Vladimir Soldatenkov: "The route network should be developed in a way that it is convenient for citizens."

      April 29, 2026 13:14 Politics The chairman of the Nizhny Novgorod Regional Duma Committee on Transport and Road Economy, Vladimir Soldatenkov, commented on the appointment of Leonid Samukhin as the Minister of Transport and Highways of the region.

      "We are working in a mode of effective interaction with the Ministry of Transport and the State Road Administration, which was previously headed by Leonid Samukhin. Over the past few years, much has been done to improve the comfort of the region's residents. A key factor in the development of the transport system has been the construction of new roads and transport interchanges. The region has become a leader in Russia in road construction and repair over the past few years. For seven consecutive years, we have ranked first in terms of work volumes within national projects. More than 6,600 km of roads have been repaired, and about 140 km of regional highways have been built and reconstructed. To reduce the load on the street and road network of Nizhny Novgorod, connect the territories of the Nizhny Novgorod agglomeration, and improve logistics with neighboring regions, the largest transport infrastructure facilities have been constructed," said the deputy.

      Soldatenkov also noted the unprecedented modernization of the tram network in Nizhny Novgorod, calling it one of the main transport victories of the region. According to the latest data, more than 100 kilometers of tracks have been updated, six traction substations have been reconstructed, and 144 single-section "MiNin" trams have been put into operation.

      "A large-scale effort is underway to optimize the public transport route network, and the bus fleet is being updated: from 2020 to 2025, 976 new buses have been delivered. In addition, the region has acquired 7 high-speed hydrofoil vessels—5 'Valday' and 2 'Meteor'—which have connected 16 regions of the country. River transport is carried out on more than 45 routes, and passenger traffic on water transport has increased 48 times over five years. These achievements have been made possible thanks to the systematic work of the previous Minister of Transport of the region, Pavel Savateev, and his team," noted Soldatenkov.

      At the same time, according to the chairman of the relevant committee of the Nizhny Novgorod Regional Duma, it is necessary to continue updating the bus fleet in municipalities and develop the route network to make it convenient for citizens.

      "I am confident that the new minister will be able to respond to these challenges of the times. I wish him to maintain continuity in management, strengthen control over contractors, and actively implement modern technologies. It is important that each stage of modernization brings real improvements in the quality of life for people," concluded Soldatenkov. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and timely information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+