Rustam Minnikhanov and Ilsur Metshin look round the new MAZ-303T22 trolleybuses of the third generation

Thirty-nine new MAZ-303T22 trolleybuses of the third generation were delivered to Kazan. This new transport will start operating on eight main city routes shortly.

The new model will operate only in Kazan and was purchased with the support of the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov and SberLeasing company.

The MAZ-303T22 trolleybuses were designed based on the MAZ-303 bus. By increasing the length to 12.43 meters, the ride became much smoother, similar to that of intercity buses. The width remained the same at 2.55 meters. Low-floor access can be lowered from 320 to 250 cm.

The trolleybus is equipped with parts from Belarus, Russia, and China, and is powered by an asynchronous air-cooled engine. The windows area has increased by over 33%, and many exterior finishing details are made of fiberglass and aluminum.

The vehicle can carry up to 90 passengers at a time, with a total of 34 seats available. Each seat has a USB connector next to it. Four fare validators have been installed on the handrails of the vehicle. In the cabin and driver's cab, there are four stoves and air conditioners with a capacity of 30 kW each. For disabled passengers there are buttons to notify the driver, as well as a folding ramp. There is also a sound and light indicator for the door opening. LED lighting elements are used throughout the vehicle.

The safety of passengers will be ensured by continuous monitoring devices for leakage currents and an automatic fire protection system on board the trolleybus. The vehicle is equipped with a self-monitoring system for the state of the contact network and navigation, as well as inside and outside video surveillance.

The driver's cab features an adjustable dashboard with an onboard computer, which can be adjusted in terms of height and angle. The controls for the display, doors, information systems, and stop brakes are all located on a multi-function steering wheel.

After testing, modern vehicles will replace the 2013 models that have reached the end of their service life on city routes. Sixty-four new trolleybuses, including 25 of the latest models, will operate in the city.

«About 700,000 trips are made daily on public transportation in the city, and this became possible after maintaining the rolling stock. This year, 39 trolleybuses and 127 buses were updated – a great number», – Ildar Shakirov, Deputy Head of the City's Executive Committee, said.

Metroelectrotrans owns 185 trolleybuses. The next update of electric vehicles is planned in two to three years when the lifespan of other rolling stock units ends.