The Škoda ForCity Plus 52T tram has received the Red Dot Award for its design, after Škoda Group developed the vehicle for Prague’s public transportation company, DPP.

Škoda ForCity Plus 52T tram in Prague Red Dot Award image
Škoda ForCity Plus 52T tram shown in the official Red Dot Award image for Prague. Photo: Škoda Group

The Czech manufacturer of rolling stock and zero-emission mobility solutions said the award recognizes the design⁠ of the new vehicle in one of the world’s major international design competitions.

Škoda Group said the award confirms that a modern urban rail vehicle must combine technical performance, safety, operational reliability, and a design approach focused on passengers, drivers, and the city environment.

Škoda ForCity Plus 52T tram developed for Prague

The Škoda ForCity Plus 52T tram was created specifically for Prague and its tram network, which the company describes as one of the most demanding in Europe.

The tram has to work across very different operating conditions in the city. These include the historic center, with narrow streets and tight curves, as well as routes with steeper gradients and busy urban lines where capacity, comfort, and smooth running are important.

Tomáš Chludil, head of the industrial design department at Škoda Group, said:

“Receiving the Red Dot Award is, for us, a powerful confirmation that the design of the 52T tram can stand out in the most demanding international competition. From the very beginning, our ambition for this vehicle was to combine a modern technical solution, a high level of passenger comfort, safety, and a visual identity that reflects Prague’s importance as one of Europe’s leading tram cities.

“That is why this award belongs to the entire team involved in the tram’s development,”

Škoda 52T tram in Prague
Archive photo of a Škoda 52T tram in Prague. Photo: Dobravacek / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 1.0

Second Red Dot Award for Škoda Group

The recognition marks the second Red Dot Award for Škoda Group.

In 2024, the company’s Škoda ForCity Smart tram for Bonn in Germany received the same honor in the Product Design category. At that time, the international jury pointed to the vehicle’s comfort for passengers with different needs and its ability to fit into the urban environment.

Škoda Group said the award for the 52T tram in Prague confirms its ability to design modern rail vehicles that combine technical quality with considered design.

Red Dot Award and design criteria

The Red Dot Award is regarded as one of the leading international awards in product design and is often described as the “Oscar of design.”

The competition has been held since 1955. Each year, it assesses products from around the world and grants an international quality seal for design.

In the Product Design category⁠, entries are reviewed by an independent international jury made up of design experts. The assessment criteria include innovation, functionality, workmanship quality, sustainability, and overall design quality.

The award ceremony is held in Essen, Germany. Winning products are also presented at the Red Dot Design Museum in Essen.

Capacity and low-floor interior

The Škoda ForCity Plus 52T is a one-way tram made up of 5 sections and built with a full low-floor layout.

The vehicle is about 32 meters long and 2.5 meters wide. It can carry up to 243 passengers, including 70 seated passengers.

Passenger exchange is supported by 5 double doors. The tram also combines a modern traction control system with fully suspended pivoting bogies at the vehicle ends. This setup is designed to support smooth acceleration and braking while reducing the effect on track infrastructure.

Inside, the tram was planned as a spacious, clearly arranged, and user-friendly vehicle for daily city transport.

The interior includes wider gangways between sections, modern LED lighting, climate control throughout the vehicle using an eco-friendly refrigerant, an advanced passenger information system with 6 large screens positioned inside the tram, and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Because the tram is fully low-floor and has no steps to reach the seats, it is intended to make travel easier for passengers with limited mobility, older people, parents with strollers, young children, and passengers carrying large luggage.

Collision avoidance technology

The 52T trams will also include a modern collision avoidance system developed by Škoda.

The system uses sensors, cameras, and high-definition digital maps to identify obstacles in front of the vehicle in advance.

Škoda Group describes this technology as a safety feature for complex urban conditions and as part of its wider strategy for the digitalization of rail transport.

Prague contract includes options

Prague’s public transportation company has signed a contract with Škoda Group for 40 ForCity Plus 52T trams.

The contract also contains an option for as many as 160 more vehicles⁠. If that option is used in full, Prague could receive up to 200 modern trams.

The project is therefore one of the most significant recent investments in renewing Prague’s tram fleet.

Context

The award comes as Prague is already bringing the 52T into everyday service. DPP says the eight-year agreement with Škoda covers 40 trams, with an option for up to 160 more, and is valued at CZK 16.602 billion. The first seven 52T trams entered full passenger service on line 12 in November 2025, while DPP’s own data lists 20 low-floor 52T vehicles in the tram fleet as of 31 December 2025.