End of Commitment Report – Provision of urban/public “green” transport

Name of Evaluator

Arpine Hakobyan (“NGO Center” civil society development NGO)

Email

[email protected]; [email protected]

Member Name

Gyumri, Armenia

Action PlanAction plans are at the core of a government’s participation in OGP. They are the product of a co-creation process in which government and civil society jointly develop commitments to open governmen... Title

Action plan – Gyumri, Armenia, 2021 – 2026

CommitmentOGP commitments are promises for reform co-created by governments and civil society and submitted as part of an action plan. Commitments typically include a description of the problem, concrete action...

Provision of urban/public “green” transport

Title

Provision of urban/public “green” transport

Action

Within the framework of the EU “Alliance for Sustainable Green Governance Program”, the communities of Vanadzor and Gyumri will purchase five electric buses (for each community), which will serve the inner-city routes. Charging stations will be installed, and a ticket validation system will be introduced. In addition, the idea of ​​Green Transport will be taught to the public through campaigns, training, and other programs. In order to complete the program and to adapt it to digital technologies, it is necessary to create a mobile application, which will contain both maps of the inner-city routes and roads, as well as the vehicles serving those routes and roads, information on their technical condition, drivers, and service. With the help of the application, it will be possible to see and follow where the vehicle with the given number is at the moment, and how long it will be at the stop. In addition, a vehicle information board – Tablo – will be installed at the bus stops, which will inform about the arrival of the vehicle through the countdown.

Problem

Urban transport routes, traffic frequency, and the technical condition of service vehicles do not meet modern service standards. In order to regulate the sector, it is necessary to carry out comprehensive monitoring to record the mentioned problems, to offer solutions, to hold transparent tenders with the involvement of civil society, and to install electronic information systems at bus stops.

1.1 What was the overall level of progress in the commitment implementation at the time of this assessment?

not started

Provide a brief explanation of your answer:

The commitment was intended to be implemented simultaneously in Gyumri, as both cities (Vanadzor and Gyumri) are local members of the Open Government PartnershipThe Open Government Partnership (OGP) is a multi-stakeholder initiative focused on improving government transparency, ensuring opportunities for citizen participation in public matters, and strengthen... More. However, the buses delivered to Gyumri are not yet operational, and the corresponding charging station has not been installed. As a result, the majority of the commitment has not been implemented within the planned timeframe.
Strategies of Green Transport were developed by the program for Gyumri municipality and presented to the LGBs.

Evidences:

• Focus group discussion with CSO representatives in Gyumri
• Gyumri Municipality transport receipt documents
• Council of Elders’ decision on accepting property
• Green transport strategy

Provide evidence that supports and justifies your answer:

Focus Group Gyumri Participant List5.pdf
Donation.zip
Gyumri Transportation Strategy.pdf.pdf

1.2 Describe the main external or internal factors that impacted implementation of this commitment and how they were addressed (or not).

In Gyumri, the launch of electric buses has also faced obstacles, despite the buses being delivered under the EU program. Their operation was delayed due to administrative and procedural issues. Unlike Vanadzor, Gyumri already had a functioning municipal transport operator: “Gyumri Bus” CJSC, which has been active since late 2022 and manages a fleet of approximately 89 buses. However, none of these are electric, highlighting a gap between existing institutional capacity and the implementation of specific OGP commitments.
While Gyumri had the necessary technical and managerial structures in place, the commitment’s components, such as installing charging stations and introducing electric buses, were not implemented on schedule. The delays reflect both administrative inefficiencies and limited prioritization of “green transport” policies. As a result, despite the EU program’s support and the existence of institutional capacity, the majority of the planned activities for Gyumri remain pending.

1.3 Was the commitment implemented as originally planned?

Few of the commitment milestones were implemented as planned

Provide a brief explanation of your answer:

The commitment in Gyumri included the same measures as in Vanadzor; however, implementation has lagged significantly behind. The buses procured under the EU program have not yet entered service due to administrative and technical delays. Civil society representatives note that the local government has not consistently embraced a comprehensive “green transport” policy. For example, a proposed subsidy program prioritized the purchase of buses with internal combustion engines rather than electric vehicles, signaling a limited commitment to sustainable transport solutions. As a result, most of the planned activities remain unrealized, and only a portion of the commitment has been achieved.

Evidence:

• Interview with the head of the transport department of the Gyumri municipality

Provide evidence for your answer:

Gyumri Transportation Strategy.pdf
Public Hearing Summary.pdf
Evidence Links of Public Hearing-and-more.docx

2.1.1. – Did the government disclose more information; improve the quality of the information (new or existing); improve the value of the information; improve the channels to disclose or request information or improve accessibility to information?

No

2.1.2. – Did the government create new opportunities to seek feedback from citizens/enable participation inform or influence decisions; improve existing channels or spaces to seek feedback from citizens/enable participation/ inform or influence decisions; create or improve capabilities in the government or the public aimed to improve how the government seeks feedback from citizens/enables participation/ or allows for the public to inform or influence decisions?

No

2.1.3 Did the government create or improve channels, opportunities or capabilities to hold officials answerable to their actions?

No

Explanation: In narrative form, what has been the impact on people or practice.

The commitment did not provide new mechanisms for accountability of officials.

2.1.4 Other Results

No

2.2 Did the commitment address the public policy problem that it intended to address as described in the action plan?

No

Provide a brief explanation of your answer:

Civil society representatives emphasize that the challenge extended beyond the operation of five electric buses; the full implementation of a comprehensive “green transport” policy was required. However, the local government’s subsidy program was designed not for the procurement of electric buses, but for conventional Gazelles. This indicates that the strategic framework for environmentally friendly transport developed by experts under the EU-funded project and intended for implementation by the Vanadzor local government has not been fully adopted or institutionalized as a guiding policy by the authorities in either Vanadzor or Gyumri.

3. Provide at least one lesson or reflection relating to the implementation of this commitment. It can be the identification of key barriers to implementation, an unexpected help/hindrance, recommendations for future commitments, or if the commitment should be taken forward to the next action plan.

The concept of urban green transport in Gyumri has received strong support from local residents. However, the buses procured under the program have not yet entered service. Civil society representatives note that the delays are attributable not only to technical challenges but also to political factors, including the suspension of activities following electoral processes.

Key observations:

• The lack of operational buses highlights the absence of a clear and comprehensive “green transport” policy.
• A comprehensive strategy should be formally adopted by local government and integrated into subsidy programs, ensuring not only the introduction of electric buses but also the development of a fully functional, sustainable system.

Recommendations:

• Ensure the timely launch of electric buses and integrate them into the municipal transport system.
• Adopt a comprehensive green transport policy that prioritizes sustainability over short-term fixes.
• Develop targeted awareness programs for pensioners and other vulnerable groups.
• Establish a monitoring mechanism with civil society participation to strengthen transparencyAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, transparency occurs when “government-held information (including on activities and decisions) is open, comprehensive, timely, freely available to the pub... More and accountability.