A CNG Bus operating in Almaty (Image: EBRD)
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is stepping up its support of the Kazakh city of Almaty’s comprehensive reform to its public transportation system. EBRD and the city signed a loan agreement (January 30) for a senior 10-year US$ 39.3 million loan which will be used to buy up to 200 new CNG (compressed natural gas) buses.
The new project is part of an integrated approach to urban transport in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s biggest city. Almaty’s municipal bus, tram and trolleybus company has already embarked on a far-reaching reform, with the help of EBRD financing. EBRD initiated the first phase of Almaty’s public transport with a US$ 36 million (€27 million) loan to AET for the purchase of 200 new low floor CNG-powered buses in 2010.
The city is already working on procuring CNG buses (see below) and trolleybuses and has built the electrical substations they need. It is now preparing to transform an old tram line into a new light rail system and launch an intelligent transportation system as well as integrated eticketing. The EBRD is either already financing these improvements or is considering financing them. In addition, the EBRD is arranging US$ 686,000 in grants from international donors and its own funds to support this transport reform in Almaty. The city itself is providing about US$ 600,000 in grants for consultancy services and training.
“The EBRD and the city of Almaty share a vision: we believe in greener, safer and more modern transport for this ambitious city”, said Thomas Maier, EBRD Managing Director for Infrastructure. “Since the city first shared its vision with the Bank in 2009 and the two became strategic partners, passenger numbers served by Almatyelectrotrans have surged from 15 million to 48 million per year. This new project we are signing today will further help Almaty become a faster-moving and cleaner city”.
The loan agreement was signed in Almaty by Mr Thomas Maier from the EBRD and the CEO of Almatyelectrotrans, the municipal urban transport company, Mr Kopzhasar Dakenov.
Since the beginning of its operations in Kazakhstan, the EBRD has invested over US$ 6 billion in the country’s economy in over 160 projects. In 2012, the Bank invested over US$ 500 million in Kazakhstan.
Procurement Closing date: 18 July 2013 (23:59 PM Local time)
Procurement notice 6729-GPN-43718, listed on the EBRD website, was issued mid 2012 and closes 18 July 2013.
The project, which has the total estimated costs equivalent of USD 43,300,000 will require the procurement of the following goods, works and services:
- Procurement of 200 new CNG buses
- Reconstruction of bus deport
- Procurement and project implementation support
Contact
Interested suppliers, contractors and consultants should contact Mr. Talgat Abdykarimovich Abdrahmanov, Director, KGP Almatyelektrotrans regarding current procurement status. Tel: + 7 727 375 2980 or Fax: + 7 727 375 0357.
Further information is available on the ERBD website.
(This article primarily compiled using information from EBRD)
