Volgograd unveils modernized trams, trolleybuses and energy-efficient streetlights
Volgograd Becomes First City in Urban Electric Transport Program to Deploy Full Fleet of Trams and Trolleybuses
A delegation from VEB.RF, led by State Development Corporation Chairman Igor Shuvalov, made a working visit to Volgograd, where the corporation supports the expansion of electric transport, urban lighting, and other infrastructure projects.
Volgograd has become the first city in Russia's Urban Electric Transport (UET) program to put its entire fleet of trams and trolleybuses into service, officials from VEB.RF told Expert during the visit.
A total of 62 new trams and 21 trolleybuses have been delivered to the city, with all vehicles now operating on their routes, including the high-speed tram line and Route No. 2. Work is also underway to upgrade traction substations and tram tracks. The total budget for Volgograd's UET modernization stands at approximately 12 billion rubles, of which 3 billion rubles were provided by VEB.RF as a loan, with an additional 8 billion rubles coming from a federal capital grant.
"Volgograd is a city with a unique topography, stretching along the Volga River. Accessible, eco-friendly public transport is a vital part of quality of life for both residents and visitors," Shuvalov noted. "Together with the region, we have experience modernizing the tram network, which has already brought two upgraded routes into operation. All trams and trolleybuses have been delivered, and we expect the completion of another 14 kilometers of track, along with the reconstruction of substations and depots."
During the visit, the delegation—along with Volgograd Region Governor Andrey Bocharov and Mayor Vladimir Marchenko—traveled on the high-speed tram and trolleybus routes.
Shuvalov also visited the Avangard military-sports camp in the urban settlement of Srednyaya Akhtuba and inspected production facilities at the Volgabus plant, which manufactures buses.
With VEB.RF's support, Volgograd has installed over 6,000 lighting poles and laid 315 kilometers of outdoor lighting lines. According to the corporation, more than 9,500 streetlights across the city have been replaced with energy-efficient models, increasing illumination on 200 streets and courtyards by 30% and improving overall lighting efficiency by 50%.
VEB.RF is also investing in large-scale upgrades to the region's water supply, wastewater, heating, and urban lighting systems, with total project costs exceeding 548 billion rubles. The corporation's share in these initiatives amounts to 52.4 billion rubles.
Andrei Bocharov expressed his gratitude to VEB.RF and personally to Igor Shuvalov for their support of initiatives aimed at developing the Volgograd region: "The projects are being implemented in line with our plans, at the highest level, and most importantly—they significantly improve people's quality of life. Today, we also discussed future projects tied to the further development of our country and the Volgograd region. VEB.RF offers highly compelling and beneficial support tools, which I am confident will be in high demand."
