Currently, tram trackages are under repair in five important points of Wroclaw: in the north (Żmigrodzka and Zawalna streets), in the centre (the Plac Dominikański square and the Rondo Reagana roundabout) and in the south (the intersection of Piłsudskiego and Świdnicka streets). In July, road workers will enter some other areas, including the tram trackage at ul. Hallera.
Only 4 out of 22 tram lines are operating on their constant routes. The same goes for buses – in 50 out of 72 lines, the route has changed to a smaller or larger extent.
‘We are in the process of signing an agreement for the general renovation of 42 trams for the amount of 135 million zlotys. In fact, renovation is an understatement; trams will change completely both inside and outside. The renovation of one vehicle will cost us around 3-3.5 million zlotys,’ says the Mayor of Wroclaw Jacek Sutryk.
Modertrans from Poznań will handle the general renovation of 25 WroAs205 trams, and SAATZ from Warsaw will successively convert the oldest local Skoda 16T vehicles.
The vehicles will get a brand new body, car skeleton, chassis, roof adapted to the air conditioning system, section connection, collapsible couplers, life guard, sandboxes, driver’s cabin or wheelchair platform. Passengers will certainly feel the difference in hot summer and cold winter. An air conditioning system and a new heating system will be fitted.
On that occasion, information was also passed that a contract for the delivery of 25 new trams to Wroclaw would be signed, most probably by the end of the summer period, with the option of buying further 21 items from the same producer. These tram sets will be delivered by one of Polish companies: Modertrans or Pesa, and the Wroclaw carrier will pay slightly above 200 million PLN for a batch of 25 new vehicles.
Two years for modernisation
Modernisations will be performed within 28 months. Within two years, 17 Skoda 16T vehicles will also be repaired at the cost of 60 million PLN.
