Škoda Group Launches New ForCity Plus 52T Tram at TRAKO

Škoda Group has launched its new Škoda ForCity Plus 52T tram at the TRAKO trade fair in Gdańsk.

Built specifically for operation in Prague, the new model touts a fully low-floor layout and is comprised of five sections, allowing it to navigate the city’s complicated track system.

The vehicle’s design includes a combination of pivoting and partly pivoting bogies, allowing greater flexibility whilst reducing infrastructure wear.

The interior, developed in-house at Škoda, provides wider gangways between sections, as well as a more spacious layout overall.

Petr Novotný, CEO Škoda Group, said:

The ForCity Plus 52T is not only a new vehicle for Prague, but also a demonstration of how our innovations can inspire urban transport in other European cities. Poland has traditionally been an important market for us – our trams run in Wrocław, and we also have metro trains in Warsaw. We are now returning here in earnest and are ready to provide cutting-edge solutions for other Polish cities as well. This advanced tram is ready to become part of public transport networks in Poland, fully adaptable to all types of infrastructure.

As with the Warsaw Metro and other projects, we aim to cooperate with the local industry and supply chain to ensure that our projects bring added value not only to transport, but to society as a whole.

The new train features full air conditioning utilising R290, an advanced passenger information system and Wi-Fi connectivity throughout.

Elsewhere, the tram features an advanced anti-collision system combining HD cameras with LiDAR technology, allowing full monitoring of the area in front of the train. The system can also detect obstacles and warn the driver of their presence, and, if necessary, perform an emergency brake procedure.

Each train measures in at approximately 32 metres in length and 2.5 metres in width, and has a capacity for up to 243 passengers, including 70 seated. The units are capable of reaching speeds of up to 70 km/h.

Jan Šurovský, Technical Director – Surface Transport, Prague Public Transit Company, said:

“The Prague Public Transit Company is very pleased that joint efforts have made it possible to adhere to the schedule, which had no reserves from the very beginning.

The winner of our tender was announced on November 9, 2023, the contract was signed on December 27, 2023, the first tram was presented at the production site on January 27, 2025, we started test runs on April 26, 2025, and we have now completed all the mandatory test kilometres on time. By the end of this year, we expect to have 20 of these vehicles in operation in Prague. It is not standard practice in Europe to adhere to the schedule.