Rebuilding Ukraine: Switzerland donates 11 public buses to war-torn Chernihiv

The strategic goal of the project is to establish a mechanism for the transfer of buses from Swiss to Ukrainian municipalities, which will contribute to decentralized inter-municipal cooperation.

Rubryka reports this with reference to the press service of the Chernihiv City Council.

What is the problem?

Chernihiv was one of the first Ukrainian cities to undergo significant destruction due to full-scale Russian military aggression. Thus, a significant part of the public infrastructure of the city was destroyed, in particular, 30% of the trolleybus network.

The existing public transport is not enough to serve the citizens and the large number of internally displaced persons. Today, about 230,000 residents live in Chernihiv.

What is the solution?

The municipality of St. Gallen, Switzerland, is handing over 11 public buses to the city council of Chernihiv. The vehicles are in excellent condition, as certified by specialists during an independent examination. This is the first transfer of buses between municipalities.

How does it work?

All buses will be taken on balance by the Chernihiv City Council, which will also be responsible for operation, maintenance of equipment and free transportation of all categories of socially vulnerable population groups (elderly people, children, people with disabilities, etc.).

The transport company of St. Gallen also transfers all available bus spare parts that may be needed later during repairs.

Ambassador of Switzerland to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, Félix Baumann:

"We already have a long and successful history of providing support for urban mobility in Ukrainian cities, including the delivery of trams. Today, we open a new chapter, with the first delivery of buses to Ukraine. I am happy that this grassroots initiative came from students – Ukrainian and Swiss. St. Gallen and Chernihiv discovered each other on a map and established a connection.

The result of this partnership is very concrete. Eleven buses will start serving passengers in Chernihiv thanks to it. It is also an inspiring example for future decentralized cooperation between Ukrainian and Swiss municipalities."

Acting Chernihiv Mayor, Oleksandr Lomako:

"On behalf of the community of Chernihiv, I thank the partners for this support and assistance. Special words of gratitude to the community of the City of St. Gallen, the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine and all those involved in today's event, thanks to whom Chernihiv received these buses. They will be on the balance of the communal trolleybus management. Now, we are considering the possibility of their use on special school routes connecting remote neighborhoods of the city with lyceums. During the hostilities in 2022, Chernihiv was significantly destroyed. Education and public transportation are among the most damaged areas. During this time, tremendous work has been done to restore access to offline education and the operation of public transport. And this is a great merit of the partners and already real friends of Chernihiv, among whom is Switzerland, its people and organizations. Thank you for supporting our children! This is a tremendous support, thanks to which, in the conditions of war, we can restore damaged educational institutions, make them high-quality, safe and accessible." 

Co-founder of St. Gallen Helps Ukraine, Oliver Meyer:

"We all want to help the people in Ukraine. It is great to see what can be achieved when different organizations with different strengths but with the same motivation join their efforts. The fact that we as a group of young people – Swiss and Ukrainian students – were able to organize buses from Switzerland that will benefit young people in Ukraine is a true sign of how we can all be there for each other."

It is worth mentioning that the tram lanes in the capital were actually covered with turf rather than concrete slabs. Rubryka interviewed urban planner Mariia Holiuk about the rationale behind this choice.