The first seven of the 18 buses purchased with EU funds have arrived in Dubrovnik, they will be used on suburban routes

Seven city-suburban semi-low-floor buses of the IVECO brand, financed through European Union funds, were presented today at the headquarters of Libertas Dubrovnik d.o.o. in Komolac. The vehicles are 12 meters long, with a capacity of 76 seats, of which 44 are seats. They are equipped with E6 engines that meet modern environmental standards, and the value of their purchase is HRK 10,570,840.00 (plus VAT).

The vehicles were presented by the supplier's representative, Autobus d.o.o., Robert Vrhovski and Libertas director Franko Mekišić. The Mayor of the City of Dubrovnik, Mato Franković, took part in the presentation, and the President of the Supervisory Board of the Company and the President of the City Council, Marko Potrebica, as well as representatives of the municipalities of the co-owners, since the acquired buses will be distributed precisely on suburban lines, including those for Molunat, Brsečine, Slano and Ston.

It is part of a total of 18 new buses that Libertas Dubrovnik d.o.o. and the City of Dubrovnik procure through structural funds of the European Union through the Operational Program "Competitiveness and Cohesion" and with co-financing of 85 percent. As a reminder, contracts for the purchase of buses worth almost HRK 31 million were signed on November 22, 2021 in the Great Hall, and as part of this project, six more city low-floor, three midi suburban and two articulated city low-floor buses will be purchased.

 "At the beginning of the first mandate, I said that the goal of this city administration in the segment of public city transport is to procure the majority of buses using available funds from European Union funds or other non-budgetary sources. Previously, 11 buses were purchased with EU funds, and the rest of the total of 18 new vehicles will also arrive soon. In total, 35 new vehicles were acquired in these five years, which significantly increased the driving standard in public city transport," said Mayor Mato Franković. He added that the intention of the City and Libertas through the ITU mechanism is to acquire primarily electric vehicles that will be intended for certain lines, such as the one for the Great Wall of China.

The mayor also said that despite the enormous increase in energy prices, especially fuel, the price of Libertas demonstration tickets remained unchanged.

The new acquisition will significantly reduce the age of the city's public transport fleet, and the benefits of the new, modern vehicles will be directly felt by users of Libertas services, citizens and visitors.