Editing Tirana (section)

=== Transport ===
[[File:Terminal jashte.jpg|thumb|The terminal of [[Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza|Nënë Tereza International Airport]]]]

==== Air ====

Tirana is served by [[Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza|Nënë Tereza International Airport]], which is simultaneously the premier air gateway to the country. The airport was officially named in honour of the Albanian Roman Catholic nun and missionary, Mother Teresa. It connects Tirana with many destinations in different countries across Europe, Africa, and Asia. The airport carried more than 3.3 million passengers in 2019 and is also the principal [[Airline hub|hub]] for the country's [[flag carrier]], [[Air Albania]].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Institute of Statistics (Albania)|Instituti i Statistikës]] (INSTAT) |title=Statistikat e transportit |url=http://www.instat.gov.al/media/6649/statistikat-e-transportit_dhjetor_2019.pdf |access-date=13 June 2020 |page=2 |language=sq |date=27 January 2019 |archive-date=9 October 2022 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.instat.gov.al/media/6649/statistikat-e-transportit_dhjetor_2019.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Road ====
[[File:Autobahn-Alb.jpg|thumb|The [[SH 2 (Albania)|Rruga Shtetërore 2]] (SH2) connecting Tirana with [[Durrës]]]]

The city's geographical location in the centre of Albania has long established the city as an integral terminus for the [[Roads in Albania|national road transportation]], thus connecting the city to all parts of Albania and the neighbouring countries.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Bashkia Tiranë |title=Strategjija e Zhvillimit të Qendrueshëm të Bashkisë Tiranë 2018-2022 |url=https://tirana.al/uploads/2019/3/20190304142936_szhqbt-2018-2022-30-e-miratuar-per-web-finale.pdf |access-date=13 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613221311/https://tirana.al/uploads/2019/3/20190304142936_szhqbt-2018-2022-30-e-miratuar-per-web-finale.pdf |archive-date=13 June 2020 |pages=18, 23 |language=sq}}</ref> The [[SH 1 (Albania)|Rruga Shtetërore 1]] (SH1) connects Tirana with [[Shkodër]] and [[Montenegro]] in the north, and constitutes an essential section of the proposed [[Adriatic–Ionian motorway]].
The [[SH 2 (Albania)|Rruga Shtetërore 2]] (SH2) continues in the west and provides direct connection to Durrës on the Adriatic Sea. The Rruga Shtetërore 3 (SH3) is being transformed to the [[A3 (Albania)|Autostrada 3]] (A3) and follows the ancient [[Via Egnatia]]. It significantly constitutes a major section of the [[Pan-European Corridor VIII]] and links the city with [[Elbasan]], Korçë and Greece in the south. Tirana is further connected, through the Milot interchange in the northwest, with [[Kosovo]] following as part of the [[A1 motorway (Albania)|Autostrada 1]] (A1).

During the [[Communism in Albania|communist regime in Albania]], a plan for the construction of a [[ring road]] around Tirana arose in 1989 with no implementation until the 2010s.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries]] (China-CEE) |title=Albania economy briefing: Tirana's Outer Ring Road and the controversial case of 2.1 km segment |url=https://china-cee.eu/2019/03/06/albania-economy-briefing-tiranas-outer-ring-road-and-the-controversial-case-of-2-1-km-segment/ |access-date=13 June 2020 |date=6 March 2019 |archive-date=13 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613230127/https://china-cee.eu/2019/03/06/albania-economy-briefing-tiranas-outer-ring-road-and-the-controversial-case-of-2-1-km-segment/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It is of major importance, especially concerning the demographic growth of the [[metropolitan region]] of Tirana as well as the importance of the economy. Although, constructions for the nowadays completed southern section of the ring road started in 2011, however, the northern and eastern sections are still in the planning process.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[TV Klan]] |title=Unaza e Madhe e Tiranës hapet në shtator |url=https://tvklan.al/unaza-e-madhe-e-tiranes-hapet-ne-shtator/ |access-date=13 June 2020 |language=sq |date=14 August 2017 |archive-date=13 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613230126/https://tvklan.al/unaza-e-madhe-e-tiranes-hapet-ne-shtator/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Rail ====

