Czech rolling stock manufacturer Škoda Transportation will supply low-floor trams to the German state of Brandenburg.
The German towns of Frankfurt an der Oder (note: this is a different Frankfurt to Germany’s main financial hub) and Brandenburg an der Havel as well as the city of Cottbus have placed a joint order in a pan-European tender. Škoda will deliver 24 trams with an option for 21 further vehicles. In total, this contract is worth 110 million euros (almost 3 billion CZK).
The trams will be of the type ForCity Plus. They are to replace the current high-floor trams in the three locations, as they are coming to the end of their life-span. Many of the specifications for the three towns are the same. However, Škoda will deliver the trams in two different width to accommodate the specific requirements.
- 13 trams will go to Frankfurt (Oder)
- 4 trams will go to Brandenburg an der Havel – plus a potential 8 from the option
- 7 will go to Cottbus – plus a potential 13 from the option
Each Škoda ForCity Plus tram in this order will be a unidirectional, three-section tram, 70 percent low-floor, with two radial and one non-radial bogie.
“We have long believed that the Western European market, led by Germany, is a very important market, and our strategy of focusing on these markets is proving to be a good strategy. We are very pleased with the long-term and regular success of our trams on the German market. With this order we have started the second hundred of ordered modern, comfortable trams from Škoda factories, which will offer ecological transport in nine German cities.”
Škoda made a strategic decision in 2014 to build a growth strategy for Germany, which caused the company to establish a subsidiary.
This is the first tender where contracting authorities have jointly requested technically identical vehicles for three very different locations.
“Without cooperation with Cottbus and Frankfurt and without state support, we would not be able to renew our fleet of trams. Today is therefore a significant milestone for the safety of tram transport in our city and its electrical and reliable future.”
