Osijek gets new trams after more than four decades

(Patria) - The procurement of 10 new low-floor trams, worth 25 million euros, is part of historic investments in Osijek's public transport, which will continue with the procurement of another 10 trams whose delivery is expected by July 2027, it was said yesterday at the project's final conference.

Osijek's Deputy Mayor Dragan Vulin reminded that the project for the procurement of the first ten trams was co-financed with 20 million euros from non-repayable funds from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NPOO).

He emphasized that an additional ten trams will be procured within the EU program "Competitiveness and Cohesion", so with a total of 20 new trams, all needs for this type of public transport will be fully met.

- At times of greatest traffic load on city streets, we have 18 trams, so we will also have two in reserve, and the new trams will raise the quality of service for citizens to a higher level - assessed Vulin.

He also reminded that the modernization project of the city's tram infrastructure, worth 45 million euros, is nearing completion, and with the procurement of 20 new low-floor trams, worth around 50 million euros, this amounts to 95 million euros invested in public transport.

He emphasizes that one of the future projects in this area is the construction of a new depot, whose value is estimated at 80 million euros, and the conceptual design is underway, as well as an analysis of possible funding sources.

The director of Osijek's Public Passenger Transport (GPP), Darjan Rudan, points out that with the completed project, new trams have arrived in Osijek for the first time in more than 40 years, and all ten trams have been delivered.

- We are only halfway there and expect all remaining new trams to arrive by July 2027, which will fully meet all tram transport needs in Osijek - added Rudan.