Smolny Reports Difficulties with Tram Procurement for 2026

In 2025, 61 trams arrived in St. Petersburg. However, the share of rolling stock meeting standards still stands at only 80%.

At a city government meeting on 21 July, head of the transport committee Denis Minkin noted that the city surpasses federal requirements for vehicle service life.

In 2025, the city«s transport fleet was expanded by 383 buses, 83 electric buses, 92 trolleybuses, and 61 trams. At the same time, tenders for tram procurement for 2026 were canceled.

According to Minkin, this could negatively affect both the condition of the Gorelektrotrans (St. Petersburg City Electric Transport) fleet and the production capacities of tram manufacturers. To address the issue, the transport division, together with the investment committee, is seeking financing options.

Earlier it was reported that to bring the entire fleet into compliance by 2030, St. Petersburg needs to purchase 300 trams. For 2026, an additional 14 billion rubles ($164,705,900 at current rates) was requested to purchase 72 cars, but then a purchase of 26 trams for 4.7 billion rubles ($55,294,100 at current rates) was canceled. City financial authorities have not ruled out returning to the issue.