Kyiv receives first batch of metro carriages from Poland

The first batch of six used carriages, handed over to Kyiv by the Warsaw Metro, arrived in the capital.

Rubryka reports, referring to the Kyiv City State Administration.

What is the problem?

In total, 821 cars are currently in operation on the lines of the Kyiv underground. Seven hundred twenty-six in different years were manufactured at factories located in the Russian Federation.

"While the war is going on, we cannot name the exact date when we completely replace the Russian-made wagons, but we cannot waste time now and not think about the future," said the deputy head of the Kyiv metro Natalia Makohon.

What is the solution?

The International Association of Public Transport, of which "Kyiv Metropoliten" has become a member, can help replace rolling stock.

The International Association of Public Transport consists of carriage and equipment manufacturers for both surface and underground transportation. They address matters related to new purchases, technical expertise for metro re-equipment, and rolling stock modernization.

The organization's members have expressed their willingness to discuss different projects aimed at providing support and assistance to the Kyiv Metro. The Kyiv metro plans to abandon Russian-made cars in the long term completely.

How does it work?

The carriages belong to series No. 717, also operated in the Kyiv metro. "Today, I inspected the first batch, six subway cars, which the Kyiv metro received from Warsaw as charitable aid to the capital," said the capital's mayor Vitalii Klychko.

They will be used as "technical donors" for capital repairs of the existing rolling stock. Within the agreement, 60 decommissioned wagons should be transferred to Kyiv free of charge.

"For the Kyiv Metro, this is a significant help, as 80% of the rolling stock is Soviet-made. This help will ensure the uninterrupted operation of the Kyiv Metro, the safety of train traffic, and the safe transportation of passengers," the city administration said.

Delivery of all 60 wagons will take place in stages during the year. Within the agreement, carriages worth more than 40 million zlotys (more than 330 million hryvnias) should be transferred to Kyiv.

In 2014–2017, 135 wagons were modernized with the funds of the Kyoto Protocol. The Kryukiv Wagon-Building Plant also produces 30 wagons.