July 5, 2020 - Another shipment of new Promet Split buses, a total of 10 articulated Mercedes Citaro, is on its way from Germany, through Dugopolje, to the public transport garage in Kopilica. Their arrival is expected this weekend.
"In addition to these ten vehicles, eight new "solo" buses will arrive next week from the Czech factory that operates within the company "Iveco". The purchase of these 18 buses was realized through the European ITU mechanism, and it is worth around HRK 45 million, of which the non-refundable funds make up two-thirds of the investment, i.e., HRK 30 million. In the second part of July, all these vehicles will be put into service," Miroslav Delic, director of Promet, said for Slobodna Dalmacija.
In September last year, for the first time in the last ten years, Promet's fleet was significantly rejuvenated with 34 buses worth around HRK 93 million, of which part of the investment of around HRK 64 million was co-financed from European funds.
"With last year's new buses and these 18 that are coming to us, we come to the number of 52 vehicles that we will rotate on all our city and suburban lines.
Once all the buses are put into service, we will take out the same number of old vehicles that we have scrapped and are in our garage. This is another indicator of how we are working on rejuvenating the fleet. When these buses are delivered, the average age of our company's fleet will be seven years, and for comparison, last year it was 14 years," said director Delic.
But by all accounts, Promet won’t stop at this. According to the head of the public transport company, they have been working on studies for several dozen buses for months.
"There are four types of buses. We are working on it and we hope that funds will be opened at the end of July so that we can apply for a new procurement," Delic concluded.
The City of Split writes: "From Germany, a new contingent of Promet buses set off for Split - 10 articulated Citaro Mercedes. They should arrive in Split during Saturday evening or early Sunday morning, and after the procedure and registration, they will be available to the citizens of Split. Over the next few days, 8 new Iveco solo buses will arrive.
The purchase of these 18 buses was realized through the ITU mechanism, and it is worth around HRK 45 million, of which the grant is HRK 30 million.
It should be reminded that in September last year, for the first time, Promet's fleet was significantly rejuvenated with 34 buses worth around HRK 93 million, of which a part of around HRK 64 million was co-financed from EU funds.
A total of 52 new buses lowered the average age of Promet's vehicle fleet to only 4 years, and their purchase provided the citizens of Split with a more comfortable ride through the city streets.
Citizens, take care of the common property of all of us!"
The rejuvenation of the vehicle fleet should be only a part of improving the image of public transport in Split and in the vicinity of the city, because a number of other elements are missing in order for Split to reach the communal standard of Zagreb or Rijeka. More modern stations, timetables, online ticket purchases and a host of other facilities must be imperative for development and work in the sector.
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