Redundant city selects buyer for eco-friendly buses in Krasnoyarsk
In the heart of Siberia, Krasnoyarsk, the results of a public transport upgrade are in. A major bank group's company will provide leasing services for 150 eco-friendly, gas-powered buses. The decision was made on June 23, with bids announced back in summer.
The winning contender will acquire eco-friendly, large-scale buses for the city over two phases, through a financial leasing agreement. The first batch of 85 buses is to arrive by October 15, 2025, with the second batch following by November 30, 2025. The contract will remain valid till the end of September 2030.
The specifications for the buses have been clearly stated: they must have a minimum length of 12 meters, a width of at least 2.5 meters, and a height of at least 2.8 meters. Their environmental class should be a minimum of 5, and they must run on gas-powered engines (methane) and have been manufactured no earlier than 2025. While the partnering manufacturers are yet to be confirmed, potential suppliers include NEFASH, Maz, and "VolgaBAS".
Two applications were submitted for the tender. The participants, AO "Sberbank Leasing" and AO "Gazprombank Leasing", presented competitive offers, reducing prices nearly down to the same level, by approximately 1.1 billion rubles. The first company was declared the winner, purchasing the buses for around 3.57 billion rubles.
It's worth mentioning that the city council is planning to subsidize lease payments up to over 5.3 billion rubles until 2030.
The contractor for the auction is AO "KPATP No7", which is planning a significant overhaul to accommodate the new buses. As a reminder, a tender for compressed natural gas (CNG) has already been announced, for a sum of 1.228 billion rubles. The gas supply contract was concluded in mid-May with OOO "Regaz Service" from Saint Petersburg for 761 million rubles.
Get ready to see these blue buses hit the streets of Krasnoyarsk soon!
[Image: Krasnoyarsk government, tender documents]
As for the potential suppliers, various domestic and international manufacturers might be in the running. Several Russian manufacturers with experience in eco-friendly bus production could be involved, such as (but not limited to):
- KAMAZA prominent Russian manufacturer, KAMAZ has been successfully supplying new-generation electric buses to major cities, taking into account Russian urban conditions and incorporating reinforced structures and advanced climate systems[1][5].
- GAZ Group (LiAZ brand)Part of GAZ Group, LiAZ is another established Russian producer involved in the supply of electric buses. They have demonstrated a strong track record in both manufacturing and servicing electric buses for public transport[5].
- Trolza (PC Transport Systems)Well-known for their expertise in electric transport solutions, Trolza is particularly active in the production of trolleybuses and battery-electric vehicles[5]. They have delivered vehicles to various Russian cities and could become strong candidates for eco-friendly bus contracts.
- Drive ElectroActive in both electric bus and truck manufacturing, Drive Electro could also be a contender for future electric bus supply in Krasnoyarsk. Their focus on battery production and vehicle manufacturing for both domestic and export markets make them a strong candidate[3][5].
Of course, international manufacturers, such as Volvo Buses or Daimler Buses, might also be considered if there are no restrictions on foreign procurement, depending on local policy and technical requirements[2][4]. However, recent large-scale procurements in Russia have predominantly focused on domestic producers.
In the coming years, news headlines in Krasnoyarsk might feature updates on the arrival of blue buses from both domestic and international manufacturers such as KAMAZ, GAZ Group (LiAZ brand), Trolza (PC Transport Systems), Drive Electro, Volvo Buses, or Daimler Buses. As the city prepares for the introduction of sports-efficient, eco-friendly, gas-powered buses, weather conditions will play a critical role in ensuring their optimal performance during Winter months.
