Transmashholding has handed over the first next-generation trams including four single-section 71-911EM Lvyonok units and three Vityaz M light rail vehicles to the city of Samara, in southern Russia. A ceremony was held on February 19, 2025, attended by the Governor of Samara Oblast, Vyacheslav Fedorishchev; the Minister of Transport and Highways of the region, Sergey Karpov; the mayor of the city, Ivan Noskov; and the CEO of Transmashholding (TMH), Kirill Lipa.
The new trams are manufactured by the Production Company “Transport Systems” (PC Transport Systems), a strategic partner of TMH in the field of urban electric transport production. The project is implemented with the support of Sberbank and its partner, SberLeasing. Under the contract, 41 low-floor Lvyonok trams will be delivered to the city of Samara, which will be operated by the municipal enterprise of the Samara urban district “Tram and Transport Management.”
“The renewal of the electric transport fleet is aimed at improving the quality of passenger transport and the comprehensive development of transport infrastructure. With the new, technologically advanced trams, we can see how the city’s appearance is changing, and the lives of Samara residents are becoming more comfortable and convenient,” Natalia Krasulina, Manager of the Samara Branch of Sberbank, said.
The 71-911EM Lvyonok tram is a single-car, maneuverable tram, ideal for the conditions of Russian cities. It combines spaciousness and convenient access and is equipped with a video surveillance system and a modern control system.
The programme for upgrading electric transport in the Samara Oblast and the introduction of next-generation trams is being implemented under the framework of the region’s agreement, which TMH signed at the Innoprom International Industrial Trade Fair held in July 2024. The modernisation of transport infrastructure, digitalisation, and the renewal of the rolling stock fleet are all part of the plan.
Under the framework agreement, TMH will deliver a total of 71 Lvyonok trams to Samara during 2025 and 2026.
During the warranty period, a Technical Support Centre has been set up in Samara, where specialists from PC Transport Systems can quickly carry out repairs of tram cars if a warranty case occurs. For this purpose, a warranty spare parts warehouse has been organised at the depot. The team will also help depot workers quickly adapt to the features of operating and maintaining the new modern trams.
“The new Lvyonok trams will soon enter passenger service on the city’s network. When, last summer, the residents presented us with a very difficult problem of fleet modernisation, it became clear that repairs would not be enough repairs and that we needed to purchase new equipment. And we needed to purchase a lot of new equipment. As you know, this equipment is in high demand, and the waiting list for their purchase was 2-3 years. However, Transmashholding is a strategic partner of the Samara Region, as it purchases many products for the manufacture of these cars here in Samara. Therefore, we reached an understanding, the company supported us, and we purchased 74 units,” said the Governor of Samara Oblast.
The delivery of the next-generation trams is expected to replace older, less efficient models, contributing to a 29% renewal of the city’s tram fleet. The delivery of these new trams is part of a broader strategy to modernize the city’s entire transport infrastructure, including the tram network.
A total of 74 trams will be delivered to the provincial capital by the end of 2026, of which three Vityaz M light rail vehicles and 71 single-section Lvyonok trams. 40 Lvyonok trams will be manufactured for Samara by the end of 2025 and another batch of 31 units will be delivered to the city by April 2026.
Vityaz-M LRVs
As part of the city’s tram fleet renewal, three-section 71-931M Vityaz-M light rail vehicles have also been delivered to Samara, which began commercial operation in January 2025 on the longest No. 22 line (18 km) and most in-demand route, with approximately 4 million passengers annually.
The 71-931M Vityaz-M tram is a three-section LRV manufactured by PC Transport Systems. The passenger capacity of the tram is from 185 to 260 people, depending on the interior layout. This is twice as many as the previous generation of trams.
Special attention was given to passenger comfort in the design and production of the Vityaz-M trams which have panoramic windows that allow passengers to enjoy views of the city, while ergonomic seats make the ride comfortable and pleasant. The wide doors will significantly increase the speed of passenger exchange at stops. The spacious 100% low floor tram ensures comfortable movement for passengers, and the large information screens provide full information about the journey. The interior is made using aluminum alloys, making it durable, fire-resistant, and aesthetically attractive. Passengers will be able to charge mobile devices directly in the cabins, and the cameras inside and outside the tram help the driver monitor the situation inside the vehicle and on the road.
“The three-section low-floor Vityaz M tram is designed for comfortable and safe rides. The spacious cabin, ergonomic seats, and wide doors make the tram convenient for all passengers, including those with limited mobility,” Alexander Dubrovkin, the CEO of PC Transport Systems, said.
Currently, 464 Vityaz-M trams are operating in Moscow, and 92 in St. Petersburg.
Production localisation
The Samara Oblast, as a large industrial region, is an important source of various materials and components for TMH, which are used in the production of final products. The manufacturer cooperates with more than 200 enterprises, purchasing components for passenger railcars, locomotives, trams, and metro trains.
“We are ready to supply the equipment that the region needs and to do so on time. Our company is capable of offering fully import-substituted products. This includes not only the trams you see today but also metro cars, electric buses, trolleybuses – in other words, all types of transport that the administration, city residents, and people of the region will perceive positively, we will provide,” said the CEO of TMH.
In 2023, various products were purchased from enterprises in the Samara Oblast for a total of RUB 3.5 billion (USD 40.4 million), and in 2024, the value increased to RUB 4.4 billion (USD 50.8 million).
The manufacturing of the next-generation trams at PC Transport Systems reaches 95%, which means there will be no issues with components and spare parts, and the maintenance of the equipment will be carried out quickly.
The production of the trams takes place at the Tver Mechanical Plant for Electric Transport and the Nevsky Electric Transport Plant, both part of PC Transport Systems.
The tram renewal and procurement programe in the city of Samara is part of a broader effort to modernise the city’s public transport infrastructure and improve the quality of passenger services. The programme focuses on introducing new, modern trams to replace older models and enhance the overall efficiency, safety, and comfort of the city’s tram network.
While the Lvyonok trams are designed for the city’s urban environment the Vityaz M tram trams are designed for greater passenger capacity, are intended to serve the most popular and longest routes in the city. The production of these trams is largely localized, with a high degree of component sourcing from Russian suppliers, which ensures both the availability of parts and quick maintenance. This also helps reduce the reliance on imports and supports the local economy.
By investing in modern, high-capacity, and environmentally friendly trams, Samara aims to improve the quality of life for its residents, ease traffic congestion, and support sustainable urban development.
The Samara Oblast is actively participating in several federal programmes aimed at the development and modernisation of its transport infrastructure. These programmes are part of Russia’s broader efforts to improve the efficiency, safety, and environmental sustainability of its transport systems. Samara, as one of the major industrial and transport hubs in the Volga Federal District, is leveraging these federal programmes to upgrade its public transport, road networks, and other key infrastructure projects.
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