The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has funded the first project under its Green Cities Programme with a loan of €7million allocated to Novi Sad to bring about much-needed improvements in its public transport system.  It is anticipated that this will also alleviate some of the environmental issues being experienced in the city.

The new buses will reduce environmental pollution by running on CNG (compressed natural gas) and form part of an ongoing initiative to renew the existing bus fleet within the city.  The new EBRD-funded CNG buses will be on the streets in 2020 providing a much-needed improvement in reliability, quality and attractiveness of the public transport system.  The old diesel buses will be replaced in some of the busiest urban routes and it is anticipated that as a result carbon emissions will be reduced by 70%.  The new buses are also more accessible, providing wheelchair lift access and allocated sitting areas for passengers with physical disabilities.  

Novi Sad now joins Belgrade as part of the EBRD Green Cities initiative and the EBRD is also helping the city to improve energy efficiency in many public buildings.  The bank will likely increase its support for green investments in the area.
The EBRD is currently the largest institutional investor within Serbia having invested in 250 projects to-talling over €5 billion.