1. OBJECTIVES OF THE INVESTMENT PROJECT

The investment project will promote resource efficiency by expanding the energy-efficient trolleybus service and partially replacing bus or minibus routes, as well as lower overall fuel consumption of public transport services. Investments will be complemented by a comprehensive reform agenda for the city's urban transport sector, including, among other things, the optimization of route networks and the transparent bidding of routes to the private sector, as well as the development of a local sector strategy. With the planned investments and technical cooperation, the company is expected to maintain its market share and its role as the backbone of the transport system, offering frequent and relatively high capacity services at affordable prices.

 2. OBJECTIVES OF THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT

 The general objective of the assignment is to facilitate the timely and efficient implementation of the Project, providing assistance to the Company and their PIU. The consultant appointed to support PIU with this function will be required to familiarize himself with the financing documents related to the investment project and other key EBRD documents, including those governing lending policies and practices. By hiring a consulting client you should gain access to international best practices in the field of project management, including procurement of works, goods and services and supervision of contract execution. The consultant is expected to facilitate the delivery of the capex components of the investment project, as well as to allow the timely reporting of the PIU to the bank in accordance with the financing documents and also to provide the necessary PIU assistance in coordinating the work of the consultants responsible. for the development of both technical assistance subprojects (Sustainable Public Transport Development Plan and Green Cities Action Plan).

1. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVESTMENT PROJECT №50503 The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (“the Bank” or “the EBRD”) granted a loan (ID №50503) in the amount of EUR 2.5 million to Î.M. "Balti Trolleybus Directorate" ("Company"), a trolleybus company wholly owned by the City of Balti ("The City"). The loan will be guaranteed by the city and co-financed by the EBRD with an investment grant of EUR 1.2 million.   The strategic objective of the company to provide sustainable and quality trolleybus services is the renewal of its aging fleet and the modernization of critical contact network infrastructure. Trolleybus services are expected to remain an essential service for lower-income residents and those eligible for concession fares. As a result of the investment project, a series of changes will be introduced such as: the purchase of new low-floor trolleybuses with autonomous course to run on new extended trolleybus network routes, the purchase of technical maintenance vehicles and the rehabilitation of network infrastructure. contact for old trolleybus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT ID 404408 / 11135/68957 For the implementation of the investment project the company needs support and consultant. Such a consultant was selected following the open international tender in accordance with the procurement policies and rules of the EBRD, and the consultancy contract №C43383 / 11135/68957 was signed on 11 November 2019 between Î.M. "Balti Trolleybus Directorate" and "Prospect LLC" ("Consultant") in the amount of EUR 486260 in the form of a grant.  The consultant performs the following main tasks: Support for the operation of the PIU. Procurement assistance, tendering and contract implementation. Assistance with compliance and reporting obligations in funding documents

The company has set up the Project Implementation Unit (PIU), which will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the investment project implementation, including technical assistance components and coordination between project stakeholders and the Bank, including the necessary reporting. The PIU is needed in the services of the experienced consultant to support PIU in its tasks and in the implementation of the investment project.

The main components of the investment project (the "Project") are the following: the purchase of new low-floor trolleybuses with autonomous course (battery charging course) to run on new extended trolleybus network routes, the purchase of technical maintenance vehicles and rehabilitation of the contact network infrastructure for the old trolleybus.

The company is expected to maintain its market share and its role as the backbone of the transport system, offering frequent and relatively high capacity services at affordable prices.

The purpose of the requested credit and grant is to procure new low-floor trolleybuses with autonomous course, purchase technical maintenance vehicles and rehabilitate the contact network infrastructure for trolleybuses.

As a result of the investment project, resource efficiency will be promoted by expanding the energy-efficient trolleybus service and partially replacing minibus routes, as well as lower overall fuel consumption of public transport services. Investments will be complemented by a comprehensive reform agenda for the city's urban transport sector, including, among other things, the optimization of route networks and the transparent bidding of routes to the private sector, as well as the development of a local sector strategy.