According to the Bank’s website, the project will finance the purchase of 145 electric buses and related infrastructure, such as charging stations, firefighting installations, power supply, IT systems and new additional parking spaces in the existing depots.

By supporting the electrification of the bus fleet, the aim is not only to improve the reliability and availability of public transport but also to potentially reduce the use of private cars and associated externalities (noise, pollution and CO2 emissions). As such, the project will generate positive socio-economic and environmental benefits.

The manufacturing of electric buses, software, and IT systems for e-buses operations as well as charging infrastructure do not fall within the scope of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive 2011/92/EC (amended by Directive 2014/52/EU).

Therefore, no EIA will be required for these components. Similarly, no EIA is required for the interventions in the existing depots or in the bus stops, as they are mainly refurbishing works or minor works to install the charging points for the electric buses or create new parking spaces for the buses. The new buses will allow the replacement of existing buses reaching the end of service life. No negative impact is expected from this component.

The interventions concerning charging infrastructure are expected to be limited and inside the footprint of the existing infrastructures, thus with minor and temporary environmental impacts.

No contacts available at the time of disclosure.

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

You can submit an information request for project information at: https://www.eib.org/en/infocentre/registers/request-form/request-form-default.htm

ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF EIB

The EIB Complaints Mechanism is designed to facilitate and handle complaints against the EIB by individuals, organizations or corporations affected by EIB activities. When exercising the right to lodge a complaint against the EIB, any member of the public has access to a two-tier procedure, one internal - the Complaints Mechanism Office - and one external - the European Ombudsman. A complaint can be lodged via a written communication addressed to the Secretary General of the EIB, via email to the dedicated email address: complaints@eib.org, by completing the online complaint form available at the following address: http://www.eib.org/complaints/form via fax or delivered directly to the EIB Complaints Mechanism Division, any EIB local representation office or any EIB staff. For further details, check: http://www.eib.org/attachments/strategies/complaints_mechanism_policy_en.pdf

When dissatisfied with a complaint to the EIB Complaints Mechanism, citizens can then turn towards the European Ombudsman. A memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the EIB and the European Ombudsman establishes that citizens (even outside of the EU if the Ombudsman finds their complaint justified) can turn towards the Ombudsman on issues related to 'maladministration' by the EIB. Note that before going to the Ombudsman, an attempt must be made to resolve the case by contacting the EIB. In addition, the complaint must be made within two years of the date when the facts on which your complaint is based became known to you. You can write to the Ombudsman in any of the languages of the European Union. Additional details, including filing requirements and complaint forms, are available at: http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/atyourservice/interactiveguide.faces