A new electric vessel has been assembled in Moscow to provide a reliable and eco-friendly river transport option in the Russian capital.
The new ‘river tram’ will be tested throughout the winter to ensure it can operate in all seasons, with local temperatures ranging from -25 to +40 degrees Celsius.
The City of Moscow plans to launch 9 of the electric vessels throughout 2022, with this number set to rise to 21 within the next two years.
Each ‘river tram’ will be able to carry 50 people. The vessels will be equipped with two electric engines and will be charged at each stop to save time between voyages and maintain efficient headways.
The first electric river vessel has been named Sinichka (a Tomtit), as voted by the majority of Moscow citizens. Five options were available, each coinciding with the names of Moscow rivers: Setun, Zhuzha, Yauza, Sinichka, and Neglinka.
Maksim Liksutov, the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport, said:The Moscow Mayor has set the task to develop eco-friendly types of transport, so we immediately decided that river trams would be electric. In addition, the electric river vessels will operate all year round and passengers will be able to choose a faster route along the river even in winter. We believe that thanks to these advantages, the new river transport for Moscow will be one of the best among world analogues.
