Varketili metro station will be closed for 45 days from July 12 - additional buses will serve passengers during the rehabilitation period. Such a statement made today the Mayor of Tbilisi.

"Taking into account the scale and technological specifics of the rehabilitation works at Varketili Underground Station - and in order to ensure passenger safety and reduce the duration of the works - the station will be temporarily closed for 45 days starting from July 12. During the rehabilitation period, the station will be closed for a certain time, and a temporary bus route No174 will be launched from the intersection of Javakheti Street and Liza Nakashidze-Bolkvadze Street. This route will transport passengers to the nearest underground station. The bus will operate in a circular loop, running between the upper exit of Samgori Underground Station and the area adjacent to Varketili Underground Station. We apologize for the inconvenience caused. Unfortunately, there is no alternative way to carry out this type of work.

Besides, with the support of Tbilisi City Hall, the central government, and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the tender announced for the procurement of modern subway cars has concluded, and a winner has been selected - the company GT Group. The agreement with the bid winning company is scheduled to be signed today. Over the next five years, GT Group LLC, in cooperation with CRRC Company- one of the world`s largest subway car manufacturers - will supply us with a total of 111 subway cars. This includes 14 four-car trainsets and 11 five-car trainsets. The new trains will feature through-type subway train cars. The `Akhmeteli Theatre – Varketili Subway Line`, which is currently served by four-car trainsets, will be upgraded to five-car trainsets. As for the above company, it is among the world`s strongest and largest companies, with a track record of delivering subway cars to cities such as Chicago, Boston, Melbourne, Mexico City, Singapore, and São Paulo, as well as countries like Portugal, Serbia, and Hungary. In the near future, the company will also deliver new subway cars to Georgia, which will replace the old, worn-out trainsets", - said Kakha Kaladze.