Vilnius Continues Public Transport Renewal with Procurement of 145 E-Buses

Vilniaus viešasis transportas (VVT) has announced a public tender for the procurement of 145 new low-floor, city-type electric buses.

According to the tender conditions, the purchase will include four different bus capacities: 8-metre low-capacity low-floor buses, 10-metre medium-capacity low-floor buses, 12-metre two-axle low-floor standard buses, and 18-metre three-axle articulated low-floor buses.

This step forms part of the Vilnius City Municipality’s Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan, which aims to ensure that by 2030 all public transport vehicles will be powered by electricity or alternative fuels.

Simultaneously, Vilnius is preparing for significant changes to its public transport system, having launched the largest passenger transport services tender in the city’s history, with the goal of improving accessibility and quality of transport services.

“Vilniaus viešasis transportas is undergoing rapid modernisation – the new electric buses will enable the city to move more sustainably and efficiently. Lower emissions, quieter journeys, and enhanced comfort are the changes that Vilnius residents expect,” says Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas.

“Investment in this sector is a clear step towards a cleaner and more innovative city,” he adds.

As the Mayor notes, residents expect more frequent, faster, and more reliable public transport.

Therefore, alongside fleet renewal, the route network will be expanded: seven new routes are planned, 44 routes will see increased frequency, and 46 routes will be adjusted.

Public transport in the city centre is expected to operate every 6–10 minutes, and every 15 minutes in outer areas.

The total number of vehicles will increase by 30 per cent, and all will be zero-emission and meet higher standards of comfort and environmental protection.

“Preparations for the new bus procurement began last year – partial funding for the new vehicles has already been secured. These new buses will replace the oldest diesel-powered vehicles,” says VVT CEO Ignas Degutis.

He continues: “This is a consistent part of VVT’s efforts to deliver quality improvements that passengers will notice in their daily commutes.”

The fleet renewal will be implemented gradually, depending on the availability of funding.

The total value of the 145 electric buses is not to exceed 89.05 million euros (excluding VAT), or 97.23 million euros including servicing.

Contracts with the selected suppliers are expected to be signed in the third quarter of this year.

The new zero-emission buses are scheduled to enter service between 2026 and 2027.

Trolleybus Fleet Renewal Also Underway

Vilnius is not only rapidly modernising its bus fleet but is also steadily renewing its trolleybus system.

The final unit — the 91st new “Škoda” trolleybus — has already been delivered to the VVT depot in Viršuliškės, completing the planned fleet.

Currently, 75 new trolleybuses are already transporting passengers in Vilnius, while the remaining 16 will soon be deployed once passenger information and safety systems are installed and registration procedures completed.

The first modern “Škoda 32 Tr” model trolleybuses arrived in the capital in June last year.

After trial runs in August, the first 20 entered service, with the fleet gradually expanding thereafter.

The “Škoda 32 Tr” is one of the most advanced trolleybus models in Europe. It can travel up to 20 km in autonomous mode, allowing drivers to bypass obstacles even in areas without overhead lines.

Moreover, they can operate on routes where no contact line infrastructure is in place.

Once all 91 new trolleybuses are integrated into the public transport system, the first phase of the trolleybus fleet renewal will be complete.

However, the city is not stopping there – the second phase has already begun, during which another 73 new trolleybuses will be procured.

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