Almaty plans to purchase new trolleybuses and build an LRT to Talgar
At a briefing by the Regional Communications Service, Deputy Akim of Almaty Serik Kusainov spoke about the modernization of the trolleybus fleet and the launch of a project for the construction of a light rail transport from the megapolis to Talgar in 2022.
It is worth noting, that the construction of light rail transport has been discussed for a long time; it is included in the general plan for the development of the metropolis.
S. Kusainov noted, that trolleybuses are highly respected among Almaty residents. The city needs this type of transport, but in an updated version. The promise to renew the Almatylektrotrans park will be fulfilled.
According to the deputy akim, the last time trolleybuses for Almaty were purchased in 2012. Currently, there are 215 units running around the city, of which 34 trolleybuses are planned to be decommissioned.
- Today the trolleybus fleet serves nine routes with a total output of 165 vehicles. The monthly passenger flow is about 2.5 million people, - S. Kusainov said.
He also noted, that local executive bodies are considering the possibility of acquiring 190 new trolleybuses at the expense of a bank loan, which will be repaid by AET.
At the same time, more than 41 kilometers of existing cables on the route of trolleybuses were replaced in the city, as well as over 600 new supports were installed, and 172 kilometers of the contact network were reconstructed. These works were carried out for the smooth operation of trolley buses.
In August 2021, the replacement of overhead trolleybus networks along Seifullin Street from Vokzal-1(Trainstation-1) to Raiymbek Avenue began. Today, work is underway on this site to install brackets for these contact networks. Also, the replacement of contact networks on Auezov street from Gogol st. to Timiryazev st. The project completion date is 2022.
S. Kusainov also spoke about the start of the construction of an LRT along the upper Talgar highway in 2022. He said that there is already a potential investor with whom relevant negotiations are underway.
- Due to the fact, that the main part of the railway lines will pass through the territory of the Almaty region, it was decided to involve responsible persons in the negotiation process from the akimat of the Almaty region, - said the deputy akim of the city. - The project is very large-scale, many issues need to be worked out. The volume of investments, the timing of the project will be known based on the results of the feasibility study of the project.
At present, a potential investor has begun developing a feasibility study for the project.