First three-section "MiNiN" tram began trial runs on Nizhny Novgorod's routes 6 and 7

On April 1, 2025, the first three-section T856 "MiNiN" tram began operational testing on routes 6 and 7 in Nizhny Novgorod, as reported by LLC "Ecological Projects."

The trial runs are required under tramcar certification procedures and commenced after passing a technical safety inspection. Testing is being conducted on the city's most heavily used routes, where these trams are planned to operate regularly. All certification activities are carried out under the supervision and methodologies approved by the Urban Electric Transport Research Institute.

The tram is undergoing several days of testing without passengers to evaluate all operational characteristics, verify system readiness, and ensure infrastructure compatibility, including clearance compliance. Notably, the tram has a capacity of over 260 passengers, with 61 seated spaces.

"Part of the tram is manufactured in Belarus, while another portion is produced at our Russian-Belarusian plant 'Nizhekotrans' in Vorsma. The model is low-floor, equipped with air conditioning, wheelchair spaces, ramps, bicycle storage, and USB ports—everything needed for a comfortable ride. Operating the tram is also convenient thanks to specialized sensors that display real-time data, such as turn angles, on the driver's screen," explained Yevgeny Grabovsky, Director of LLC "Ecological Projects."

A total of 26 such trams will be delivered to Nizhny Novgorod as part of the concession agreement for comprehensive tram infrastructure modernization.

Background:

LLC "Ecological Projects," a subsidiary of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Development Corporation, is responsible for modernizing the city's tram network under a concession agreement signed with the regional government in fall 2022.