Rail lines of [[Hekurudha Shqiptare]] (HSH) connected Tirana with all of the major cities of Albania, including Durrës, Shkodër and Vlorë. In 2013, the [[Tirana Railway Station]] was closed and moved to Kashar by the city government in order to create space for the New Boulevard ({{langx|sq|Bulevardi i Ri}}) project.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Gazeta Shqip]] |title=Lamtumira e trenit në kryeqytet, stacioni tashmë zhvendoset në Vorë |url=https://www.gazeta-shqip.com/2013/09/01/lamtumira-e-trenit-ne-kryeqytet-stacioni-tashme-zhvendoset-ne-vore/ |access-date=14 June 2020 |language=sq |date=1 September 2013 |archive-date=14 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614155956/https://www.gazeta-shqip.com/2013/09/01/lamtumira-e-trenit-ne-kryeqytet-stacioni-tashme-zhvendoset-ne-vore/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> The new Tirana Station will be constructed in [[Laprakë]], which is projected to be a multifunctional terminal for rail, tram and bus transportation.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Italferr |title=New Public Transport Terminal of Tirana |url=http://www.italferr.it/content/italferr/en/Expertise/attivita/design-e-architettura/stazioni/nuovo-terminal-del-trasporto-pubblico-di-tirana.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208131650/http://www.italferr.it/content/italferr/en/Expertise/attivita/design-e-architettura/stazioni/nuovo-terminal-del-trasporto-pubblico-di-tirana.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 December 2019 |access-date=14 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Koha Ditore|Koha]] |title=Tirana me stacion modern multimodal |url=https://www.koha.net/arberi/90808/tirana-me-stacion-modern-multimodal/ |access-date=14 June 2020 |language=sq |date=2 May 2018 |archive-date=14 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614140007/https://www.koha.net/arberi/90808/tirana-me-stacion-modern-multimodal/ |url-status=live }}</ref> City officials have also talked about a light rail extension all the way to the location of the former rail station.<ref name="Linja e re hekurudhore">{{Cite web |url=https://ata.gov.al/2023/04/27/veliaj-linja-e-re-hekurudhore-tirane-rinas-durres-perfundon-ne-vitin-2024/ |title=Veliaj: Linja e re hekurudhore Tiranë-Rinas-Durrës përfundon në vitin 2024 |language=sq |website=Albanian Telegraph Agency |access-date=2023-09-16 |author=Arlinda Gjonaj |archive-date=12 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512232827/https://ata.gov.al/2023/04/27/veliaj-linja-e-re-hekurudhore-tirane-rinas-durres-perfundon-ne-vitin-2024/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The new rail line from Tirana through Nënë Tereza International Airport to Durrës has started construction.<ref name="Linja e re hekurudhore" />

In 2012, the Tirana municipality published a report according to which a project on the construction of two tram lines was under evaluation. The tram lines would have a total length of {{convert|16.7|km|abbr=off}}. The plan was never implemented. Under the plan, the two tram lines would have intersected in Skanderbeg Square. The public transport in Tirana is, for now, focused only in the city centre, so that the people living in the suburbs have fewer or no public transport connections.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

==== Bus ====

Tirana's bus network is its primary and only system of public transport. The system has 16 lines serving the urban core, with another 14 suburban lines serving its outer regions. The urban network is made up of 8 radial lines, 5 diagonal lines, and 3 circular or semi-circular lines.<ref name="Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan">{{Cite web |url=https://tirana.al/en/uploads/2020/12/20201210161510_sump_tirana-volume-i_status_analysis_200724.pdf |title=Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan for the City of TIRANA |website=Bashkia Tiranë |access-date=2023-09-16 |ref=none |archive-date=29 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029130144/https://tirana.al/en/uploads/2020/12/20201210161510_sump_tirana-volume-i_status_analysis_200724.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

Busses often get stuck in traffic. There were only {{convert|7|km|abbr=off}} of dedicated bus lines in 2020.<ref name="Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan" />

There were 451 bus stops on the entire urban network in 2020, extending to over {{convert|170|km|abbr=off}}. Services operate every day, regardless of holidays and weekends, from 06:00 to 24:00. The entire network had an average [[headway]] of 9 minutes on a daily basis in 2018 and in the first half of 2019.<ref name="Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan" />

Nearly 257,000 residents lived within a {{cvt|150|m}} walking area from a bus stop when surveyed in Tirana’s strategic transport study in 2019. That was approximately 35% of the population living inside the Municipal unit of Tirana.<ref name="Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan" />

