First 100% low-floor tram arrives in Chelyabinsk

The Russian city of Chelyabinsk has received the first 71-639 three-section 100% low-floor six-axle tram from the Ust-Katavsk Carriage Building Plant named after Kirov (UKVZ). The model type has been named Castor. The 25m tram has 64 seats and can cope with track radii down to 14m. Maximum design speed is 90km/h. The prototype for Chelyabinsk is single-ended, but a double-ended version is available. Its starting price is RUR 155M. (GBP 1.3 M/EUR 1.5M) 

 

Speaking at a presentation on 19 March, Roman Novikov, General Manager of UKVZ said, "Today Chelyabinsk is one of the leaders in terms of the pace of development and renewal of rail transport in the country. Judge for yourself, in 3 years the city has received 141 new UKVZ trams, and in 2024, 60 more UKVZ wagons will be delivered under already concluded contracts. A modern tram is not only a comfort (low floor, climate control, uniform livery and much more), but also a quick way to travel around the city. This is made possible thanks to a comprehensive regional project to repair and isolate tracks, upgrade tram stops, and improve the passage of intersections. The new three—section trams, an example of which we were able to see today and even ride on it, solve the main problem of cities - traffic congestion. With the beginning of the transport reform, thanks to the capabilities of UKVZ wagons to work according to the CME, we have already begun to revive tram couplings.' 

 

"The next logical step is the transition to full—fledged multi-section wagons. This will certainly become possible within the framework of the ongoing Metro Tramway project," stressed the Deputy Minister of Road Management and Transport of the Chelyabinsk Region, Alexander Egorov.