The Brussels transport company MIVB is donating 36 buses to Ukraine. The vehicles can be used to transport people in the war zone to hospitals but can also be converted into mobile aid stations where people can charge their mobile phones. “We are very grateful for the help and friendship from Brussels,” says Ukrainian Ambassador Yaroslav Melnyk.
The donated vehicles are the last buses in the MIVB fleet that run entirely on fuel. Thanks to the switch to electric and hybrid vehicles, the last fuel-powered buses could be taken out of service and given a new lease of life in Ukraine.
“As the buses are now surplus to requirements, we would only be able to sell them for scrap. It is better to donate them to a good cause,” says the MIVB’s Guy Sablon.
It is up to Ukraine to decide how the buses will be used. “They can, of course, be used to transport people, but they can also be converted into mobile hubs with electricity to charge mobile phones, for example.”
Possible destinations under consideration include the Sumy and Chernihiv regions, where there is a great need for humanitarian aid. These two regions, on the border with Russia, have been severely affected by the war.
Needed to get to hospital
“We are very grateful for this support and the gesture of friendship from Brussels,” says Ukrainian Ambassador Yaroslav Melnyk.
“Since the start of the war, Ukraine has lost more than 13,000 public transport vehicles including trams and buses. People need these buses to get to school, work or hospital.”
Excellent condition
According to MIVB spokesman Guy Sablon, the majority of the donated buses are still in excellent condition. “They’ve clocked up a fair few kilometres, but the engines have been overhauled and the vehicles have passed their roadworthiness tests.”
But even the older buses are more than welcome in Ukraine. “They’re keen to have those buses too, for spare parts. That way, virtually all the buses can still be of use.”