ŠKODA Group has revealed a new five-section, 100% low-floor tram developed for the city of Prague at InnoTrans 2026, designed to operate in the Czech capital’s historic centre.
Displayed at ŠKODA Group’s stand was the tram, which will run on a chassis combining front swivel bogies with inner limited swivel bogies to enable operation through sharp curves and inclines without compromising ride quality.
Front view of tram 9529, liveried for Prague’s PID transport network, showcasing the vehicle’s rounded nose design and low-floor entry
The unidirectional, five-section tram is equipped with the technical ability to navigate the sharp curves in Prague city centre, managing the challenging uphill tracks.
Jan Christoph Harder, President West and North at ŠKODA Group, spoke of the high passenger volume in Prague and how the city was the “perfect environment” for this new tram to be incorporated.
Safety and Sustainability Features
And with a new anti-collision support system and camera systems, there has never been a safer tram system to navigate the tricky streets of Prague.
The tram features an EM-brake system, cutting oil-based maintenance entirely while still delivering 100% adhesion braking.
ŠKODA Group has specified air conditioning using R290, a natural, low-global-warming-potential refrigerant, in place of traditional HFC-based systems.
Inside the low-floor tram, showing the spacious, accessible interior with red seating, grab rails and onboard passenger information screens as journalists and guests tour the vehicle.
Context Behind the Design
The design addresses the difficulties of running modern rolling stock through Prague’s historic core, where narrow, curved streets have constrained vehicle length and turning geometry.
Tomas Chludil, Head of Industrial Design at Škoda Group, said:The design itself was quite demanding, especially as it is in Prague as it is a city of trams, so to blend in as a newcomer was very important, as it will operate in both historical and modern areas.
By pairing a five-section articulated body with its dual-bogie swivel arrangement, ŠKODA Group says the tram is engineered to serve these routes without the compromises typically associated with longer low-floor vehicles.
