Traffic on the first stage of the Slavyanka tram line has been opened

On December 24, 2025, the ceremonial launch of the first stage of the Slavyanka tram line took place at the Balkansky final stop near Kupchino metro station. The event was attended by the Governor of St. Petersburg, Alexander Beglov. Today, the regular movement of trams of route number "2" began on the first stage, from Kupchino metro station to Valdai Street in Shushary and in the opposite direction.
"The launch of the Slavyanka tram line is a qualitatively new stage in the development of public transport in the south of St. Petersburg and throughout the city. We are implementing the project as part of one of the key priorities of St. Petersburg until 2030 - "Convenient public transport". We are modernizing the transport infrastructure so that movement around the city is as comfortable and accessible as possible for every resident," Alexander Beglov emphasized.
Before driving along the route, the Governor inspected the new depot in Shushary, which will serve Slavyanka. The head of the city was presented with a control room where all tram traffic is coordinated, and a repair area where cars undergo daily maintenance.
"The launch of the Slavyanka tram line is an indicator of a successful partnership between the government and business. This project is one of the largest in Russia for the construction of urban light rail transport infrastructure, implemented as part of a public-private partnership. The total investment is over 50 billion rubles. The project has a great socio-economic effect – it contributes to the gross regional product, increases the number of jobs and improves the quality of life of St. Petersburg residents," said the Governor.
The first stage of Slavyanka is characterized by the absence of intersections with major highways, which helps to reduce congestion and reduce the negative impact on the environment.
The line is equipped with modern low-floor wagons manufactured by the Nevsky Electric Transport Plant named after F.A. Pirotsky, designed for simultaneous transportation of up to 247 passengers. 10 trams are used to organize traffic on the first stage: seven on weekdays, six on weekends, and three in reserve.
During the construction of the first stage, three aboveground artificial structures with a total length of almost three kilometers were erected — two overpasses over Vitebsk Avenue and the Ring Road, as well as a bridge over the Volkovka River. There will be a total of seven artificial structures on the line.
For the first time in Russia, a complex track structure was made for a tram line at the final remaining point "Balkansky" — a tram cross switch exit in the form of an "envelope". The total length of the transfer is 23 meters.
The fare on the Slavyanka line is no higher than the fare on public transport.
It should be recalled that the permit for the commissioning of the first stage of the tram network along the Kupchino metro station - Shushary – Slavyanka settlement route, including the line from Balkan Square to Shushary Road and the depot with access roads, was issued by Gosstroynadzor on December 8, 2025.
At the second stage of the construction of the line from the tram depot to the MKR. The reconstruction of the Slavyanka and Kuzminka riverbeds and the construction of two bridges have already been completed. Work on the installation of metal structures for the overpass superstructure across the railway tracks of the Vitebsk direction of the Oktyabrskaya Railway and the Children's Railway has been completed, and the concrete slab of the carriageway is being concreted. A terminal pavilion has been built in Slavyanka. A tram line is being built on Podbelsky Highway, Toropetskaya and Severskaya streets. On Toropetskaya Street, the main construction and installation work will begin next year after the reconstruction of Lenenergo's networks. A noise-proof screen has already been installed in the area of the kindergarten on Toropetskaya Street. Upon completion of the construction work, a contact network will be installed and electricity will be supplied. In accordance with the terms of the concession agreement, the planned completion dates for the second stage are up to md. Slavyanka is the end of 2026.
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The concession agreement between the city and the project operator, BaltNedvizhService LLC, was concluded in 2019 for a period of 30 years, up to 2049.
The Slavyanka tram line project consists of two phases: investment and operational. The project provides for the construction of a tram line with a length of more than 21 km, including three bridges, four overpasses, a tram depot, bus shelters, passenger-friendly terminal stops, as well as the purchase of 22 modern low-floor trams.
On June 19, 2025, on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, an agreement of intent was signed between St. Petersburg and ABZ-Dorstroy JSC, part of the ABZ-1 group of companies, to create and operate a tram line along the Slavyanka – Tsarskoye Selo Railway Station – St. Petersburg State University Campus – Innovative Scientific-Nevsky Delta Technology Center. The implementation of the project will make it possible to organize transport links between the planned St. Petersburg State University campus and the innovative scientific and technological center Nevsky Delta, the direct connection of the Slavyanka microdistrict with the St. Petersburg metro, as well as the connection of residential buildings with the Tsarskoye Selo and Detskoselskaya railway stations.