Press releases

MINSK, 19 January (BelTA) – The electric buses presented by China’s Hunan Province have entered passenger service in Mogilev. The buses were handed over to the Belarusian city as it celebrated the 750th anniversary, BelTA has learned.

A ceremony to welcome the Chinese buses was attended by Mogilev Oblast Deputy Governor Viktor Nekrashevich, Mogilev Mayor Vladimir Tsumarev, and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of China to Belarus Cui Qiming.

According to the latter, the arrival of Chinese electric buses on Mogilev streets is another proof of Belarus-China fast-developing cooperation. “Our relations have been expanding in all strategic fields. Interaction between our regions, including between Hunan Province and Mogilev Oblast, stands out in this context. It is based on mutual respect and mutual benefit. Mogilev-made milk has already hit the shelves in Hunan Province. We see enormous potential for boosting cooperation and we will make every effort from our part to do this,” the diplomat emphasized.

Although Hunan Province and Mogilev Oblast signed a long-term cooperation agreement only in 2016, the sides have achieved a lot since then, Viktor Nekrashevich remarked. The Belarusian region has been implementing a number of joint projects with Chinese partners, including a strategic project with Zoomlion to produce special vehicles. “We hope for strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation with China and filling the existing agreements with specific projects to contribute to the region’s economic development,” the official pointed out.

Guests of honor and Mogilev youths were the first to test the new electric buses. The low-floor 12-meter-long vehicles have already got their own names: Hunan and Mogilev. They will serve trolley route 4. The electric buses are expected to cover 167 kilometers in one shift. The vehicles can ride around 250 kilometers on one charge. They will be operated by the local trolley workers – winners of a contest for drivers of category D.

According to the results of the test drive, the trolleybus fleet will save up from 30% to 35% of electricity. “This is but the first step towards improving transport communication and passenger services in Mogilev. We are now considering buying Belkommunmash electric buses. We will gradually shift towards more modern kinds of transport. Moreover, they do not require additional infrastructure in new residential areas of the city,” Vladimir Tsumarev said.