A five-section tram was recently launched in Yekaterinburg, becoming the longest in Russia. Officially, it is called Model 71-665 Arktur and was developed at the Ust-Katav Wagon-Building Plant. However, in the city, it was unofficially named "80 Years of Victory". Details have emerged.
The tram has eight axles and a length of 39.5 meters. It consists of four "accordions" and six doors on each side, providing convenient access for passengers. The tram was assembled on-site and took only a week. After that, it was tested at night on the streets of Yekaterinburg.
The first and fifth sections of the tram are identical to the Polaris cars, while the second and fourth sections have become serial. The middle suspended section has no wheelsets and is a completely new development. The tram can accommodate up to 406 passengers, of which 72 seats are for seating, and there are also two places for people with limited mobility.
The new tram features an attractive design, made in the corporate colors of EMUP Gortrans. The double-cabin design allows it to be used on routes without turning loops, although there are no such routes in Yekaterinburg. Currently, the tram runs on route No. 18, which also has turning loops. However, in some places where the platforms are not long enough, the last door is blocked, which creates some inconvenience for passengers.
According to experts, the new tram is ideal for working during peak hours on busy routes. It may be useful on future routes without turning loops. However, some citizens believe that instead of one long tram, it is better to launch two shorter ones to reduce the intervals between them.
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