The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved more than EUR 15 million in funding for a project for modernizing public transport in Khmelnytskyi.

Mayor of Khmelnytskyi Oleksandr Simchyshyn announced this in a statement, the CFTS portal reports.

"We plan to buy up to 45 modern, low-floor trolleybuses. For this, we plan to obtain a loan of EUR 10.6 million... In addition to the loan, Khmelnytskyi will receive a grant of EUR 4.45 million for purchasing new vehicles," Simchyshyn said.

He added that in addition to upgrading its rolling stock, the Elektrotrans municipal transport utility will partially modernize its trolleybus depot and establish a completely new automated car wash.

"We plan to officially sign the grant and loan agreements approximately in April. Tender procedures and the equipment production cycle will follow. Essentially, we expect to receive the first batch of trolleybuses at the beginning of 2024," Simchyshyn said.

According to the mayor, the city plans to fully upgrade its trolleybus fleet and Elektrotrans’ base and increase the number of its trolleybuses by 20%.

As reported earlier, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) recently invited tenders for the supply of new trolleybuses, provision of consulting services, and modernization of Khmelnytskyi’s trolleybus infrastructure at the estimated total cost of EUR 16.75 million.

Khmelnytskyi city authorities and EBRD representatives signed an agreement on a future loan for purchasing 50 trolleybuses last fall. Of these, 10 trolleybuses should be able to operate autonomously.

Khmelnytskyi has purchased 32 new trolleybuses and overhauled 6 since 2016.