The leadership of Belgrade has initiated direct contact with the Romanian Astra factory from Arad regarding the planned purchase of 100 new trams, according to information from the Center for Local Self-Government (CLS).
The estimated value of this procurement is 25 billion dinars, with the deadline for submitting bids extended to May 5. These are “short trams,” and the financing will be provided through a loan, rather than leasing as initially planned for the purchase of 300 new buses.
The CLS emphasizes the importance of conducting the tram procurement through an open and transparent public tender, rather than through direct negotiations or agreements.
“We would like to remind that in Kragujevac, Serbia, there is a globally recognized tram brand, Siemens, and Sarajevo has purchased premium-brand trams from Stadler through a loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. We advocate for Belgrade to receive trams from one of these premium brands, as this is a key procurement for the city’s public transportation and an investment that will determine the quality of public transport for decades to come. The Center for Local Self-Government will closely monitor the tender for the procurement of 100 trams and 300 new buses and will keep the public informed in a timely manner,” the CLS stated in a press release.
