The current fleet of yellow minibuses (marshrutkas) in Tbilisi will be fully replaced with new minibuses by February 1, Viktor Tsilosani, Head of Municipal Transport Department, announced on Wednesday.

Out of 1,000 minibuses, 450 operate in the capital, while 550 more will be added by February, he noted.

Tbilisi City Hall introduced a subscription-based fee system. Effective February 1, commuters will pay 1 GEL for an unlimited 90-minute journey instead of 50 tetri.

There are other options for an unlimited travel pass:

• One-day travel pass for 3 GEL
• Weekly travel pass for 20 GEL
• Monthly travel pass for 40 GEL
• Six months travel pass for 150 GEL
• Yearly travel pass for 250 GEL

Socially vulnerable people, students, pupils and teachers will continue to enjoy discounts. Blind people registered in Tbilisi, their caregivers, pupils, Tbilisi Police Department staff, Kindergarten staff, and veterans registered in Tbilisi will pay no fees for tickets.

Underground ticket offices and Bank of Georgia express service centres kicked off selling the travel passes today.

The subscription system will be linked to the bank cards in a due course, Tsilosani added.