Kharkiv receives old trams from the Czech Republic and Lviv more modern ones from Switzerland
Tatra T3R.P tram in Pilsen, photo by https://alltransua.com/gallery/photo/44222
Kharkiv has received four trams from Pilsen, Czech Republic, and has begun re-equipping them, while Lviv is preparing to receive relatively modern Swiss trams from Bern.
On October 16th it was reported that Kharkiv received four used Tatra T3R.P trams from the Czech city of Pilsen for free as they had reached the end of their service life. They were given to Kharkiv as humanitarian aid.
According to the mayor of Kharkiv, quoted by Suspilne News, the trams will be used on the routes after all inspections and adjustment to the Kharkiv track gauge. In Pilsen, the track gauge is 1435 mm, while in Kharkiv it is 1524 mm.
The Tatra T3R.P trams received by Kharkiv were manufactured in 1975-1987. The oldest of them will turn 50 in two years and can be classified as antiques. These classic Tatras have 23 seats each. However, they are not low-floor, which means they are not adapted for people with limited mobility. Kharkiv is expected to receive five more such trams.
The trend towards improving transport services for passengers in an inexpensive way is also supported by Lviv. The Transport Department of the Lviv City Council reported on its Facebook page that experts from the Bernmobil transport company (Bern, Switzerland) visited the city on October 9-11th. They inspected Lviv's transport infrastructure to see if it was possible to run used "Vevey" trams. According to preliminary agreements, Bern will donate 11 tramcars to Lviv. Eight of them will operate on routes and three will be used for spare parts.
A "Vevey" tram on a street in Bern, photo by https://alltransua.com/database/vehicle/142201
These used tramcars have three sections. They are partially low-floor. The Vevey trams were manufactured in Switzerland during 1989-90, have 62 seats and a total passenger capacity of 242 passengers.
Once the Swiss side has finalised its intentions, the trams will be delivered to Lviv in 2024.
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Resources:
https://t.me/citykharkivua/39707
https://suspilne.media/595265-do-harkova-priihali-cotiri-tramvai-z-cehii-ocikuut-se-pat-foto/
https://tvoemisto.tv/news/lviv_bezoplatno_otrymaie_11_shveytsarskyh_tramvaiv_155875.html