Balti town purchased new trolleybuses with a loan of €3 million provided by the EBRD and with an EU grant of €1.6 million. The first nine trolleybuses of the 23 bought started to run on routes today, May 22. The others are being transported to Moldova from Belarus, IPN reports, quoting a communiqué from the Government.

Attending the launch of trolleybuses, Prime Minister Iurie Leanca said this is a project aimed at developing Moldova, implemented with the support of European taxpayers. “The 23 trolleybuses will replace the old trolleybuses and will improve the people’s lives and the image and infrastructure of Balti municipality, which is a model for economic, scientific and cultural development,” he stated.

Head of the EBRD Office in Moldova Julia Otto said the new trolleybuses are comfortable, environmentally friendly and energy efficient. “More than 100 trolleybuses purchased with the assistance of the EBRD run in Chisinau. We are proud that new trolleybuses will now run on the streets of Balti too,” she stated.

Head of the Operations Section of the EU Delegation to Moldova Kaido Sirel noted that this project is a good example of efficient cooperation between the European Union, the EBRD and the Government of Moldova.

The trolleybuses have air-conditioning, are ecological and economical and are outfitted with a stair that enables wheelchair users to get onto.

Also today, the Premier laid flowers at the monument to Ruler Stefan the Great and visited the craftsmen’s exhibition in Balti, mounted on the occasion of the City’s Day.