EBRD finances modern accessible buses in Astana

The EBRD is continuing to support modern public transport in Kazakhstan by financing modern accessible buses in Astana.

The €65 million project will buy 200 accessible buses in Astana, which will help satisfy the increasing demand for public transport in the country’s fast-growing capital.

The municipal company, Astana LRT, will purchase up to 200 low-floor accessible buses in order to accommodate passengers in wheelchairs or with pushchairs. These will be leased to several local bus operators, which are a mixture of both private and public-owned.

As part of the project, the EBRD will also provide a grant of €75,000 for the preparation and maintenance of public service contracts between the city and transport operators, which will lease the new buses.

The loan agreement was signed during President Nazarbayev’s visit to London, by the Akim (Mayor) of Astana, Adilbek Zhaksybekov, and the EBRD’s First Vice President, Phil Bennett.

Phil Bennett said: “Today I am very proud to sign this agreement which marks the start of our cooperation with the nation’s capital in the public transport sector.”

These public service contracts will set out quality standards and the required frequency of transport service for participating companies. As a result, private operators will be able to deliver the necessary services at less busy times of day and on less popular routes, providing quality and reliable transport services to citizens. 

This new project, of financing accessible buses in Astana, marks the fourth Kazakh city where the EBRD has invested in modern public transport. The Bank has financed CNG buses in Almaty and Kyzylorda, trams in Pavlodar and electric substations used byelectic transport in Almaty. 

Janet Heckman, EBRD Director for Kazakhstan, said: “Our priority is to improve lives for the citizens of Kazakhstan and therefore we are increasing our investment in public transport and utilities all around the country.”