Public transport in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan is set for a major upgrade as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) finances the purchase of 95 new compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, boosting comfort, accessibility and environmental standards across the city.

The delivery marks the second phase of the Bank’s bus acquisition program in the Kyrgyz Republic. In total, 219 modern CNG buses will be procured under a €33 million EBRD financing package, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

Safer, Faster and More Accessible

The new 12-meter low-entry buses are designed to improve daily mobility for thousands of residents. With spacious interiors, three double-wing doors and capacity for up to 90 passengers, the fleet is expected to reduce waiting times and speed up boarding.

Each vehicle will feature:

LED passenger information displays

Audio announcements

Wi-Fi and USB charging ports

Enhanced video surveillance

Dedicated wheelchair spaces with securing straps

Handrails and a manual ramp for inclusive access

City officials say the modernization will make public transport safer, more reliable and more comfortable - especially for people with disabilities and families with children.

Part of a Green Cities Strategy

The project is closely tied to Bishkek’s action plan under the EBRD’s Green Cities initiative. The plan, supported by €950,000 in grant funding from Japan, aims to strengthen the city’s environmental agenda and improve the institutional capacity of its municipal transport operator.

The EBRD has been active in Kyrgyzstan since 1992, investing more than $1.3 billion across 281 projects, with a strong focus on sustainable infrastructure and private-sector development.

The Bank is also supporting the development of electric public transport in Tajikistan, signaling a broader regional push toward greener urban mobility solutions.