18 March 2019 - The introduction of electric buses in Podgorica would potentially solve the problem of public transport, which currently does not satisfy the needs of citizens, and the Capital is already considering this solution, said Lazarela Kalezić, Secretary of Traffic, during an interview for the News Agency Dan.
"The climate in Podgorica would not allow us only to use electric buses, so it would be good to think about the option of combined buses. Cities with a similar climate have mostly made a combination of electric and gas buses or other alternative fuels," said Kalezić.
During an official assembly held in December 2018, the Mayor of Podgorica Ivan Vuković, and representatives of the diplomatic corps and foreign businesspeople in Montenegro discussed the planned capital projects and investment potentials of the Capital City. On that occasion, the possibility of the use of electric buses in Podgorica was first introduced. Stating that one of the biggest challenges in Podgorica is solving the problems of public transport, the Mayor said that in that field, the Capital would look up to the solutions already implemented by Belgrade, which has introduced 84 electric buses in 2018.
Secretary Kalezić noted that the current public transport in Podgorica causes many problems, such as air pollution, and stated that buses in the Capital are mostly old and not comfortable for passengers.
"In Podgorica, we currently have 109 buses covering 29 lines. The profitability of public transportation everywhere in the world is questionable. We are considering introducing electric buses, which would lead to a reduction in the use of conventional fuel, which is expensive. We are also thinking about increasing the role of the local government when it comes to transportation issues, "said Kalezić.
Switching to use electric buses should significantly improve the quality of air and reduce morbidity and mortality due to air pollution. The electric bus has numerous advantages over gas buses, such as lower cost of maintenance, lower energy losses, reduction of environmental noise etc.
The advantages of the electric bus, and especially its contribution to the quality of life, justify the efforts and costs required in the initial stages of implementation, and the citizens of Podgorica eagerly await the new form of public transportation.
