Tbilisi mayor vows “fastest, very comfortable” public transport, reduced traffic congestion
Tbilisi mayor Kakha Kaladze on Wednesday commented on traffic jams and overcrowded public transport in Tbilisi. Photo: Tbilisi city hall press office
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Tbilisi mayor Kakha Kaladze on Wednesday pledged his body would ensure the “fastest, most accessible and comfortable” public transport and reduced traffic congestion in the capital city, in response to citizens’ worries over recently observed traffic jams and overcrowded public transport.
Speaking to the media, the official said regulatting the traffic-related issues required a “complex approach” that also included reduction in the number of private vehicles on Tbilisi streets.
About 590,000 cars are on roads in Tbilisi on a daily basis, which is a very big figure”, Kaladze said. He also told the press relevant agencies of Tbilisi city hall had identified 12 locations requiring “certain works to prevent traffic jams”, telling city residents authorities were working to resolve the issue but adding the problem “was never going to be settled in an instant”.
Kaladze said that municipal transport was unable to serve about 100,000 passengers on Tuesday due to problems on the road, pledging to address the causes of the problems. Photo: Tbilisi city hall press office.
The mayor also said the completion of ongoing road rehabilitation works on Queen Ketevan and Melikishvili avenues would ensure modern road infrastructure for “updated and European-style” public transport in Tbilisi and “encourage citizens to use them instead of private vehicles”.
Despite complications caused by the coronavirus pandemic, “all projects” planned for city transport have been implemented, he told the media.
Major renovation work on central Melikishvili Street in Tbilisi. Photo taken in August. Photo: Tbilisi City Hall press office.
The initial goal was to update the public transport and replace the outdated fleet with new vehicles. We have completely replaced the fleet. It is true that Tbilisi has the newest and the most organised public transport because we managed to renew the fleet with the support of international financial organisations”, Kaladze said.
Stressing that the “public transport is technically sound and adapted to the people with disabilities'”, the official also acknowledged the necessary next step on increasing accessibility of public transport in “comfort and commute”.
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