On March 7, Vitebsk /Diana Kurilo - BELTA/. The Vitebsk region and the open joint-stock company "Minsk Automobile Plant" have concluded an agreement for the supply of 85 buses to the region in 2012, as reported to a BELTA correspondent by the head of the transport and communications department of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Andrey Gulidin. The purchased buses of various capacities will be used for urban and inter-district passenger transportation and will allow for a 10% renewal of the region's bus fleet. According to Andrey Gulidin, the decision to abandon the purchase of buses of other brands in favour of MAZ is due to the high quality and comfort of Minsk buses. Furthermore, in the current year, in accordance with the state program for providing cities of the republic with urban ground electric transport for 2009-2013, it is planned to acquire 20 trams manufactured by "Belkommunmash" for Vitebsk. The Vitebsk Tram and Trolleybus Directorate and OJSC "Management Company of the Holding "Belkommunmash" are conducting relevant negotiations. The necessity of purchasing a large number of trams is due to their high wear and tear: out of 99 tram cars, 64% have been in operation for over 20 years. In 2013, taking into account the prospective development of the trolleybus route network and for the renewal of the tram fleet, it is planned to purchase ten trolleybuses and ten tram cars.-0-

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