YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS: The Yerevan metro has been equipped with two new wagons on the occasion of September 1. This was reported to Armenpress by the Spokesperson of the Yerevan Metropolitan CJSC Ninel Vardanyan. “The two new wagons were put into operation from August 31”, - said Ninel Vardanyan.

The works carried out in the framework of the second stage of the “Yerevan metro reconstruction” program are in the process. “The works are gradually moving forward and progressing in natural way”, - said the Spokesperson of the Yerevan Metropolitan CJSC.

€15 million will be invested in the reconstruction works. The financing is provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank and the EU Neighborhood Investment Facility. The second stage of the “Yerevan metro reconstruction” program is intended to be completed in 2016.

Initially construction of a partly underground rapid tram was planned. But meanwhile population figures had risen and the decision was taken to build a full metro network.

The Yerevan's metro line was inaugurated in 1981 and extended towards the south until 1986. Ten years later a branch opened to the surface station Charbakh, which is operated as a separate shuttle service. The main line is underground from Barekamutyun to Zoravar Andranik and after Gortsaranayin, so only Sassountsi David and Gortsaranayin stations lie above ground. The metro was not damaged during the heavy 1988 earthquake. The total length of the line is 12.1 km with 10 stations.

Trains in service are of the 81-717 series also running in Moscow and other ex-Soviet cities. Stations have 100 m long platforms for 5-car-trains, although only 2-car-trains are currently used.