Skoda Transportation has won a contract to supply trams to Bonn’s transport company.
It will supply a total of 26 vehicles from its ForCity Smart platform. A key element of the contract is that Skoda will also exclusively supply spare parts for 25 years. The contract includes an option for up to 12 further vehicles. If this option is used, the total contract value would like at almost 4 billion CZK (157 million euros | 175 million USD).
“The new contract confirms that Skoda trams are able to succeed competing against the world's largest companies, even in the most demanding world markets. Our long-term strategy to strengthen our company's position in Western Europe is confirmed.”
The trams for the German city of Bonn will be modern bi-directional three-section units. They will be low-floor throughout and be fitted with swivel bogies. The full vehicle adhesion enables comfortable operation as it means the trams will exhibit reliable driving characteristics even in poor weather. Skoda says its trams also benefit from low operating costs.
Each tram will feature two large multi-purpose areas for wheelchairs, prams, bicycles and the like. They will also contain clear information systems with both screens and panels.
The camera system meanwhile should enhance safety and prevent vandalism. Each tram is 30m long and has a capacity of 180.
“For the Škoda Transportation group, the contract for Bonn is not the first such success in Germany. A total of eighty new modern trams will head towards the lines between Mannheim, Ludwigshafen and Heidelberg in the coming years. In addition, our modern ForCity trams were inaugurated with passengers a few weeks ago in Chemnitz, Germany, and others are already in operation in Schöneiche. The local transport company is gradually receiving a total of fourteen bi-directional 100% low-floor vehicles of a new design.”
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