Warsaw to save Kyiv’s metro with donation of Russian-made trains

These were the original carriages used when the Polish capital’s subway was launched in 1995

The Warsaw City Hall is inviting residents to take one final farewell trip on the local metro system’s original trains – the Russian-produced 81 model. This will be possible on Wednesday, 29 March, at Młociny station at 11:50. Afterwards, the trains of that make will be dismantled and sent to Kyiv, where they will continue to serve the local metro network.

In January this year, the Mayor of Warsaw Rafał Trzaskowski met with the mayor of Kyiv, Vitaly Klitschko, and signed a letter of intent regarding the transfer of part of the Warsaw metro rolling stock to the Ukrainian capital.

“In a telephone conversation, even before the meeting, mayor Vitaly Klitschko told me that the Kyiv subway could stop due to the lack of spare parts. Thanks to the fact that we provide Ukraine with older, Russian, but still operational trains - a total of as many as 60 carriages - the Kyiv metro will be able to continue to function. This is a gesture of our solidarity towards our friends from Ukraine,” explained Mayor Trzaskowski.

Russian technology used for good purposes

After the launch of the Warsaw metro in 1995, the trains were three-car, then the trains were extended to four, and finally to six cars. Currently, the Warsaw metro has 22 such trains - including 10 Soviet cars, manufactured in 1989.

In the winter seasons, worn-out metro cars of the 81 series changed into Christmas trains. They also took part in exercises of firemen and anti-terrorist units many times - both at stations and in the tunnels of the Warsaw metro.

As a souvenir, train number 02 will be preserved, which is the only fully configured one from the oldest carriages.

The Ukrainian side will receive the Russian 81 series carriages free of charge - in total it will be 60 cars worth over PLN 40 million (about 8.5 million euros). The Kyiv Metro has completed the tender procedure for the selection of a company that will transport the wagons, plus they have taken care of details, such as insurance.