EU-Backed Investment Delivers Modern Trolleybuses to Ivano-Frankivsk, Strengthening Urban Resilience Amid War

In a significant boost to urban mobility and resilience during wartime, the western Ukrainian city of Ivano-Frankivsk has introduced a fleet of modern, energy-efficient trolleybuses funded through more than €3.6 million in European Union support.

The city has deployed nine new low-floor trolleybuses, financed through a €3 million loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) alongside a €615,000 EU grant provided to the Ivano-Frankivsk City Council. The vehicles entered service in April, marking a key milestone in efforts to maintain reliable public transport as Ukraine endures the fifth year of Russia's full-scale invasion.

Keeping Cities Moving Under Pressure

With a population exceeding 200,000, Ivano-Frankivsk—like many Ukrainian cities—faces mounting challenges in sustaining essential services amid ongoing conflict, energy disruptions, and economic strain. Public transport remains a lifeline for residents, ensuring access to workplaces, schools, healthcare facilities, and critical services.

"Across Ukraine, cities are under pressure," said EIB Vice-President Karl Nehammer. "Reliable public transport is essential for daily life and resilience. These new trolleybuses will help Ivano-Frankivsk stay connected and keep basic services accessible."

The investment underscores the strategic importance of urban mobility in crisis conditions, where disruptions to transport networks can have cascading impacts on economic activity and social stability.

Accessible, Inclusive and Passenger-Centric Design

The newly introduced trolleybuses are designed with accessibility and comfort at their core. Featuring low-floor entry, they significantly improve mobility for elderly passengers, people with disabilities, and parents with strollers—groups often most affected during times of crisis.

EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarína Mathernová highlighted the tangible impact of the investment on everyday life.

"This project shows in a very practical way what EU support under the Ukraine Facility means for Ukrainians," she said. "For the people of Ivano-Frankivsk, these new trolleybuses mean better and more accessible transport, especially for vulnerable groups, safer streets and cleaner air."

In addition to accessibility, the vehicles are equipped with:

• Air-conditioning systems for improved passenger comfort

• Real-time information displays for better journey planning

• Low-noise electric engines, reducing urban noise pollution

• Energy-efficient systems that lower operational costs and emissions

Hybrid Flexibility Enhances Network Resilience

One of the most innovative features of the new fleet is its dual-mode capability. While operating as traditional trolleybuses on electrified routes, the vehicles can also run independently on battery power for up to 15 kilometres.

This flexibility allows:

• Expansion of routes into underserved neighbourhoods without overhead wiring

• Continued operation during power outages or infrastructure damage

• Reduced need for costly network expansion

"These trolleybuses give us much more flexibility," said Elektroavtotrans Director Vitalii Holutiak. "Where the network ends, they continue on battery power. This means we can extend routes without building costly new infrastructure and keep services running even during disruptions."

Such adaptability is particularly critical in Ukraine's current context, where energy infrastructure remains vulnerable to attacks.

Supporting Local Industry and Sustainable Growth

The trolleybuses have been manufactured in Ukraine, providing a boost to domestic industry at a time when economic resilience is paramount. By combining international financing with local production, the project delivers both immediate mobility benefits and longer-term economic support.

Mayor Ruslan Martsinkiv emphasized the broader vision behind the initiative.

"These are modern trolleybuses designed with people in mind," he said. "They offer a cleaner and more convenient way for our residents to travel, while allowing us to expand routes and build a more sustainable public transport system."

Part of a Nationwide Modernisation Effort

The Ivano-Frankivsk project forms part of a larger national programme to modernise public transport across Ukraine. Backed by a €200 million EIB loan and €3.5 million in EU technical assistance, the initiative spans multiple cities, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Lviv, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, and Mykolaiv.

The programme is coordinated by Ukraine's Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories and aims to:

• Upgrade aging transport fleets

• Improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions

• Enhance accessibility and service reliability

• Strengthen urban resilience in the face of ongoing conflict

A Symbol of Continuity and Resilience

As Ukraine continues to navigate the challenges of war, investments like this highlight the role of international partnerships in sustaining critical infrastructure and supporting everyday life.

Beyond their functional role, the new trolleybuses represent a broader message: that even in times of crisis, cities can continue to modernize, adapt, and move forward.