Tbilisi Transport Company plans to launch a separate tender for the purchase of 10 tram units as construction of the city’s new tram line progresses. General Director Giorgi Sharkov said the trams will each be designed to carry at least 300 passengers.
According to Sharkov, the procurement tender will be announced after the Turkish company responsible for the design and construction prepares the technical specifications. The company is expected to complete the specifications within about eight months, after which a market study and procurement process will begin.
Sharkov said the cost of the tram units has not yet been determined and will depend on the results of the market research and technical requirements. The purchase will be conducted separately from the GEL 287 million contract for designing and constructing the tram line.
He also said a challenge filed by another Turkish bidder will not delay the project. The competing company, whose bid was GEL 45 million higher, appealed certain tender decisions, but the tender commission has already responded. Construction is being carried out by the Turkish joint venture EYE, comprising Emre Ray, Yüksel and Erk.
