The completion of deliveries of the "MiNiN" trams to Nizhny Novgorod is an event of August 2026, when all 170 new-generation tram cars were delivered to the region as part of a program to upgrade the city's electric public transport.[1] The program has been recognized as the most ambitious of its kind among non-capital Russian cities.[2]

Composition of the Delivery and Production

As part of the public transport development program, Nizhny Novgorod received 144 standard-class cars and 26 extra-large-class cars.[3] The final three cars arrived at the end of August 2026.[2]

Serial production of trams and electric buses under the "MiNiN" brand was organized by LLC "JV Nizhekoтrans" as part of a cooperation agreement between the Nizhny Novgorod Region and the Republic of Belarus. Serial production of the cars is based in Vorsma — a city in the Nizhny Novgorod Region, where the joint Russian-Belarusian manufacturing plant is located.[4][5] The cars feature a modern design that takes into account the needs of all categories of passengers, including those with limited mobility. Road trials of the "MiNiN" tram began in January 2023: the first test section was a renovated stretch of line along Sormovskoe Highway to the "Varya" station, where 2.2 km of track had been replaced in late 2022; specialists from the state enterprise "Nizhegorodelectrotrans", the manufacturing plant, and the Nizhny Novgorod Region government participated in the trials.[4][2] The name "MiNiN" simultaneously symbolizes the cooperation between Minsk and Nizhny Novgorod and is a reference to the native of the Nizhny Novgorod land, one of the leaders of the People's Militia of 1612, the national hero Kuzma Minin.[3]

Modernization of the Tram Infrastructure

Alongside the delivery of railcars, the city is carrying out replacement of tram tracks — nearly 150 km in single-track terms.[3] By August 2026, more than 120 of the 149 km of track had been replaced.[2] Work in the Upper Town of Nizhny Novgorod is complete; in the Zarechka area it is planned to be finished in 2027.[5] On the upgraded sections, travel speeds on certain routes increased by 64%, and passenger traffic grew by 32%.[2]

The programme is being implemented under the national project Infrastructure for Life.[2]

Production Outlook

At a working meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, held on 28 August 2026 Nizhny Novgorod Yarmarka, Nizhny Novgorod Region Governor Gleb Nikitin reported on the fulfilment of the tram renewal plan.[3] Putin inquired about the prospects for retaining the enterprise's workforce after the completion of the Nizhny Novgorod order.[2] Nikitin stated that the region intends to offer "MiNiN" trams and electric buses to other regions of Russia, and is also developing a prospective line of wheeled public transport.[5]

Sources

  1. Живём в Нижнем — Gleb Nikitin reported to Vladimir Putin on the completion of the tram fleet renewal plan — Zhivem v Nizhnem (archive)
  2. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" — Nizhny Novgorod has completed the delivery of all 170 new "MiNiN" trams (archive)
  3. Vremya N — Nikitin: the tram renewal plan in Nizhny Novgorod has been fulfilled (archive)
  4. nizhny800.ru — Nizhny800 / The new Nizhny Novgorod tram "MiNiN" has begun road trials — Serial production of "MiNiN" cars is organized in Vorsma — a city in Nizhny Novgorod Region, where…
  5. Newsroom24 — Nikitin reported to Putin on the completion of tram fleet renewal in Nizhny Novgorod (archive)