Zaporizhzhia is nearing the purchase of ten low-floor trolleybuses capable of operating without contact networks. Over 3 million euros for transportation updates will be provided by the European Union, but first, the city must complete legal procedures. This is stated in an article by Forpost.
How much will the 10 new trolleybuses for Zaporizhzhia cost
The Zaporizhzhia City Council will consider a decision necessary to obtain an investment grant from the EU within the framework of the international project “Ukrainian Urban Public Transport.” The total cost of the purchase amounts to 4.05 million euros.
Funding is distributed between three sources:
- 3,029,991 euros will be provided by the European Commission as a grant;
- 850,888 euros will be obtained as a loan;
- 170,177.6 euros will be allocated from the local budget to cover VAT.
The contract for the supply of rolling stock was signed on June 25, 2025, by KP “Zaporizhelektrotrans” with the Ukrainian manufacturer LLC “TD “LITAN.” Now the city authorities are preparing documents for the actual receipt of grant installments.
What the new trolleybuses in Zaporizhzhia will be like
The city will receive fully low-floor vehicles with an autonomous drive. They will be able to travel up to 20 km without connection to the contact network, allowing transportation to be used on sections without trolleybus lines or during their damage.
The interiors will be adapted for passengers using wheelchairs. Conditions will also be created for the passage of visually impaired individuals accompanied by guide dogs.
The autonomous drive will allow for more flexible route formation and reduce dependence on the state of the contact network. Meanwhile, specific routes and the timing of the new vehicles entering service are not specified in the draft decision.
How Zaporizhzhia will apply for the EU grant for trolleybuses
Earlier, the city council approved a local guarantee for the credit part of the funding. At this new stage, it is necessary to identify officials authorized to sign documents, receive installments, and transfer funds under the agreement with the European Investment Bank.
Such powers are planned to be granted to the city mayor or the city council secretary, heads of the financial and transport departments, and the general director of “Zaporizhelektrotrans.”
The adoption of the decision will not require additional expenditures from the community budget. It aims to complete the formal procedures necessary for receiving over 3 million euros in grant funding and executing the already signed contract.
It should be noted that on June 29, Russian troops struck the building of the Zaporizhzhia Regional State Administration twice with a drone.