On the 1st of March 2019, the cities of Jimbolia and Mórahalom – Hungary, through Móra-Tourist Non-profit Limited Liability Company, started on a new path: the implementation of the project "Green Transport – Development of Sustainable Mobility in the Twin Towns Jimbolia and Mórahalom", acronym E-Transport, financed under the Interreg V-A Romania-Hungary Programme, the series of events being opened in Mórahalom – Hungary, which hosted the project launch conference on the 27th of June 2019. The project paves the way for a new area of cooperation between the two twin cities, Jimbolia and Mórahalom, namely public transport.
The main objectives of the project are the creation of an environmentally friendly public transport system, the development of local public transport in Jimbolia and Mórahalom and the strengthening of links between communities located on both sides of the Romanian-Hungarian border.
The project therefore aims to develop a local public transport network in both Jimbolia and Mórahalom, which can be connected to the cross-border public transport service.
As part of the project, Jimbolia will purchase minibuses needed to set up the transport system, build a parking lot equipped with a charging station for electric vehicles, set up a "digital tree" with Wi-Fi connection, and Mórahalom has purchased a small electric minibus and will build two charging stations with parking.
The pilot project seeks to present a viable alternative to existing local transport, to introduce new possibilities for reducing carbon emissions. It also aims to raise public awareness in the segment of alternative, non-polluting transport systems.
The project budget amounts to EUR 779,715.90 and is divided as follows: Jimbolia has a budget of EUR 535,710.90, and Mórahalom has a budget of EUR 244,005.00.
On 21.05.2020 the contract was signed for the supply of electric minibuses with SC KOMMUNALTHE SRL. Thus, the city of Jimbolia will purchase two electric minibuses: one with 19+1 seats and one with 14+1+1 seats. After obtaining the necessary permits, Jimbolia will launch the free public transport system in Jimbolia. The electric minibuses will run on a predetermined route and according to a set timetable. The timetable and route will be heavily publicized in the local press and on the city's websites and Facebook. The minibuses will run at least 5 days/ week, between 07 - 17. After a trial period and on the basis of the results of the public consultation, the operating schedule could be modified.
In addition to local routes, trips will be organized to the project partner in Mórahalom - Hungary, at least once a month. During the project, 12 trips to Mórahalom will be organized, which have a test role and will be used for public awareness, but also to ensure the visibility of the project. The trips will be organized for various groups (children, young people, representatives of various institutions, etc.). The leading project partner - Jimbolia will pay special attention to disadvantaged groups and encourage them to travel to Mórahalom.
On 27.05.2020, the site was handed over in order to begin the work: "BUILDING OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION IN JIMBOLIA CITY AND PLACEMENT OF WIFI SOLAR TREE". The works will be executed by the company SC TUBULAR TEHNO SISTEM SRL.
Through these actions the city of Jimbolia is among the localities that promote green energy intensively and will organize in December a conference with the participation of professionals who will present new ways in the field of green energy. In addition, Jimbolia is taking another major step towards raising the living standards of its inhabitants by providing free public transport for the next five years after the implementation of the project.
Those interested can obtain information on the implementation stage of the project by visiting the website www.jimbolia.ro, page which contains the GREEN TRANSPORT button, or by accessing the following link: https://greentransport.net/index.php/en/
The Interreg V-A Romania-Hungary program is intended to finance joint Romanian-Hungarian projects, which address needs identified on both sides of the border and require a common approach, as well as innovative solutions, thus contributing to the sustainable development of the eligible area. The program is a continuation of the cross-border cooperation programs implemented in the region and has a total budget of approximately EUR 232 million, of which EUR 189 million is non-reimbursable funding from the European Regional Development Fund. The eligible area of the program includes the counties of Arad, Bihor, Satu Mare and Timiș on the Romanian side of the border and, respectively, the counties of Békés, Csongrád-Csanád, Hajdú-Bihar and Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg, on its Hungarian side.

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