From Lille Metropole to Mykolaiv: giving tram trains a second life in Ukraine

As part of the renewal of its tram fleet, Lille Metropole will donate 23 former Breda tram trains to the Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv. 

With new Citadis trains expected to enter service in autumn 2026, this initiative will give the older trams a second life while helping maintain public transport services in a city heavily affected by the war in Ukraine.

Supporting Mykolaiv through European solidarity

Since the beginning of the war, Mykolaiv has faced significant challenges in maintaining its rolling stock, particularly due to difficulties in sourcing spare parts, some of which previously came from Russia. 

The donation of the 23 tram trains forms part of Lille Metropole’s broader commitment to international cooperation and solidarity with Ukraine, supporting the continuity of public transport services in Mykolaiv.

The 23 tram trains have been fully depreciated for three years and would otherwise be dismantled. Their donation will give them a second life, helping Mykolaiv maintain its public transport services while promoting the reuse of existing rolling stock.

The city of Mykolaiv will organise and cover the costs of transporting the trams from Lille Metropole’s depot to Ukraine. The transfers will take place gradually as the Breda trains are withdrawn from service and replaced by the new Citadis fleet.

As Lille Metropole President Éric Skyronka emphasised, international cooperation and European solidarity are central to the metropolitan authority’s identity. The donation reflects Lille Metropole’s commitment to strengthening cooperation between European territories, fostering closer ties between communities and supporting the Ukrainian people through concrete acts of solidarity.