Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research

Regular passenger bus routes have been set operational in Upper Abkhazia from 20 October, News Georgia reported.

According to the same report, Malkhaz Akishbaia, Head of Government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia as well as other officials of the government in-exile were the first passengers of the bus.

"This road and this bus will finally take us to Sukhumi", Interfax quoted Akishbaia as telling the journalist on 20 October. 

It takes only three hours and a half to travel from Zugdidi to Ajara, whereas drivers needed ten hours to cover the same distance till the construction of Chuberi-Sakeni road.

Three buses will serve passengers and the cost of a ticket will be GEL 10.

Mikheil Saakashvili, President of Georgia, solemnly opened Sakeni-Chuberi road on 29 September. (News Georgia, Interfax)