Banja Luka mayor announces arrival of Chinese trackless electric trams

Banja Luka Mayor Draško Stanivuković has announced the arrival of 40 electric buses and a new type of trackless electric tram from China to modernize the city's transportation system. The mayor claims the city will be the first in Europe to implement this specific technology, which utilizes the CRRC ART platform—a 30-meter-long, three-section electric vehicle with rubber wheels and optical guidance.

However, transport experts and local officials have raised significant concerns regarding the project. Critics point out a lack of information regarding public procurement processes, funding sources, and the personnel required to operate the vehicles. Engineering experts, including Nikola Ćopić, have noted that the city's current road infrastructure may not be suitable for vehicles of this size and that infrastructure development should precede vehicle acquisition.

Additional concerns include the reliability of the technology, noting that Indonesia previously returned similar platforms due to failed autonomous functions. Experts also highlighted that the trackless trams will share lanes with standard automobiles, potentially failing to alleviate traffic congestion. The City Assembly of Banja Luka has also expressed surprise at the announcement, noting the absence of a formal tender for the procurement.