A single-ride ticket costs 40 Lek, and no hourly or daily options are available. Disabled people and veterans may ride for free. An electronic ticketing system is under implementation.<ref name="Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan" />
[[File:Tirana_Bikes.jpg|thumb|An [[Ecovolis]] station near [[Mother Teresa Square (Tirana)|Mother Teresa Square]]]]

==== Cycling ====

During the administration of mayor Erion Veliaj, the government of Tirana has significantly increased the creation and expansion of a [[cycling infrastructure]] in the city in order to reduce [[traffic congestion]] as well as to improve the [[sustainable transport]]ation.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Administrata.al |title=Pas rikonfirmimit për mandatin e dytë, Veliaj ftohet nga BERZH për vijimin e investimeve në Tiranë |url=https://administrata.al/Pages/News/Local%20Institution/Pas-rikonfirmimit-p%C3%ABr-mandatin-e-dyt%C3%AB,-Veliaj-ftohet-nga-BERZH-p%C3%ABr-vijimin-e-investimeve-n%C3%AB-Tiran%C3%AB.aspx |access-date=14 June 2020 |language=sq |archive-date=14 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614151350/https://administrata.al/Pages/News/Local%20Institution/Pas-rikonfirmimit-p%C3%ABr-mandatin-e-dyt%C3%AB,-Veliaj-ftohet-nga-BERZH-p%C3%ABr-vijimin-e-investimeve-n%C3%AB-Tiran%C3%AB.aspx |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Burgen |first1=Stephen |work=[[The Guardian]] |title=Build it and they will come: Tirana's plan for a 'kaleidoscope metropolis |url=https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/oct/29/tirana-2030-albania-capital-plan-erion-veliaj |access-date=14 June 2020 |location=Tirana |date=29 October 2018 |archive-date=20 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120113513/https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/oct/29/tirana-2030-albania-capital-plan-erion-veliaj |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[TRT Türk|TRT]] |title=Tirana është kthyer në qytetin me më shumë korsi biçikletash në Shqipëri |url=https://www.trt.net.tr/shqip/jeta-dhe-shendeti/2018/07/14/tirana-eshte-kthyer-ne-qytetin-me-me-shume-korsi-bicikletash-ne-shqiperi-1012234 |access-date=14 June 2020 |language=sq |date=14 July 2018 |archive-date=14 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614151348/https://www.trt.net.tr/shqip/jeta-dhe-shendeti/2018/07/14/tirana-eshte-kthyer-ne-qytetin-me-me-shume-korsi-bicikletash-ne-shqiperi-1012234 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Ecovolis]] was launched in 2011 offering rental services for [[bicycle]]s at different centrally located stations for a small fee.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Ecovolis]] |url=http://www.ecovolis.com/ |title=Ecovolis |access-date=21 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106175934/http://ecovolis.com/ |archive-date=6 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Christiaens |first1=Jan |publisher=Eltis |title=Public bike service opens in Tirana (Albania) |url=https://www.eltis.org/de/node/37397 |access-date=14 June 2020 |date=1 August 2014 |archive-date=14 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614151353/https://www.eltis.org/de/node/37397 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The international [[bicycle sharing system]], [[Mobike]], launched its operations on 8 June 2018 by deploying 4000 bicycles in the city.<ref name="Mobike">{{cite web |last1=Global |first1=Mobike |publisher=[[Mobike]] |title=Mobike Launches in Tirana, Albania |url=https://mobike.com/global/blog/post/albania_launch |access-date=14 June 2020 |date=8 June 2018 |archive-date=22 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922181300/https://mobike.com/global/blog/post/albania_launch |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Radio Televizioni Shqiptar]] (RTSH) |title=Mobike ngushton hartën e përdorimit në Tiranë |url=https://www.rtsh.al/lajme/mobike-ngushton-harten-e-perdorimit-ne-tirane/ |access-date=14 June 2020 |language=sq |date=17 January 2019 |archive-date=17 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117194856/https://www.rtsh.al/lajme/mobike-ngushton-harten-e-perdorimit-ne-tirane/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> Both services were discontinued.

Safe cycling paths are still relatively rare, despite improvements in recent years. Paths are often blocked by parked cars or construction. Other obstructions which decrease ride quality, such as drain holes, are also prevalent. There were only around {{convert|30|km|abbr=off}} of cycling routes in 2020.<ref name="Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan" />