The eastern Romanian city of Bacău has launched the first stage of a major public transport modernization programme, introducing 24 electric buses and 10 electric minibuses into service on Monday.
The fully electric vehicles will operate on routes across the municipality and the surrounding metropolitan area, offering passengers quieter, more comfortable transport with zero tailpipe emissions.
Mayor Lucian-Daniel Stanciu-Viziteu said the rollout marks only the beginning of a broader expansion of the city’s public transport network.
„This is just the beginning. Once the government allows us to hire the more than 90 drivers we need, we will be able to extend public transport to new routes across the city and the metropolitan area. After the first days of operation, I look forward to receiving your feedback,” the mayor said.
According to the municipality, the new buses are equipped with air conditioning, modern passenger information systems, accessibility features for people with reduced mobility, and technologies designed to reduce both noise levels and operating costs.
The deployment is part of Bacău’s public transport electrification programme financed through the European Union’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). The first phase includes the operation of 24 electric buses and 10 electric minibuses, supported by a dedicated charging infrastructure comprising 29 charging stations installed across the city.
A second phase of the project, financed under the North-East Regional Programme, will expand the fleet to a total of 48 electric buses and 10 electric minibuses, alongside the completion of the charging infrastructure.
Local authorities expect the investment to reduce carbon emissions and noise pollution while encouraging greater use of public transport as an alternative to private cars.
