Kyiv Uses Public Funds for First Trolleybus Fleet Upgrade Since War Began

Kyiv’s Trolleybus Fleet Gets a Long-Awaited Refresh

According to Главком: For the first time since the full-scale invasion, Kyiv is upgrading its trolleybus fleet with budget money. On January 26, 2026, the municipal operator Kyivpastrans signed a contract worth 306.24 million UAH with Polythenoservice LLC for the delivery of 16 trolleybuses of the PTS T12309 model. The city had last taken delivery of a new trolleybus in January 2021. These new vehicles are built on chassis from the Turkish brand Akia and feature a control system made by Polythenoservice. They can operate autonomously for up to one kilometer.

Tender Details and Vehicle Requirements

The contract was awarded through a tender on the Prozorro system. The only other bidder was BAS Motor LLC, which offered the Bohdan T70117 model at a price 90,000 UAH higher. According to the tender documents, Kyiv must receive the new trolleybuses by December 1. The requirements for the vehicles include:

• length over 11.9 meters;
• capacity for about 100 passengers, including 34 seats;
• space for people with reduced mobility;
• heating and air conditioning systems;
• tinted windows;
• a ramp;
• LED lighting;
• route announcement systems.

In late September 2025, Kyiv planned to purchase 40 new trolleybuses for 1 billion UAH, but canceled the procurement, citing the need to revise technical specifications. Notably, since 2016, the number of operational trolleybuses in Kyiv has nearly halved, and most of the fleet is over 10 years old.

Investigative journalist Yuriy Nikolov claimed that the trolleybuses were purchased at the highest prices ever recorded on the Ukrainian market.

Transport expert Oleg Vasyliev noted that the city authorities, for unknown reasons, avoid buying vehicles with long-range autonomous capability, and emphasized that Kyiv should focus on expanding its fleet of trolleybuses that can travel extended distances without connecting to the overhead wires.

This fleet update marks a significant step for improving public transit amid the ongoing war and rising population needs. While the new trolleybuses are expected to modernize transport infrastructure and enhance service quality, questions about pricing and the rationale behind the technical specifications remain open. These issues are likely to fuel debate among experts and the public regarding future purchases and the development of the capital’s transport system.

In light of the recent upgrade to Kyiv's trolleybus fleet, it's worth noting that the city’s transit operator has also engaged in record-setting procurement deals. This highlights a broader trend in the city's approach to modernizing its public transport system amidst ongoing challenges. For a deeper insight into the financial implications and details of these historic purchases, you can read more about Kyiv's record-high trolleybus contracts.