Kaladze: Public Transport Should Become Most Popular & Comfortable in Tbilisi

The Mayor of Tbilisi, Kakha Kaladze says that in order to reduce traffic jams and air pollution in the capital, public transport should become the most popular and comfortable means of transportation in the city.

In his interview with TV Pirveli, Kaladze stated that around 500,000 cars drive in Tbilisi, and car imports increase 6-7% every year.

“50% of these cars are 20 years old or more. There is a serious problem in terms of the vehicle exhaust in Tbilisi,” he stressed.

Kaladze noted that there are some suburbs in Tbilisi public transport does not go to, and added this problem will be solved in 2019.

“We will have new buses in the capital, which are environment-friendly, clean, comfortable and fast. We want to make public transport the most popular means of movement in the city,” he added.

The Mayor also spoke about the taxi regulations, as a result of which all taxi drivers underwent registration and obtained a license. He also mentioned the new regulation that all the taxis have to be of white color.

“The taxi drivers will not have to pay to get their cars painted white. We have also allocated parking lots where they can stop their cars without any fees. They will not have to pay the value-added tax either,” Kaladze said.

Earlier this month, the Mayor stated that at the end of 2019, the existing fleet of old buses will be completely replaced by new ones.

“In 2020, the Georgian capital can expect an additional 200 new electric buses,” he stated.

In the frames of the bus replacement program, a total of 750 buses will be purchased which will replace the old buses completely and increase the total number of buses by 200 units.

By Thea Morrison