Belarus: In late 2025, the Belarusian government approved the Transport of Belarus state programme for 2026–2030 with funding of BYN 7.8 bln ($2.6 bln). The programme includes provision for renewing the fleet of railway and urban rail transport.
Railway transport
A substantial portion of the funding—BYN 3 bln ($1 bln)—has been allocated for the railway transport. The country’s Ministry of Transport is tasked with delivering these measures. Of this, BYN 1.7 bln ($0.57 bln) is earmarked for rolling stock fleet renewal through 2030, comprising BYN 1.6 bln ($0.54 bln) in loan financing and the balance from the national budget.
The expected outcome is a reduction in rolling stock wear of at least 3%. Specific procurement volumes for rolling stock itself have not been disclosed.
Open data on the country’s current locomotive fleet is hard to come by. According to OSJD figures, the Belarusian Railway (BR) had an average daily fleet of around 730 operational electric and diesel locomotives in 2023. Belarus has no domestic locomotive production and therefore procures them from other countries. Recent news reported a contract to procure TEM18DM shunting locomotives from Russia’s TMH.
In 2025, the multiple-unit fleet stood at 196 trainsets — 81 EMUs and 115 DMUs. Recent fleet renewals have come through procurements of Stadler EMUs and Pesa DMUs. More reports are emerging of these units being withdrawn for maintenance. In 2024, joint assembly with Russia was announced for study, while in 2025, a new contract for 65 Stadler EMUs was reported but denied by the manufacturer itself. Previously, Stadler’s Fanipol plant handled multiple-unit production for BR needs.
Minsk Wagon Repair Plant’s 61-911M passenger coach. Source: belrailway/vk
According to OSJD data, the country’s passenger coach fleet, including luggage and service coaches, totalled around 2,600 units of various types at end-2023. There has been no recent news of significant BR passenger fleet renewal with new rolling stock; operations have focused mainly on heavy overhaul and restoration repairs. Meanwhile, Gomel Wagon Works claims capability to produce new wagons using TMH kits, while Minsk Wagon Repair Plant uses wagon kits from Tashkent Passenger Car Construction and Repair Plant.
At the start of 2025, Belarusian freight wagon fleet totalled 47,000 units, of which 25,000 were in BR’s fleet. Today, two plants produce freight rolling stock in the country — Mogilev Wagon Works and Osipovichy Transport Engineering Plant. ROLLINGSTOCK analysts estimate that in 2025 they produced around 2,700 freight wagons, taking into account those ordered in Russia.
The programme includes measures for railway infrastructure electrification and modernisation. BYN 1.3 bln ($0.44 bln) is earmarked for these purposes. One of the most notable projects will be the Minsk to Minsk National Airport line, scheduled for launch in 2028. It will receive BYN 625.3 mln ($212 mln) in funding. The route will span 41.8 km, with EMUs covering the distance in 30 minutes.
LRVs
For road and urban passenger transport, BYN 4.4 bln ($1.5 bln) has been allocated. These activities will be overseen by the national Ministry of Transport, regional executive committees, and Minsk city authorities. For renewing the road and urban electric transport fleet, BYN 3.6 bln ($1.22 bln) is planned, of which BYN 2.4 bln ($0.81 bln) is earmarked for the capital of the country.
At least 8% of the fleet of road transport and LRVs for public use is to be renewed annually. By 2030, overall fleet wear is targeted to fall by 4%. Under the previous programme (2021–2025), the fleet has already been augmented by 2,768 new buses, trolleybuses, e-buses, and tram and metro cars.
Minsk Metro will receive particular attention, with its rolling stock renewal continuing. Construction of the second section of the Zelenoluzhskaya Line is scheduled for completion by 2031. BYN 573.2 mln ($194 mln) is to be allocated for these works. In recent years, Russia’s TMH has supplied metro cars for the route, having already delivered 11 Minsk 2024 trainsets and receiving an order for three more in 2026.
Design work is also beginning on Minsk Metro’s fourth (circle) line, which is expected to enter service in 2040. BYN 56.1 mln ($19 mln) has been budgeted for project activities through 2030.
Tram production at BKM Holding. Source: Nikolay Petrov/BELTA
Additionally, the Novopolotsk tram network expansion project merits mention. Implementation is scheduled for 2026–2030 with BYN 84.4 mln ($28 mln) in loan funding. Currently, the city runs 12 trams built locally by BKM Holding between 1992 and 2014, plus 13 wagons from Ust-Katav Car-Building Plant dating from 1973 to 1988.
According to an express assessment, four tram systems of the country—in Minsk, Vitebsk, Mozyr, and Novopolotsk—house around 300 trams in total. National producer BKM Holding states it could output up to 360 trams per year if dedicated solely to them, though the plant is traditionally prioritised for wheeled vehicles such as trolleybuses and e-buses.
