The project aims to modernize the city’s urban mobility by replacing diesel buses with electric vehicles, building modern stations and charging infrastructure, and implementing an intelligent fleet management system.

The first phase of the project, conceived as a pilot, foresees the deployment of 7 electric buses on two lines.

Likewise, there is also foreseen construction of 19 bus stops, as well as the installation of charging infrastructure and intelligent transport systems.

This project is part of Berat’s 2030 public transport plan. The goal is to cover 95% of the city’s population using 6 new lines, 18 electric buses, and 65 bus stops. The current tender has a 9-month completion deadline. Bids are open until September 25, 2026. /e.xh/j.p/r.e/p.s./

Head of the Albanian Railways Ergys Verdho said that, “Given the good progress of the works during the current year, where 80% of the works on the new track of the Tirana-Rinas railway line have been completed, the expectations are that in 2026 we will have the first modern railway line in our country in operation”.

Speaking to reporters, Verdho said that, “In January, we will start work on the construction of railway stations and their electrification; these works will be completed within the year”.

The head of the railways explained that the Tirana-Durrës-Rinas project has been accompanied by delays.

“Foreign-funded initiatives, like in this case, have their own bureaucracies. Tirana-Durrës-Rinas railway line was launched in 2015 and it was conceived that the train would operate on diesel. In 2019, there was taken another decision, to review the project, as the entire line would be electrified. Hence, the project was done from scratch. The other component was that of the station buildings. This component was closely linked to the first contract, which required a review to make the connection with the station operating rooms. Then the effects of the pandemic paralyzed everything and stopped financing. After the pandemic, the price crisis had its impact on the increase in prices for all products. These are the reasons why today we are still talking about building this railway line,” said Verdho.

He emphasized that train transport is one of the most convenient modes of transport in terms of costs, safety, and environmental protection. /r.e/p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama conveyed today in the social media photos of the construction site, emphasizing the important impact of this project in the field of transport in the country.

“The work continues at a good pace on the construction site of Tirana-Rinas-Durrës railway line. It will be an all-electric line, with a significant impact on the field of transport in the country. Thanks to the modern machines with which it is being worked, this project is getting a boost in the general progress of works for the Albanian line”, said Rama.

The Tirana-Durres railway, an important national project, which will not only improve the connection between the capital, the coastal city and the airport, but also contribute to the reduction of pollution and development of sustainable transport, is expected to be completed by March of next year.

According to the project of this railway line, Tirana-Durrës travel time will be 22 minutes and Tirana-Rinas only 12 minutes.

The line will have 11 stations, which will start from Durres, to continue to Shkozet-Sukth-Vorë-Kashar. These existing lines need reconstruction.

Then, the railway axis will continue to Laknas, Tirana Airport and Tirana Public Transport Terminal.

Tirana-Durres train will be electric, while the speed of movement will be 100 km/h. The railway is 39 km long and its financing is supported by the EBRD through a loan worth 70 million euros. /r.e/a.f/p.s./

General Director of the Road Transport Service Ilir Mëngra stated that there has been an increase of the sustainability and green mobility which is becoming the choice of hundreds of Albanians for a healthy way of life.

According to him, 41.7% of all first-time registrations are vehicles with 0 km and are electric/hybrid pug-in, which according to calculations have released 4,383,720 kg of CO2/Year less into the environment./p.s./

In the press release, the Directorate said that in the January-October period, there were registered for the first time 571 vehicles 100% electric.

Meanwhile, during January-October 2022 there are 17,009 cars registered for the first time with the Euro5 environmental category.

As an incentive for the increase of the green fleet, the government issued a normative act to reimburse any registration fee for the first time for electric & plug-in vehicles.

According to this legal act, the physical control fee of 1,500 ALL, the national circulation permit of 2,100 ALL and the license plates of 3,000 ALL have been canceled.

A total fee of 5600 ALL (before June 2022 it was 7500 ALL) for each GREEN vehicle is covered by Directorate.

Also, green vehicles were exempted from VAT payment.

The Directorate said that these initiatives are rendered into concrete savings figures for citizens or entities that imported and registered green vehicles from October 2019 to October 2022. From registration with zero fees and from the removal of VAT, 711 million ALL have been saved. /j.p/p.s./