Today, Vitebsk hosted a grand presentation of new low-floor trams that have arrived in the regional centre for operation on city routes. The event was attended by representatives of local authorities, employees of OJSC "Vitebskoblavtotrans", veterans of the enterprise, the manufacturing plant "BKM Holding", and the company OJSC "Promagroleasing", as well as creative groups from the city.
Alexander Nefedov, Deputy Chairman for Architecture and Construction of the Regional Executive Committee, recalled that Vitebsk was the first city in Belarus to open tram service.
- Today, on the eve of the 127th anniversary of the Vitebsk tram, we are witnessing a significant event for all residents and guests of the city, - he said. - We are launching a new generation of trams into service, which differs radically from the previous series, both technically and aesthetically.
The T811 tram model entered production at "BKM Holding" in 2022, and mass production began in 2023. Initially, the trams were exported to Russia – to Nizhny Novgorod, Samara, and Krasnodar. In the summer of 2024, they were put into operation in Mozyr, and at the beginning of 2025, the first carriages entered service in the Belarusian capital.
A distinctive feature of this tram model is the presence of air conditioning systems, automatic fire suppression, a multimedia system, USB ports for charging phones, and the possibility of connecting to the internet via Wi-Fi.
The carriage has 35 seats. The total capacity is 159 people.
- In this tram model, the number of doors has been increased – previous carriages had three, this one has four, - informed Oleg Bytsko, Deputy General Director of OJSC Management Company of Holding "Belkommunmash". - Opposite the double doors, there is an enlarged standing area for the convenience of passengers with prams and persons with disabilities. One of the doors has a ramp for disabled people. And the door arrangement allows for an increased speed of passenger entry and exit.
The new trams are also maximally comfortable for tram drivers.
- This equipment is very convenient to operate, - informed Anna Shcherbakova, a driver with 26 years of experience, to "VV". – A comfortable driver's seat, a smooth ride. The controller is not on the control panel (as in previous tram models), but on the armrest, which is very convenient for work. In addition, there are cameras inside and outside the cabin. Images from them are displayed on the driver's console.
During the solemn opening ceremony, Oleg Bytsko handed over the symbolic key to the new equipment to the General Director of Vitebskoblautotrans OJSC, Alexander Fedukovich. The event also included the honoring of the enterprise's veterans and performances by creative groups.
To conclude the program, participants and guests of the ceremony took an excursion around the city on trams, including those of Riga production that operated in Vitebsk last century. The excursion guide was Vasily Pavlyuchkov, former head of the Vitebsk Tram and Trolleybus Administration.
It is planned that the new trams will enter service at the beginning of June. They will start running on route No. 3.
vitebsk-region.gov.by
