The completion of Tbilisi's new GEL 60.5 million depot for 18-meter buses has been postponed for the sixth time, with the new deadline set for November 20, 2026. Located near Tbilisi International Airport, the facility is designed to serve 200 articulated buses.
Construction began under a contract signed with Construction Service in June 2023 and was originally scheduled for completion in March 2025. However, repeated delays have pushed the deadline back several times. According to the National State Procurement Agency, a number of infrastructure works remain unfinished, despite GEL 54.6 million, or about 90% of the contract value, already having been paid.
The delay also affects the operation of Tbilisi's fleet of articulated buses. Although the city has already purchased 200 buses, not all are currently in service because the existing depot in Didi Digomi lacks sufficient capacity. The municipality has spent GEL 326 million on the buses alone, while the depot adds another GEL 60.5 million. Including long-term maintenance contracts, the total cost of the articulated bus program exceeds GEL 500 million.
