European Investment Bank Supports Dnipro Public Transport Renewal With €21.4 Million Financing for New Trams, Trolleybuses and Maintenance Equipment

European Investment Bank Supports Dnipro Public Transport Renewal With €21.4 Million Financing for New Trams, Trolleybuses and Maintenance Equipment

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank is supporting Dnipro’s public transport modernization with €21.4 million in financing, enabling the eastern Ukrainian city to introduce new low-floor trams, trolleybuses and maintenance equipment while maintaining essential mobility during the war. Five locally manufactured low-floor trams have already entered service, becoming the first vehicles of their kind in a tram fleet that is more than 40 years old on average, while 15 new low-floor trolleybuses are scheduled for delivery later in 2026 and in 2027. The trams were produced by Tatra-Yug in Dnipro, with up to 70% Ukrainian-sourced components and more than 100 domestic companies involved in production. The investment forms part of the wider €200 million Ukraine Urban Public Transport Project II, coordinated by the Ministry of Finance and implemented with the Ministry for Recovery, Infrastructure and Transport. EIB and Ukrainian officials said the programme will improve accessibility, energy efficiency and reliability while supporting local industry, employment and economic resilience. The EIB has provided approximately €4.5 billion in financing to Ukraine since 2022.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUXEMBOURG, 10-Sep-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — The European Investment Bank (EIB) is supporting the renewal of public transport in the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro with €21.4 million in financing, helping the municipality introduce new low-floor trams, trolleybuses and maintenance equipment while essential urban services continue operating during the war.

Dnipro has now put five new low-floor trams into service, marking the first vehicles of this type in a municipal tram fleet that is more than 40 years old on average.

The wider investment programme also includes 15 new low-floor trolleybuses scheduled for delivery later in 2026 and during 2027, as well as additional trams and maintenance equipment.

First low-floor trams improve accessibility in Dnipro

The five new trams represent a significant upgrade for passengers, particularly older residents, people with disabilities, parents with prams and others with reduced mobility.

Their low-floor design makes boarding easier by removing the need to climb traditional tram steps.

The vehicles are also equipped with modern passenger-information systems and are designed to operate more quietly and efficiently than older rolling stock.

The EIB said the new fleet will help make Dnipro’s public transport system more accessible, energy-efficient and resilient.

New trams manufactured locally by Tatra-Yug

The trams were manufactured by Tatra-Yug at its production facilities in Dnipro.

Up to 70% of the components used in the vehicles were sourced from Ukrainian suppliers, supporting local industrial activity and employment.

More than 100 Ukrainian companies are involved in the production process, according to the Ukrainian government.

The local manufacturing element forms an important part of the project, linking urban transport modernization with broader economic support for Ukrainian businesses and jobs.

Vehicles enter service on key city route

The new trams are operating on Line No. 1, connecting Dnipro’s main railway station with the Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies.

The route is widely used by both residents and visitors and is one of the city’s important public transport connections.

The introduction of low-floor vehicles on the route also supports the development of a more accessible transport network, including Dnipro’s first barrier-free public transport route.

€21.4 million financing covers broader fleet renewal

The EIB financing extends well beyond the five trams already placed into service.

The €21.4 million package also covers additional trams, maintenance equipment and 15 low-floor trolleybuses due to arrive later in 2026 and during 2027.

The programme is designed to help Dnipro replace ageing electric transport assets with newer vehicles that can improve accessibility, operating efficiency and reliability.

EIB says mobility remains essential during wartime

Karl Nehammer, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank, said maintaining mobility remains essential for people travelling to work, school and other destinations, particularly during wartime.

He said EIB financing is helping Dnipro renew transport services that residents depend on while also bringing more accessible vehicles into operation.

Nehammer also highlighted the importance of supporting vehicle production in Ukraine as part of the investment.

EU support links urban mobility with local economic resilience

Joost Mohlmann, Head of Section for Reconstruction, Energy, Infrastructure and Environment at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, said Russia’s war has placed severe pressure on Ukrainian cities while the need for everyday mobility continues.

He said EU-backed public transport investment in Dnipro helps residents reach work, education and essential services while also supporting Ukrainian businesses and employment.

Mohlmann described the programme as a practical example of European support translated into daily benefits for local communities.

Dnipro project forms part of €200 million national programme

The investment is being implemented under the Ukraine Urban Public Transport Project II, a wider €200 million EIB initiative supporting Ukrainian municipalities as they modernize public transport systems.

The programme is coordinated by the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine and implemented by the Ministry for Recovery, Infrastructure and Transport of Ukraine in cooperation with participating cities and municipal transport companies.

The Dnipro component combines fleet renewal, accessibility improvements and support for local manufacturing.

Ukrainian government highlights local production and accessibility

Mykola Kalashnyk, Minister for Recovery, Infrastructure and Transport of Ukraine, said modernization of urban transport has a direct impact on quality of life.

He highlighted the arrival of low-floor trams and trolleybuses as important for improving accessibility on key routes.

Kalashnyk also emphasized the economic impact of producing the vehicles domestically, noting the high share of Ukrainian components and the participation of more than 100 local companies.

He said investments of this kind can help cities modernize public transport while strengthening Ukrainian industry and supporting the wider economy.

Ministry of Finance stresses inclusive recovery

Olga Zykova, Deputy Minister of Finance of Ukraine, said international financial support becomes most visible when residents experience improvements in daily life.

She said cooperation with the EIB is enabling Dnipro not only to replace ageing public transport but also to make the network more accessible and inclusive.

Zykova also emphasized that manufacturing the vehicles in Ukraine supports domestic industry, employment and economic recovery.

Dnipro officials welcome long-awaited fleet modernization

Ihor Makovtsev, Deputy Mayor of Dnipro, described the arrival of the new electric vehicles as a long-awaited modernization of the city’s transport system.

He noted that the new trams are already carrying passengers and that further fleet renewal is still to come.

Volodymyr Lehkiy, Chief Engineer of Municipal Company “Dnipro Electrotransport,” said the most immediate benefit for passengers is the ability to board the new trams without climbing steps.

He said this is particularly important for older passengers, parents with prams and people with reduced mobility.

EIB financing for Ukraine reaches €4.5 billion since 2022

The European Investment Bank has operated in Ukraine since 2007 and significantly increased its support following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

Since then, EIB financing in support of Ukraine has reached approximately €4.5 billion.

The bank is supporting recovery and modernization through initiatives including the EU for Ukraine (EU4U) Initiative and a dedicated role under the Ukraine Facility, working with European institutions, EU Member States and international partners.

The EIB in Ukraine 

Present in Ukraine since 2007, the EIB Group has significantly stepped up its financial support for the country’s resilience and modernisation following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Since then, EIB financing in support of Ukraine has reached €4.5 billion. Through its EU for Ukraine (EU4U) Initiative, coupled with its key role in implementing a dedicated window under the Ukraine Facility, the EIB is strongly committed to stepping up and accelerating its activities in line with the mandate given by EU leaders and in close cooperation with the European Commission, the European Parliament, Member States and international partners.

Media Contact:

Olga Sushytska
o.sushytska@ext.eib.org
+380 443908018

Press Office

+352 43791

SOURCE: European Investment Bank