Rostov transport head clarifies trolleybus plans

Can Rostov«s trolleybuses be saved from elimination? This question was posed to the head of the city»s transport department, Konstantin Lashenko, during a meeting of an information group with residents of the Zheleznodorozhny district.

Here is what the official said.

— The document with the word «cancellation» was misinterpreted. No cancellation is planned. What is planned is the possibility of temporarily replacing trolleybuses during the coordination period for infrastructure replacement, because it is in very unsatisfactory condition. Therefore, we proposed concentrating [trolleybuses] on the most in-demand routes. We have sent all proposals and comments for adjustments. [This is about] preserving routes and conserving the network for its future restoration.

— So is its restoration planned? — a resident clarified.

— If funds are allocated — yes, of course. Why not?

Earlier, specialists from MosTransProject proposed canceling trolleybus routes No. 1, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, and 14, while keeping the in-demand routes No. 2, 17, and 22. This caused outrage among city residents. After the backlash, officials reported that the Public Transport Development Strategy for Rostov is still only an unapproved draft. Therefore, it is too early to talk about canceling trolleybus routes.

At the same time, the city«s transport department stated: »The existing trolleybus infrastructure will be preserved. And if funding sources for its large-scale renewal appear (for example, a new federal targeted program), it will be restored.«

Meanwhile, until recently, city authorities planned to buy new trolleybuses to launch them on new routes.

And recently it became known that they want to purchase 90 buses for Rostov. 20 of them are articulated buses. They plan to spend 2.7 billion rubles (about $27 million at current rates) on this.