Bucharest launches tender for 79 new trams worth 1.4 billion lei

A 1.4 billion lei tender

Bucharest's general mayor, Ciprian Ciucu, announced on Thursday, 5 November 2026, that the city has launched an international procedure to buy 79 new trams for the capital's public transport. The estimated value of the contract is 1,404,891,774 lei excluding VAT, and bids must be submitted by 10 December 2026. HotNews puts the figure at almost 300 million euro. According to the mayor, the trams will be bought under two projects: the modernisation of Bucharest's tram system and the extension of the tram network along Prelungirea Ghencea.

In a Facebook post, Ciucu presented the tender as a continuation of the city's investment in its public transport network.

“Yes! We continue the major investments in the public transport network!”

Specification and funding

Based on data from the public electronic procurement system, cited by HotNews, the trams specified are 36 metres long, with a floor lowered along the entire vehicle, a ramp for wheelchair users and air conditioning in the passenger saloon. The tender also lists additional equipment for passenger comfort and information. HotNews reports that the city obtained 87 million euro in non-reimbursable funds in October for 10 new trams, 45 trolleybuses and 40 electric buses. No tender has been launched for that second purchase, according to HotNews.

Fleet and purchase history

The city last bought trams in 2021, when it acquired 100 units from Astra Arad for about 1 billion lei, and those vehicles entered service between 2022 and 2024. Societatea de Transport București (STB) now operates 445 trams with an average age of 20 years, and official documents show that more than 80% of the trams it runs are beyond their service life. The oldest of them have been in use since the 1970s. In a reply to HotNews, STB reported an active fleet of 1,679 vehicles: 1,197 buses, 215 trolleybuses and 267 trams. The tram figure is lower because many lines are closed for track renovation. On a typical day, 1,289 vehicles are scheduled in service, including 848 buses, 215 trolleybuses and 226 trams.

Buses1,197

Trolleybuses215

Trams267

Buses

1197 vehicles

Trolleybuses

215 vehicles

Trams

267 vehicles

Data from the article text

The mayor's case

Ciucu tied the purchase to a wider plan that includes infrastructure projects, the modernisation of depots and the reorganisation of STB, which he said should make public transport more attractive. He set out the expected outcome in a Facebook post.

“The lines will be ready, the depots modernised, STB financially balanced and better managed as a result of the insolvency procedure, and public transport will be more attractive.”

What comes next

Bids are due on 10 December 2026. The mayor's post gives no date for the contract award. The tender for the vehicles covered by the October funding has not yet been launched, according to HotNews, so the city's fleet plans will depend on both procurements moving forward.