After years of stalling, Skopje's project for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) has finally been unblocked and is entering the implementation phase. Mayor Orce Gjorgjievski announced that the final coordination with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is complete.

The project, worth 70 million euros from an EBRD loan, envisions two lines - one east-west and one north-south across the city. The buses will be low-floor vehicles running on compressed gas or hybrids, with smart stations, passenger information systems and integration with traffic management.

Gjorgjievski claims the project stood blocked before his administration for years and has now been „unblocked“ through coordination with the government, the ministries of transport and finance and the EBRD. He also stressed that the existing greenery will not be sacrificed - on the contrary, additional green spaces are planned.

It sounds promising, but the people of Skopje have every right to be cautious. The BRT isn't a new idea - it's been talked about for years, and every administration came with its own promises. The question isn't whether the project „is entering the implementation phase“ (we've heard that before), but when the first rapid bus will actually set off in a dedicated lane through Skopje's traffic.

If it's carried out as promised - modern, fast and eco-friendly transport by European standards - it would be a real relief for a city drowning in traffic and polluted air. Until then, the wisest thing is to measure the promises by the asphalt, not the press release.