduced to 1,200.
Since 2011 Tbilisi Minibus Company has been operating a yellow minibus fleet in Tbilisi.
Current fare for one-way travel, on long routes, is 80 tetri and on short routes - 50 tetri.