UrBC, Yekaterinburg, October 7, 2015. New-generation trams are now cruising the streets of Yekaterinburg, the city council reports.

There will be two trams on Route 18 (VIZ to Shartash Station through Kirov St, Dolores Ibárruri St, Verkh-Isetsky Boulevard, Kommunarov Square, Lenin Ave, Gagarin St, and Blücher St).

The 407 tram is a new make with lowered floor in the middle. The low-floor section makes up 39% of the tram’s premises. So far, the first passengers have complained about the relatively high steps at the front- and back-section entrances and rather steep slopes between the low-floor and regular-floor sections of the tram. The tram is fit for 190 people, with only 27 seats, however.

The other tram make is fit for 210 people, with 47 seats. This one has special locations for wheelchairs and a ramp in the central door section to ensure easy access for people with disabilities and parents with baby prams.

The trial run of the trams was the city council’s idea. The authorities would like to see how efficient these trams prove on the job and to assess its actual performance.