Škoda Group Completes ForCity Smart Tram Delivery to Plzeň

In June, Škoda Group completed the delivery of 22 ForCity Smart 40T trams to public transport operator PMDP in Plzeň, enabling the city to fully phase out its high-floor Tatra trams. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The contract was signed in September 2018 and initially included two trams with an option for 20 more. Škoda Group was the sole bidder in the tender process.

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The option was exercised in two phases, with the total contract value reaching approximately $56.4 million. The trams were assembled at Škoda’s facility in Plzeň. The first unit was delivered in July 2021.

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The 40T trams are three-section vehicles with dual driver’s cabs. Each side features five double-leaf doors, streamlining passenger boarding and exit.

Each 29-meter-long and 2.5-meter-wide tram offers 64 seats and standing room for 131 passengers. The vehicles are equipped with air conditioning, video surveillance, and passenger information systems.

These trams operate at speeds of up to 70 km/h and are fully low-floor, ensuring accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility.

Škoda Group Trams Replace Legacy Tatra Vehicles

Until 2025, Plzeň’s tram network relied on high-floor K3R-NT and T3 models. Following the delivery, all outdated units were withdrawn from service.

The city of Plzeň, home to around 170,000 residents, operates a standard-gauge tram network with three active lines covering roughly 22 kilometers.

Municipal authorities plan to construct a fourth tram line to connect the city center with the Vinice district. This expansion aims to improve accessibility and boost network efficiency.

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