Belarusian Belkommunmash rolls out cutting-edge tram

Developed by the Minsk-based mechanical engineering company Belkommunmash, a cutting-edge experimental tram went into service in the Belarusian city of Novopolotsk on 9 February, BelTA has learned.

According to Yelena Tsikhelashvili, a representative of the Novopolotsk city tram depot, such trams have not been used in Belarus up till now. After a lengthy period of startup and commissioning effort the latest model of the one-section semi-low-floor tram went to service the city's only tram route. The model is expected to become the foundation of electric rail transport of Belarus in addition to providing respectable export contracts for Belkommunmash.

The new model BKM-802 is an affordable alternative to the three-section large-capacity rapid tram BKM-843. The new model is designed for use in towns and cities with small passenger traffic. The tram is 15.5m long and can transport 165 people at a time: standing room for 137 people, 28 seats, including four seats for passengers with limited mobility.

Yelena Tsikhelashvili said: “There is electronics everywhere inside. There are synchronized visual and sound information systems for passengers, a thermal regulator in the passenger compartment and an air conditioner in the driver compartment. The tram uses LED lamps. The low-floor design makes boarding easy. The tram can accelerate fast and brake smoothly. We will have to see how it will work during actual service, particularly in the first three years covered by the warranty. This tram in addition to two more trams will be used to service the line in daytime”.

The Novopolotsk tram depot has a total of 31 trams, with nine used simultaneously during rush hours. Three trams are sufficient to service the line the rest of the day.