Mainz Orders 22 New Trams from Škoda Group for $108 Million

Škoda Group will deliver 22 ForCity Smart trams to Mainz after winning a competitive tender held in February 2024. The $108 million contract was finalized in May 2025, with deliveries planned from 2028 to 2030. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

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The new fleet will replace six high-floor M8C vehicles from 1984 and sixteen low-floor GT6M-ZR units delivered in 1996. Mainzer Stadtwerke, the parent company of the city’s transit operator, will provide the bulk of the funding.

Additional financial support will come from the Ministry of Mobility of Rhineland-Palatinate and the city of Mainz. The investment aims to modernize the tram network and enhance service reliability.

Trams Will Modernize Mainz’s Public Transit

Each ForCity Smart vehicle will be 43.5 meters long and accommodate 258 passengers, including 96 seated. In comparison, the older M8C and GT6M-ZR models carried up to 139 and 143 passengers, respectively.

The trams will include multifunctional areas for strollers, bikes, and wheelchairs, making them fully accessible for people with limited mobility. These features reflect a strong focus on inclusive urban transport.

Onboard amenities will include air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, LED lighting, USB charging ports, and digital information displays. These upgrades will significantly improve passenger comfort and travel experience.

Trams to Support Network Expansion Projects

The new vehicles represent a strategic upgrade for Mainz’s 29.7 km, five-line meter-gauge tram system. Škoda has previously supplied similar units to Mannheim, Bonn, and Kassel.

Construction of a 300-meter extension began in June 2024 and will be completed by the end of 2025. Two additional expansion projects are also planned to support growing demand.

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