Skopje, 25 November 2024 (MIA) - Urban transport is one of the main factors for air pollution, which is why six electric buses will be donated to the City of Skopje, i.e., the Public Transport Enterprise (JSP) on Tuesday, while we’re also nearing a decision for the Government to procure 100-120 electric buses that will then be donated to the municipalities, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Environment and Physical Planning Izet Mexhiti told journalists on Monday.

Mexhiti said air pollution is not a new issue.

“Firstly, nature caused Skopje and other cities to be at the top of the pollution lists recently. Secondly, this isn’t from today, it is an older issue. It is good that the period during which we have high air pollution is getting shorter. Thirdly, I much prefer that we focus on the reasons than the consequences,” Mexhiti said. 

The Minister pointed to the heating of homes and urban transport as the mean reasons for the high pollution.

“The main factor is that individual and collective housing is being heated using all sorts of things, which isn’t the fault of households. In this context, we are considering restoring the project for gas infrastructure and pushing it to completion. This would be the first thing to contribute to a drop in pollution, the second thing would be to provide subsidies and for people to return to central heating, since it is even cleaner than gas,” Mexhiti said. 

Photo: MIA Archive