Mobility is a key factor in determining economic productivity and quality of life, as transport systems connect people to jobs, education, health, recreation and to other residents. The Ukrainian cities of Vinnytsia and Lviv need to replace parts of their tram fleet and has requested Swiss support. After a successful first transfer of trams from Zurich between 2007 and 2011 to Vinnytsia, a second transfer shall contribute to improve the public transport and mobility system of Vinnytsia and Lviv. This project is embedded within SECO’s wider support to sustainable urban development.

The overall objective of the project is to ensure the reliability and quality tram services of Vinnytsia and Lviv and to contribute to the modernization and decarbonisation of the city’s public transport and mobility system through a transfer of trams from Zurich to Vinnytsia on one side and from Berne to Lviv on the other side and accompanying capacity-building activities.

Operation and maintenance of second hand trams from Switzerland is sustainable

Reliability and availability of tram fleet in Vinnytsia and Lviv increase

Tram ridership is kept stable or increases

Share of more energy efficient trams in tram fleet increases

Vinnytsia and Lviv implements commonly agreed counterpart measures to modernize their system of public transport and non-motorized mobility

Expected results:  

67 Tram 2000 from Zurich are transported to Vinnytsia, adapted to local norms and are operational

11 Trams BE 4/8 from Berne are transported to Lviv and adapted to local norms and are operational

Staff of Vinnytsia and Lviv transport companies is trained to operate and maintain the trams

Tailor-made trainings respond to the needs of the transport company and city administration

Results from previous phases:  

A first transfer of 88 tram carriages from Zurich between 2007 and 2011 enabled to replace Vinnytsia’s worn-out tram fleet with functional second hand trams which are still in operation today. Thanks to the reliability of this rolling material and the partial rehabilitation and extension of the public transport network infrastructure, the ridership of electric transport grew by 26% as well as the passengers’ satisfaction. Vinnytsia ranks first in yearly polls inquiring about the population’s satisfaction with public transport system in Ukrainian cities.