August the 26th, 2026 – Pula has received 12 electric buses worth a total of 6.8 million euros with an aim of increasing passenger comfort and being more environmentally friendly.
Pulapromet has put another six new electric buses into service, thereby completing the project of acquiring a total of 12 electric vehicles for Pula’s public transport. Index reports that the project was fully financed with funds from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, and the total value of the purchased buses amounts to 6,763,900 euros. For the project, Pulapromet had been allocated 6,994,998 euros, but after the public procurement procedure the total value was somewhat lower.
Specifically speaking, Pulapromet acquired six MAN and six Iveco electric buses. Director Tomislav Josipović said that this is an important step in modernising the vehicle fleet and raising the quality of public transport.
“By putting these new six electric buses into service today, we are completing the project through which Pulapromet has received a total of 12 new electric vehicles,” said Josipović, adding that almost 6.8 million euros of investment has been directed into the development of public transport without any financial burden on Pulapromet. The new buses should reduce emissions of harmful gases and noise while increasing energy efficiency and passenger comfort.
an increase in public transport use in pula
Pula Mayor Peđa Grbin said that the project does not stop at the acquisition of buses. He announced the installation of solar panels on the canopy at the depot (Remiza), for which the City is waiting for the opening of appropriate co-financing tenders. “The goal is for these electric buses to run on electricity that will be produced here, in Pula, from the most ecological possible source, which is solar energy,” said Grbin. He added that since the beginning of the year the use of public city transport has increased by almost 10 percent. According to him, this has also been contributed to by the City of Pula’s decisions on free transport for pupils, students and pensioners.
Istria County Prefect Boris Miletić thanked the City of Pula, Pulapromet, the surrounding municipalities and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure for implementing the project. He emphasised that electric buses, especially if powered by energy from solar sources, can contribute to reducing the impact of traffic on the environment. Miletić also said that Pulapromet first secured the infrastructure and charging stations, and then acquired the vehicles. He assessed that higher-quality public transport could further increase the number of passengers.
