OREANDA-NEWS. The Mayor of Lviv, Andriy Sadovy, and the EBRD's Country Director for Ukraine, Sevki Acuner, launched a public awareness campaign yesterday for the city's fast tram system.

The project is supported by an investment grant of up to 5 million euros from the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and an EBRD loan of up to 6 million euros. The new system will further contribute to Lviv's transport infrastructure, with a focus on its urban tram network.

In particular, the project will allow the extension of tram route 4, which will link the main residential area of Sykhiv with Lviv's city centre. This extension to Sykhiv, which has a population of over 150,000, is expected to increase passenger volumes on public transport by 25 per cent.

It will improve the reliability and efficiency of ecologically friendly, electric public transport and promote its use, significantly reducing the level of vehicle emissions.

"The fast tram project is a good example of what municipalities can achieve if they work with reputed international financiers like the EBRD," Mr Sadovy said.

"Transparent tenders and financing, good quality of goods and services and their durability - these are key elements, which will make lives of people in Lviv better."

80 per cent of the new route will run through a designated area and will not affect traffic flows, thus minimising the risk of creating congestion. According to initial estimates, the tram ride from Sykhiv to the city centre will take approximately 25 minutes compared with 35-45 minutes for comparable journeys using other public transport.

The project is expected to have a significant demonstration effect for other municipalities across Ukraine that are seeking to modernise their urban transport systems.