TRANSPORT > MOLDOVA

For your wedding, get a trolleybus

Theres a new fashion in the Moldovan capital Chisinau. www.enpi-info.eu Instead of a limousine for their wedding, some couples order a trolleybus a vehicle also in demand for birthdays, school-leaving parties and other events. A year ago, it would have been unimaginable. Most people treated trolleybuses with utter contempt, an attitude more than justied by their shabby appearance. It all changed in April 2011, when, on the eve of Easter and thanks to the EU support, the first new trolleybuses appeared on the streets of Chisinau. Our journalist took a ride
Text by Dmitri KALAK Photos by Doru Dumitru

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Chisinau In June 2007 Dorin Chirtoaca became the youngest ever mayor of trolleybuses. Chisinau. He was just 29. From the very first days he had to solve complex problems, the main ones including drinking water and heating supply, as well as reliable public transport. Lack of funds made it very difficult to replace the worn communication networks, as well as to renew the municipal transport fleet. In this situation, the mayors visit to Europe in late 2007 proved crucial. He met several people, including the leaders of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and asked for support. This involved bringing heating, water and transport rates in accordance with actual expenses, says Mr Chirtoaca. The unpopular measures taken by the young mayor roused protests. But he did not give in to the pressure and went on to implement what he had planned. In August 2010, a contract was signed with the EBRD to buy new trolleybuses for Chisinau. At the same time, negotiations took place with the European Investment Bank and an application was submitted for an EU grant. In autumn 2010 the complete project budget was determined, which amounted to 13.7 mil- ENPI Info Centre Feature no. 62 This is a series of features on lion. The EBRD and EIB provided loans of 5 million each, while the EU projects funded by the EUs Regional offered 3.7 million free of charge. The tender for supplying 102 trol- Programme, prepared by journalists and photographers on the ground leybuses was won by Belkommunmash from Minsk.
or the ENPI Info Centre. 2011 ENPI Info Centre / EU

N Citizens using the new public

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End-to-end solution of transport problems

Improving cooperation with European institutions gave an impetus to solving many other city problems. We have a strong experience in implementing such projects in many countries, including those in post-Soviet territory, says Octavian Costas, EBRD consultant in the country. Besides providing the financial support, it is important for us to create an effective instrument for long-term development in the field. Chisinau authorities managed to grasp this idea, and proceeded to implement end-to-end solutions using our financial and advisory assistance. To begin with, the EBRD paid an international consulting company to make an audit of the state of Chisinau transport. This allowed to pinpoint the pain spots that stood in the way of successful development and cost-effective work of the industry. Based on the audit results, it was decided to introduce a system of electronic tickets in trolleybuses, as well as to work out a long-term strategy for municipal transport development. With the financial support we have received, we are not going to just purchase 102 new trolleybuses says Dorin Chirtoaca. We have already concluded an agreement with Belkommunmash to arrange the assembly of trolleybuses in Chisinau. This will make it possible to renew the fleet when needed, and to make the project sustainable in the long period. City roads are another problem, continues Chirtoaca, so we have started reconstructing the main city thoroughfares. Here we are also assisted by EBRD and EIB. They have assigned 16 million to repair ten streets, all is done according to the European standards the bed quality, the pavements, the lighting and parking space.

N The Mayor of Chisinau, Mr Dorin Chirtoaca, talking to passengers on a new trolleybus.

Before the new machines were purchased, over 90% of the vehicles were past their expiry date. They would often break down, the runs were cancelled, passengers were upset Now all has changed and people enjoy a trolleybus ride

Besides providing the financial support, it is important for us to create an effective instrument for long-term development. Chisinau authorities managed to grasp this idea, and proceeded to implement end-to-end solutions using our financial and advisory assistance

A European capital for Europeans

According to Gheorghe Morgoci, Director of Electric Transport Administration in Chisinau, passenger traffic on lines where the new trolleybuses are running has grown by 20-30%. In Chisinau, over 300 trolleybuses run every day, says Gheorghe Morgoci Before the new machines were purchased, over 90% of the vehicles were past their expiry date. They would often break down, the runs were cancelled, passengers were upset and preferred to take mini-buses or buses. Now all has changed and people enjoy a trolleybus ride. At the stops in Chisinau, people often do not want to get on an old trolleybus or bus. They prefer to wait for some 5-7 minutes for the new white-and-blue trolleybuses made in Belarus. The colour, incidentally, was chosen by the citizens themselves through an online vote. Trolleybus passenger Nadezhda, 39, works as an accountant in a small company. I used to take a trolleybus only in emergency. They screeched, they were noisy, in winter they were cold and in summer stifling It is completely different now. The vehicles are very comfortable, noiseless, complete with conditioners and heating. I like the visual displays which show the next stop and other useful information. Vladimir Gheorghita has been a trolleybus driver since 1991. I had a chance to work on many vehicles, but this one is the best, both for the driver and for passengers. However, I had to do some re-training there are many electronic devices in the new trolley. But I am used to it now.

N Gheorghe Margoci, Director of Electric Transport Administration, together with a bus driver.

N Dorin Chirtoaca shows a transport ticket.

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N One of the 102 new buses bought with the support of the EBRD.

Maria Cimpoies works with Vladimir as a conductor. She is a bit worried that once electronic tickets are introduced she may lose her job. I love working in these trolleybuses, its pure joy, they are so comfortable and cozy. You wont believe it, but even the passengers have changed they smile and make jokes more often, and will never throw rubbish on the floor. What a shame if I lose this job. The director of the trolleybus fleet, Alexandra Vasilieva, does not see any reason for such worries. We care for our people, and we wont have massive redundancies. Many workers are approaching retirement age and they will go on pension. The conductors will be offered alternative jobs some will be checking vehicles on line, others will be re-trained as drivers. If the passengers go on choosing us in favour of other kinds of public transport, we might increase the number of vehicles in service. Life will show. The main thing is that we are not ashamed of our trolleybuses any more. Chisinau residents deserve to have European conditions on their transport.

If the passengers go on choosing us in favour of other kinds of public transport, we might increase the number of vehicles in service. Life will show.

NIF - Neighbourhood Investment Facility

The NIF (Neighbourhood Investment Facility) is an innovative instrument of the ENP, aiming at mobilising additional funding for infrastructure projects in the Neighbourhood area.
http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/where/neighbourhood/regionalcooperation/irc/investment_en.htm
Objective Bringing together grant funding from the European Commission and the EU Member States and loans from European Public Finance Institutions, the NIF (Neighbourhood Investment Facility) is an innovative instrument of the ENP, aiming at mobilising additional funding for infrastructure projects in the Neighbourhood area. The NIF focuses on the key sectors of energy, environment and transport while also providing support to SMEs development and social sector infrastructures. NIF operations constitute a practical lever focusing on countries with ENP Action Plans agreed with the EU. On a case-by-case basis, other Neighbourhood countries may also benefit from NIF grant support for projects of cross border or regional nature to which the EU and its Neighbouring partners attach particular interest. Find out more ENPI Info Centre NIF interview: Blending loans and grants to finance investments for the Neighbourhood www.enpi-info.eu/eastportal/features/317/The-People-behind-the-Projects---Interview-with-Richard-Weber---NIF EBRD Chishinev public transport - project summary document www.ebrd.com/english/pages/project/psd/2010/39988.shtml EBRD - Modernising Chishinev transport system www.ebrd.com/english/pages/news/press/2010/100812.shtml
The ENPI Info Centre is an EU-funded Regional Information and Communication project highlighting the partnership between the EU and Neighbouring countries. The project is managed by Action Global Communications.

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