Especially considering its geographic characteristic - Tbilisi is considerably long, which undoubtedly would simplify the coverage of most parts of the city by the underground.
[8] Tbilisi was one of the few cities in the former USSR where work on the Metro system started before the population reached one million people.
A population of over a million people was one of the main requirements for Soviet cities to build a metro system.
During the 1990s, most of the Soviet-era station names were changed, although financial difficulties after the breakup of the Soviet Union hit the Metro particularly hard in its infrastructure, operations, and extensions.
[9] Until recently, the Metro had been underfunded and operated in severe difficulties due to poor electrical supply.
On 14 February 2000, a teenager threw a homemade hand grenade into a metro station, injuring several people.
The Tbilisi Metro system is undergoing a major rehabilitation effort, including the reconstruction of the stations as well as the modernization of trains and other facilities.
[10] In subsequent years, however, the upgrade process slowed significantly, and as of July 2010, the Tbilisi Metro was still far from its target standard.
But it was only restarted in July 2015 with financial help from the Asian Development Bank and the station was finally opened to the public on 16 October 2017.
Additionally, the higher-speed operation of the trains with the rolling stock's non-asynchronous motors, combined with the confined space of the underground tunnels, amplifies the noise and creates a discomforting environment for passengers.
Prolonged exposure to loud noise can lead to various health issues, including hearing loss, stress, and sleep disturbances.
[16] Furthermore, the noise problem creates an unpleasant travel experience and reduces the overall quality of the metro system.
These modern trains are designed to minimize noise emissions and provide a quieter and more comfortable journey for passengers.
[17] The government of Tbilisi, through partial funding from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, spent more than 48 million Euros on purchasing 44, new, modern metro cars or 10 train sets in February 2023 from Metrowagonmash, bringing the system's outdated rolling stock up to date.
[citation needed] The former comprises 6 pylon stations, 5 columns and 6 single vaults (built to the Leningrad Technology).
Carrying them are a fleet of 170 Soviet-built rail cars, consisting of the 81–717/714 and Еzh3 models, which have been modernised since 2000 (using the Czech blueprint of the 81-71M) and operate from two depots.
As of 2018, due to the State University (Tbilisi Metro) extension, a new digital signaling system was installed by Siemens, controlling 2.6 km (1.6 mi) of track and three interlockings,[24] from Delisi to State University (Tbilisi Metro), which is the only segment in the network containing signaling systems from the post-Soviet era.
The new metro line was planned to use Light Rail Vehicles running at 10 minute intervals for both directions.
The mayor Kakha Kaladze added, that the line is planned to be extended to Rustavi, a major city 30 km (19 mi) away from the capital.
In October 2022, EBRD worked with the Tbilisi Mayor's Office to start and fund a project to renovate the above ground infrastructure of 11 Metro stations, adapting them to be wheelchair accessible.