Osh Electric Public Transport

The Project, referred to as Phase II, involves the modernization of electric public transport and related infrastructure in Osh City, Kyrgyz Republic. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a sovereign loan of up to EUR 9.0 million, supplemented by an investment grant of up to EUR 5.0 million from the EBRD Shareholder Special Fund (SSF). These funds will be on-lent to the Osh City Municipality for the benefit of the Osh City Municipal Autotransport Company (OGMAP), which operates trolleybuses and buses in the city. This initiative builds upon a previous project (Phase I) in 2014, which saw an investment of EUR 5.7 million loan and EUR 3.1 million grant for the purchase of trolleybuses and diesel buses, along with a limited depot upgrade.

Osh, the second-largest city in the Kyrgyz Republic, relies on public transport services provided by OGMAP and 24 private operators. The city’s transport network includes 2 trolleybus routes and 5 bus routes operated by OGMAP, alongside 48 minibus routes run by private entities. Minibuses currently account for 73% of daily passenger traffic, carrying approximately 100,860 passengers, while OGMAP carries 36,740 passengers daily, representing a 27% market share. Fares are set by the Osh City Council and vary by transport type and customer group, with discounts for e-ticketing users. However, a universal e-ticketing system is not yet in place, with only Phase I buses and trolleybuses accepting transport cards.

OGMAP, established in 2009 and wholly owned by the City, manages a fleet of 30 trolleybuses and 80 buses. Its depot, built in 1977, and a 23 km trolleybus network, built in 1973, are in poor condition and require modernization to ensure safe and reliable service. The company, which employs 170 people (including 24 females), currently operates at a loss, with the City subsidizing services for socially vulnerable populations and maintenance capital expenditures. In 2022, subsidies amounted to approximately EUR 0.47 million, covering 33% of revenues.

The Project aims to address these challenges through several key investments. These include the procurement of eighteen e-buses and charging stations (or 18 in-motion charge “IMC” trolleybuses with replacement batteries/extended warranty), the construction of a new 7 km trolleybus line, modernization of existing trolleybus line infrastructure and depot wiring (including detailed design), and the modernization of depot civil works and installation of e-bus charging stations (including detailed design). These investments are expected to integrate new city areas into the municipal transport network and reduce the environmental impact of public transport by lowering air and noise pollution.

Furthermore, the Project serves as a trigger investment under EBRD Green Cities, initiating the development of a Green City Action Plan (GCAP). Subject to the availability of grant funds, the Project could be expanded to include an additional twenty-two e-buses and charging stations (or 22 IMC trolleybuses) to enhance service frequency on existing routes, requiring an estimated additional EUR 5.7 million loan and EUR 3.3 million grant. A Project Implementation Unit (PIU) will be established by OGMAP, supported and monitored by a TC-funded Project Implementation Support (PIS) Consultant, to assist with tendering, evaluation, and implementation of project components, as well as construction supervision. The Project will adhere to EBRD’s Procurement Policies and Rules (PP\&R) and utilize the EBRD Client e-Procurement Portal (ECEPP).