In Lviv, the tenth five-section low-headed tram “Electron” has started running. This is the last of the trams that the city purchased with a loan from the EIB under the Urban Public Transport of Ukraine project.
Thus, today Lviv summarized the results of the project. In particular, the leadership of Lviv, the European Investment Bank (EIB), a delegate from the EU Delegation to Ukraine, the heads of Lvivelectrotrans and Concern-Electron, and deputies visited the tram depot and inspected the trams.
As a reminder, thanks to Lviv’s participation in the Urban Public Transport of Ukraine project, the city received a €17.4 million loan from the European Investment Bank to purchase ten five-section trams adapted for wheelchair users. Lvivelectrotrans signed the contract for their supply in September 2020 and received them in stages over 2021-2024. Today, all 10 trams run mainly on route 8, which connects the city center and the largest residential area of Sykhiv.
“In 2010, an agreement was signed to supply 10 high-quality trams to the city. There was a tender. Our Lviv-based Electron won the tender. Today, we have the final chord – all 10 trams are already operating on the route. It is very important to set this example in times of war. Today we use our cash to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and we purchased the trams with loans provided to us on favorable terms. Cooperation with the European Investment Bank is a uniquely positive cooperation. Today, many communities are watching this case because every city would like to have such cooperation. Therefore, I am very grateful to the Bank and everyone who joined this project. Especially during the war,” said Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi.
Jean-Erik de Zagon, Head of the EIB Regional Representation for Eastern Europe, noted that “despite the challenges posed by the Russian war in Ukraine, Lviv has demonstrated remarkable resilience by completing this project and providing access to ten comfortable, inclusive and environmentally friendly locally produced trams. The EIB remains committed to supporting Ukrainian cities in the implementation of transport, road, energy and other municipal projects, contributing to the country’s sustainable recovery and development.”
Henrik Witfelt, Head of Local and Human Development at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, also congratulated Lviv on the timely receipt of 10 trams: “Residents and visitors of the city can now enjoy a new, inclusive and environmentally friendly form of public transportation. Together with the EIB, we will continue to support Ukraine by helping to restore and improve vital urban services and contribute to economic stability.”
Mayor Andriy Sadovyi also emphasized that the products manufactured by the Electron plant are of high quality. And the city is interested in continuing to purchase vehicles for Lviv from the local manufacturer.
“I am satisfied with the Lviv manufacturer. If there was an opportunity, we would order a lot of things from them. Of course, we would pay for it after the war, or by attracting loans or grants,” said Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi.
At the same time, Yuriy Bubes, President and Chairman of the Board of Concern-Electron, assured that the company is ready to fulfill the city’s orders and produce vehicles for Lviv.
It is important that the new low-floor trams are adapted for people in wheelchairs, which meets the growing need for inclusive transportation in Ukraine. The Mayor of Lviv emphasized that it is a priority for the city to make public transportation comfortable and accessible to all. Therefore, by attracting loan funds, the city also intends to modernize TATRA KT4-SU trams, adapting them for people with limited mobility.
“We now have another project to modernize trams to provide a low-floor function. Because today the issue of accessibility is a matter of our priority. Electron trams already provide for this. But we have a large fleet of trams that were made in the last century and are still suitable for operation. But they must be suitable for people with disabilities,” emphasized Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi.
During the meeting at the city hall, the European guests were also presented with important projects that Lviv is implementing together with its partners. These include the UNBROKEN humanity ecosystem and veteran centers that are being actively developed in the city. They also presented the Cities 4 Cities initiative as a possible platform for training Ukrainian communities in project management in writing and implementing projects funded by international financial organizations.
The Urban Public Transport of Ukraine project is being implemented by the Ministry of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine, city councils and utility companies. The European Union provided technical support in the amount of €3.5 million.
In total, the project is also upgrading public transport fleets in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Ternopil, Lutsk, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Ivano-Frankivsk. The total cost of the EIB project is €200 million. With the support of technical assistance from the European Union, the Ministry of Infrastructure and the participating cities are also receiving assistance in the preparation and implementation of the project, as well as in the adoption of European standards for sustainable urban mobility.
Oleksandr Kubrakov, Vice Prime Minister for Reconstruction of Ukraine and Minister of Development of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure of Ukraine, said: “High-quality public transportation is one of the key requests for change among the residents of Ukrainian cities. We are grateful that, despite the war, our European partners continue to support the development of urban public transport, bringing it closer to European standards. Lviv and other cities participating in the EIB Urban Public Transport project demonstrate remarkable resilience in fulfilling their tasks – whether it is renewing transport or restoring damaged facilities – and improve the lives of citizens despite all the challenges.”
More information about the EIB
Operating in Ukraine since 2007, the EIB has been steadfastly supporting the country’s European integration, which has become even more important since Russia’s full-scale invasion. With a project portfolio of €7.3 billion, the Bank invests in municipal infrastructure, energy, transport and SMEs to improve daily life, boost economic growth and contribute to Ukraine’s resilience and recovery. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the EIB has provided immediate assistance to Ukraine, with €2 billion in emergency repairs to critical infrastructure.
Through the Bank’s EU for Ukraine Initiative and its EU for Ukraine Fund, as well as through the EIB’s key role in the implementation of the EU’s €50 billion Ukraine Facility, the Bank remains committed to strengthening its activities in Ukraine in line with the mandate given by EU leaders and in close cooperation with the European Commission, the European Parliament, EU Member States and international partners.
More information about Electron trams
T5L641 is a five-section single-space comfortable tramcar with air conditioning in the passenger compartment and driver’s cab, with low vibration and noise levels, the technical level of which meets modern European requirements for urban electric transport. Wide doors and a low floor level of the car allow for faster boarding and alighting of passengers, especially convenient for passengers with children and people with limited mobility.
The number of seats is 58, the total passenger capacity of the tram is 250 people.
The floor of the car in the area of the cabin doors is equipped with a heating system that prevents icing and snow accumulation in winter. A special window coating retains heat in the cold season and reflects the sun’s ultraviolet rays in the heat. The tram is equipped with external and internal panoramic video cameras: in the passenger compartment, near the passenger doors and behind the car, which provide a wider viewing area and driver control over the traffic situation and passenger boarding and alighting.