Škoda Group will significantly expand its largest tram contract for Germany. It will supply an additional 34 trams to RNV (Rhein-Neckar-Verkehr), the public transport company that operates tram services in Mannheim, Ludwigshafen, and Heidelberg, adding to the 80 originally ordered.

The transport company announced the additional order on its website, alongside the delivery of the longest tram. The new order is for 30-metre-long 36T trams. “This is a crucial decision for renewing our fleet and increasing transport capacity,” said Christian Specht, the mayor of Mannheim.

The ForCity Smart 38T tram was handed over yesterday. The tram measures 58.69 metres, and its sections can be separated for maintenance. It can carry 368 passengers, 144 of them seated. It is the longest tram in the world with a metre-gauge track.

RNV’s Technical Director, Martin in der Beek, stated that after initial issues and delivery delays, operations are now running smoothly. “At present, we are receiving one new tram every one to two weeks,” Beek added.

A total of 12 ForCity Smart 38T trams will operate in the RNV network and are expected to enter service with passengers later this year. So far, in addition to the longest tram, the operator has taken delivery of 16 trams (out of 31 ordered, type 36T) measuring 40 metres in length, and 9 trams (out of 37 ordered, type 37T) measuring 30 metres. Delivery of all 114 trams is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

For Škoda, this is one of the largest tram contracts. The trams are being produced at factories in Otanmäki, Finland, and in Plzeň. The tram is based on the Artic model produced by Transtech, but due to numerous customer requirements, it is essentially a new type. The contract is worth over seven billion Czech crowns. The value of the option was not disclosed by the transport company.

Source: https://www.zdopravy.cz/
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