New trolleybuses for Chisinau come from Belarus

The Belarusian company Belkommunmash will make and supply the 102 trolleybuses purchased by the Chisinau City Hall. The units of transport will be delivered in four batches, by next May. The first 20 trolleybuses will be brought to Chisinau next February, Info-Prim Neo reports. The new trolleybuses have a seating capacity of 100. They will use less electric power and will provide wheelchair access. Three companies from Russia, one from Ukraine and the winning firm from Belarus took part in the tender contest. The decisive criterion in selecting the winner was the purchase price. Belkommunmash offered the lowest price - €175,000 for a trolleybus, said Mayor of Chisinau Dorin Chirtoaca. Besides the 102 new trolleybuses, the Chisinau Electric Transport Company will buy a vehicle overhaul system. The drivers will be trained by the producer in maneuvering the trolleybuses. The cost of the project is €13.7 million, including €0.7 million technical assistance. €5 million represents a loan from the EBRD, another €5 million – a loan from the EIB, while €3million was provided by the European Union as a grant. Currently, 260 trolleybuses run on routes in Chisinau. 200 of them must be replaced.