ADB-CDIA to Advance Urban Mobility Initiatives in Armenia

March 29, 2025

A new project preparation study (PPS) – CDIA’s second in Armenia – will support ongoing efforts in Yerevan City to transform its urban mobility. The PPS will be undertaken as part of ADB’s Empowering Mobility through Electric Urban Solutions (EMERGE) project, which aims to develop a climate-resilient and low-emission transportation system in Armenia’s capital. 

Commuters in Yerevan rely heavily on public transport. In recent years, however, there has been a substantial increase in private car usage – partly driven by underinvestment in public transport infrastructure. Although the Yerevan Municipality (YM) has modernized some of its bus fleet, many vehicles remain outdated. Air pollution is a significant issue, with transport emissions accounting for over 90% of air pollutants in the city. 

In 2022, ADB-CDIA provided advisory and capacity-building support to YM, which resulted in key infrastructure, operational, and institutional recommendations for improving the efficiency of its public transport, including the establishment of a new integrated urban transport network. In a follow-up monitoring visit in 2024, CDIA confirmed the implementation of key recommendations.  

Building on these gains, the EMERGE project aims to advance a climate-resilient and low-emission urban transport system. In particular, it will focus on public bus service upgrades, electric bus procurement, depot modernization, metro system improvements, and the construction of critical road links. 

ADB-CDIA will support this project by conducting pre-feasibility assessments toward a comprehensive public bus transport service plan, including the conceptual design of two bus priority corridors and two depots for electric buses; traffic and parking management plans; communications and branding; and due diligence for potential ADB financing. The PPS will also include climate change assessments, integration with other transport modes, intelligent transport systems, and public engagement in planning and design. 

The PPS is currently at the advance procurement stage and is expected to kick off in the second/third quarter of 2025.