On the right track

OLD TRAMS HELP 'GREEN' UKRAINE'S PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Lviv, the largest city in Western Ukraine lies, which lies just 70km from the border with Poland has been inundated with tens of thousands of people moving there since the war began in 2022, including those disabled by the conflict, putting immense pressure on the public transport system. But Switzerland and Germany have come to the rescue and are meeting these needs, and those of the planet, through their donation of more than 100 used trams.

Despite being older models than Lviv's existing fleet, the Vevey manufactured trams are less energy-intensive having a more positive climate impact. "It is important that these cars are energy-saving," said Lvivelectrotrans (LET), which operates Lviv's trams and trolleybuses. "In particular, they consume 2-2.5 times less electricity than existing trams."

Currently a huge rehabilitation centre, called 'Unbroken', is being built for up to 10,000 disabled veterans in Lviv and 11 of Switzerland's decommissioned low-floor trams are being sent, which also have mobile ramps to help wheelchair access. In addition they are sending 67 high-floor trams to Vinnytsia in west central Ukraine and are also training engineers from both cities as part of a Swiss development aid project.

Lviv has also recently received a batch of donated trams from Berlin, who in the past have helped to maintain local transport both there and in Kiev by sending several of their iconic yellow double-deckers and providing spares for trams. Their recent tram donations are now in the process of being re-fitted to the width of the city's gauge.

Although the the Vevey trams are over 30 years old, the less energy intensive tram fleet are expected to run for another 10-12 years and there may be more donations to come.