Kiev metro to replace 40% of rolling stock with EIB loan

MOSCOW. Oct 25 (Interfax) - The Kiev Metro utility company will receive a loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to replace and upgrade 40% of the subway system's rolling stock, Ukrainian media outlets said, citing a statement made by the company's head Viktor Braginsky on social media.

A total of 220 metro cars will be overhauled and 95 new ones in line with modern-day requirements, will be purchased as part of the project, which costs 450 million euros based on tentative estimates, Braginsky said.

"Eighty percent of Kiev metro trains date back to Soviet times," he said. The equipment and components that are necessary for their maintenance are produced in Russia and consequently cannot be acquired, Braginsky said.

As reported earlier, the Kiev Metro company received another six trains from Polish colleagues as part of technical assistance.