New equipment, but old infrastructure: how old contact networks can ruin new trolleybuses in Ternopil and reduce the effect of investments

18 February 2026, Poglyad

“Despite large-scale financial support from the EIB, transport modernization projects are implemented with delays and focus mainly on the purchase of equipment without proper infrastructure development and strategic planning. This reduces the long-term effect for cities,” says Kateryna Melnyk, a specialist in greening investments at Ecoaction and an expert at CEE Bankwatch Network.

For the city, this means that the appearance of new trolleybuses by itself does not solve all the problems of the system. Without the modernization of networks and depots, the risk of technical limitations, interruptions in operation and additional costs in the future increases.

As Kateryna Melnyk emphasizes, in order for international loans to work more efficiently, it is necessary to finance transport comprehensively together with infrastructure, as well as reduce delays in the approval and implementation of projects.

Read the full article (in Ukrainian) here: New equipment, but old infrastructure: how old catenary networks can ruin new trolleybuses in Ternopil and reduce the effect of investments – VZGLYAD