Balti municipality received new trolleybuses

Chisinau, 21 May /MOLDPRES/- Balti residents benefit from public transport thanks to the purchase of about 11 new trolleybuses, financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership for Eastern Europe (E5P) fund.

"This is a concrete result for citizens. Thanks to this support, Balti inhabitants have access to more comfortable and ecological public transport, in accordance with the ecological approach of the European Union. I am proud to say that the European Union is a leader in promoting environmental sustainability and addressing the effects of climate change. The EU aims for Europe to become the world's first major economy with a climate-neutral effect by 2050, ” EU Ambassador to Moldova Peter Michalko said.

At the same time, the one million euro grant, offered additionally by the Swedish Government to Balti will transform the northern capital of the country into the first city in the Republic of Moldova to have a plan to develop transport infrastructure for the coming years.

"Trolleybuses will provide access for all citizens, including people with special needs or living in the suburbs of Balti, in the city center. Sweden's support for E5P is meant to support inclusive economic development in the Republic of Moldova. Here we also see the important role of local public authorities. We hope that we will be able to continue the logic of the project and the reforms that will allow access to opportunities for all women and men, with a focus on vulnerable groups in society, " Swedish Ambassador to Moldova Anna Lyberg said.

EBRD loan of 2.5 million euros to the municipal trolleybus company was supplemented by a 1.2 million euro- grant from E5P, of which the European Union is the largest donor.

E5P is a multi-donor fund of 243 million euros, initiated by Sweden, which operates in all Eastern Partnership countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine). The E5P fund in our country is 28 million euros and includes a contribution of one million euros from Chisinau. The EU is the largest contributor, with 18.75 million euros. The funds aim to help Moldova improve energy efficiency, contributing to energy security and economic competitiveness, political dialogue, while having a positive impact on the environment.

photo: commwithus.eu