The European Investment Bank (EIB) has provided a €50 million ($63 million) loan to finance the Mettis project in Metz, France.
The loan amount will finance the installation of 17.5km of exclusive bus lanes on the Mettis network, the acquisition of 27 high performance 24m bi-articulated hybrid buses and construction of a new maintenance centre and three park-and-ride facilities.
EIB stated that the financing operation demonstrates its commitment to assisting France’s local and regional authorities, especially in areas such as clean urban development and transport, renewable energies and energy efficiency.
In the Lorraine region, the EIB has supported major projects such as the construction of the Robert Schuman hospital in Metz and the LGV Est high-speed rail line. Since January 2012, through the catalytic effect on its financing partners, the EIB’s support for French local and regional authorities has enabled €5.8 billion ($8 billion) worth of investment. The EIB’s overall contribution to the Mettis project will reach €80 million ($112 million) by 2013.