Škoda has started production at its Pilsen factory in Czechia of ForCity Plus Praha 52T trams for operation by Pražská integrovaná doprava (PID) on Prague's transport network.
The new trams take into account specific requirements for Prague, particularly its historical centre.
They have five sections operating on four bogies, with the outer two freely pivoting and the inner two partially pivoting, and are 32 metres long.
Passenger comfort includes air conditioning, six large information screens, and 100% low-floor accessibility.
Each tram can accommodate 70 seated and 173 standing passengers and advanced technologies include a passenger counting system, regenerative braking, and a predictive safety anti-collision system.
The final vehicle design and production documentation for the trams was carried out by project teams from Škoda Group and the Prague Transport Company (DPP).
Before they go into serial production, three trams will be manufactured for testing and homologation purposes.
The 52T trams were officially introduced last January, since when their colour scheme has been fine-tuned to have a uniform PID design.
Testing and homologation of the vehicles will take place next spring before commencement of series production.
Last year, Škoda won a contract to supply eight new metro trains for Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria.
“This is the first step on the long road to the actual production of new trams for Prague. Although we have already invested thousands of hours into the project as part of its technical preparation – from drawings to technology development – we can now begin to see the fruits of our labour as the new trams take shape right before our eyes. I believe that thanks to the abilities of our employees, years of experience in the industry, and know-how, everything will go according to plan.
Tomáš Ignačák, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors and President Regions CZ&SK and Central East Škoda Group
I hope that they are not going to be as ugly as the Skoda 15Ts. I still prefer the old Tatras to the newer trams. I prefered the Skoda 40Ts which are operating in Plzen to the 15Ts.