Rostov-na-Donu signs tramway modernisation PPP concession

The riverport city of Rostov-na-Donu in southern Russia, not far from the Ukrainian border, has a population of 1.1M, and a 25km standard-gauge tramway system opened in 1887 and electrified in 1902/3, with four lines and some 50 trams, including 30 Transmash Holdings City Star bogie cars bought in 2016-17 in readiness for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. A 2014 project to modernise the tramway in partnership with Alstom Transport did not come to fruition. Plans for a metro line were also cancelled. 

 

In line with recent trends in Russian tramway cities, a PPP concession agreement has now been signed with Sinatra City Transport Solutions, which will invest RUR 8bn to upgrade and expand the tramway in 2023-2028. Other funding will come from a soft loan provided by the state development corporation VEB.RF. 47km of existing track will be modernised and 73.5km of new track laid at a cost of RUR 41bn, including modernising 15 electrical substations and building six new ones. Two new depots will; be provided. 76 articulated low-floor trams to a new design will be supplied and the 30 City Star refurbished with a total rolling stock cost of RUR 14.6bn.