After thirteen months of anticipation, Škoda has unveiled its first completed ForCity Plus 52T tram for Prague, marking a significant milestone in the city’s public transportation evolution. The groundbreaking deal, valued at 16.6 billion crowns, includes a framework agreement for up to 200 trams, with each unit costing 83 million crowns.
The Prague Transport Company has firmly committed to acquiring 40 trams, with a strategic delivery schedule – 20 units this year and another 20 by the end of 2026. The project’s financial burden is significantly eased by European Union funding, which covers half the cost.
The new tram boasts impressive features designed to enhance passenger comfort. It offers 100% low-floor accessibility and notably spacious interiors with wider inter-carriage passages. The vehicle comes equipped with full air conditioning using eco-friendly refrigerant and a modern passenger information system. Technical innovations include advanced bogies, electromechanical brakes, and energy recuperation systems, all contributing to reduced maintenance costs and energy consumption.
Passenger capacity has been significantly improved, with 70 seats available – 44 facing forward and 26 backward – representing a 20% increase compared to previous models. The tram will undergo rigorous testing, including 20,000 kilometers of operation both without passengers and with test loads.
The new trams will find their home in the Hloubětín depot, serving routes around Hloubětín, Lehovec, Vysočany, and Palmovka, operating on lines 3, 7, 8, 12, and 24.