Take a look at Prague’s new tram design—the first in 20 years

Škoda Group revealed the first prototype of its new ForCity Plus 52T tram on Monday, a sleek, low-floor model tailored for the capital's hilly terrain.

Expats.cz Staff

Written by Expats.cz Staff Published on 28.01.2025 08:46:00 (updated on 28.01.2025) Reading time: 1 minute

Prague’s iconic tram system is getting a modern upgrade. Škoda Group unveiled the first prototype of its new ForCity Plus 52T tram on Monday, showcasing a sleek, fully low-floor design tailored to the Czech capital’s needs. The first trams are expected to hit Prague’s streets later this year, marking the city’s first new tram model in nearly two decades.

The Prague Transport Company (DPP) ordered 40 trams as part of a larger contract that could expand to 200 vehicles. The first 20 trams will arrive this year, with the remaining 20 set for delivery by the end of 2026. Trial runs without passengers are scheduled to begin in April, with regular service expected to start later in 2025.

The new trams feature wider passageways, air conditioning, and improved accessibility, including more space for strollers and wheelchairs. At 32 meters long, each tram can carry up to 243 passengers—a significant increase compared to older models. The design also includes energy-saving technology and modern information systems. Each tram costs under CZK 90 million

“Trams are a symbol of our capital city and also a symbol of ecological and comfortable public transport,” said Zdeněk Hřib, the city’s deputy mayor for transport, during a video presentation. “Prague needs these cars because tram lines are growing.”

The trams are part of a broader effort to expand the city’s tram network, with new lines planned for neighborhoods like Malešice, Strahov, and Žižkov. The Hloubětín depot, currently under construction, will serve as the base for the new vehicles.

Škoda Group CEO Petr Novotný highlighted the tram’s unique design tailored to Prague’s challenging topography. “This tram is built to navigate narrow and curved tracks, making it perfect for a city like Prague,” he said.

This marks Prague’s first new tram model in nearly two decades, signaling a major upgrade for the city’s tram system.

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