Odesa plans to modernize electric transport

The Odesa City Council is preparing to update the electric transport development program for 2022-2028 and increase the authorized capital of Odesmiskelectrotrans. These decisions are aimed at modernizing the tram and trolleybus fleet and improving the quality of passenger transportation in the city.

The relevant decision was made at a meeting of the Standing Committee on Transport and Roads.

The commission members approved two decisions on the development of electric transport in the city. Among the main points is a draft decision to amend the City Target Program for the Development of Electric Transport for 2022-2028, which was approved in February 2022. The program update envisages improving the operation of the tram and trolleybus fleet, modernizing electric vehicles, and increasing the efficiency of the route network.

Another issue was the increase in the authorized capital of Odesskeselectrotrans and the approval of its new charter. This decision will allow the utility to attract additional financial resources to purchase new vehicles, upgrade infrastructure and improve passenger services.

In addition, the commission plans to consider a number of other current issues related to the city's transport and road sector.

At the beginning of the year, the commission reported that Odesmiskelectrotrans needs about UAH 1.5 billion to overhaul or replace tram tracks.

Of the 197 kilometers of tracks in the city, almost 100 need urgent reconstruction, and together with the renewal of the contact and cable network, the total funding requirement is at least UAH 1.5 billion. The commission emphasized that the critical condition of the tram infrastructure is due to years of underfunding, and without large-scale modernization, the city's electric transport could be severely limited.

In early September, Odesa Mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov ordered an unscheduled internal audit of Odesmiskelectrotrans' activities regarding the use of electricity in the period from 2018 to 2023.

Анна Бальчінос