"Skopje" Public Transportation Enterprise (PTE) promoted Tuesday new 68 double decker buses manufactured in China, one of which is roofless, and 39 Ukrainian low-floor buses. So far, the enterprise has acquired 140 buses, thus revitalizing 50% of its fleet.
The government of Macedonia has set aside funds to procure the buses assembled in China and Ukraine.
"By promoting the buses today, we are in fact kicking off the celebration marking Macedonia's 20th independence anniversary, which will resume with the opening of the renovated Alexander the Great airport," Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said promoting the buses.
He added that the double decker buses, which were subjected to great debates on their safety, would become Skopje's main tourist attraction.
"What we are seeing now is the new face of Skopje's city transportation, we have before us new buses out of which 39 are low-floor buses, 67 double deckers and one roofless double decker bus. PTE's fleet in the next couple of years is expected to be fully renewed with the procurement of other buses," the PM stated.
Skopje, he stressed, only a year ago had the oldest fleet compared to other major cities, but now that is left behind in history.
Skopje will bring back its old flair with 1960s style buses manufactured in line with state-of-the-art technology.
"Citizens have deserved the new buses. It's a pity that no one enabled this in the past 20 years," Gruevski noted.
Minister of Transport and Communications Mile Janakieski said transportation was one of the most vital sectors requiring constant advancement.
"Determined to help in revitalising the city transportation, we have decided to procure new buses for the public transportation enterprise. As of today, transportation for Skopje citizens is more comfortable," he stated.
The buses are manufactured in compliance with world's leading technologies, with exterior and interior information tables, air-conditioners, low-cut entries for disabled persons as well as eco-friendly engines.
Skopje mayor Koce Trajanovski said the procurement of new buses was fulfilling his promise made back in 2009 that the citizens of Skopje would use public transportation "not because they have to, but because they want to."
"The bus procurement project financed by the government is closing one of the most serious problems the city of Skopje was facing - public city transportation," the mayor stated.
