Geneva's Major Public Transport Donation to Tunisia

In a significant demonstration of international cooperation, Geneva's public transportation authority (TPG) has formalized an agreement to donate 200 combustion buses to Tunisia's Société des transports de Tunis (Transtu). The historic agreement was officially signed at TPG headquarters, marking a substantial contribution to Tunisia's public transport infrastructure while supporting Geneva's environmental initiatives.

This donation represents a crucial step in TPG's strategic plan to achieve full fleet electrification by 2030. By transferring its combustion buses to Tunisia, Geneva is simultaneously advancing its environmental goals while ensuring these vehicles continue to serve a useful purpose rather than face premature retirement. This approach demonstrates Switzerland's commitment to both environmental sustainability and international development assistance.

The donation comes at a critical time for Tunisia's public transport system. Transtu has faced significant challenges, with passenger numbers dropping dramatically from 335 million in 2010 to 113 million in 2023, largely due to fleet obsolescence and vehicle immobilization caused by spare parts shortages. These donated buses will help revitalize Tunisia's public transport capacity and improve service reliability for millions of citizens.

The transfer of the 200 buses will be executed over a four-year period, commencing in January. Transtu will assume responsibility for transporting the vehicles across the Mediterranean, ensuring a systematic and organized transition. This phased approach allows for proper integration of the vehicles into Tunisia's transport system while aligning with Geneva's gradual transition to electric vehicles.