Ufa high-speed tram construction is discussed again in Bashkiria

UFA, 26 September 2017. /Bashinform News Agency, Alfiya Agliullina/. The issue of a high-speed tram construction in Ufa was commented on by Timur Mukhametianov, the chairman of the State Committee of Bashkortostan for Transport and Road Facilities in an interview with the Transport Rossii newspaper.

According to him, unlike the underground railway, a land light rail, or high-speed tram, is cheaper in its implementation. A few years ago, when that issue was first discussed, the project cost was estimated at 1.5-2 billion rubles. By today, its value has increased significantly and already reaches 6-7 billion rubles.

"We are currently working on the implementation of the project, considering the models that are possible for implementation in Ufa. By the end of the year, we will prepare three model proposals for approval by the leadership of the republic. It is clear that the implementation of such a project, as a high-speed tram, will require substantial investment. No regional budget can withstand such a burden. Therefore, the State Committee for Transport RB is considering a possibility of cooperating with the Russian Direct Investment Fund, the State Transport Leasing Company, as well as foreign investment funds. There are some ideas, instructions, we are working out the mechanism", the head of the State Committee said.