Not only students at the University of Brno will be able to enjoy a ride in the new Škoda ForCity Smart 45T tram from mid-December onwards, which was produced for the new tram line leading to the university campus by Škoda Group, a Czech manufacturer of vehicles for public transport. In the coming weeks, the tram will run the necessary kilometres, after which it will be put into trial operation with passengers.
The ForCity Smart trams are the ideal vehicles for urban traffic. Their characteristics are perfect for high ride comfort and convenience. Thanks to their technical design, they reduce operating and infrastructure maintenance costs. With its bidirectionality, the Škoda 45T is adapted for use on lines terminated by a switchback.
„More and more people in the Czech Republic can travel with our vehicles, and this is the greatest reward for well done work. Passengers can enjoy a comfortable ride with reliable Czech products that safely take them to their destination. Some of our products are already operating in Brno, and this delivery is a follow-up to our successful cooperation. The new ” Šalina ” is the most modern vehicle from our workshop and I believe that it will serve for decades to come to the full satisfaction of all residents and visitors of this Moravian metropolis,“ says Tomáš Ignačák, President of the CZ/SK Region at Škoda Group.
“The new bi-directional trams are intended primarily for line 8, which is terminated at both ends by a switchback. I believe that people will appreciate both the new vehicle and the new line. One more new tram should arrive in Brno by the end of the year, and for the remaining three passengers will wait until March 2023,” says the Mayor of Brno Markéta Vaňková.
“According to the requirements of the Rail Authority, the trams will run the necessary kilometres without passengers in the next few weeks and some type tests will be carried out on them. After that it will be in trial operation with passengers. We expect to put it into regular operation during December,” adds Miloš Havránek, CEO of Brno Public Transport Authority.
The ForCity Smart 45T tram is a bi-directional fully low-floor three-unit vehicle with swivel bogies. Reliable driving characteristics even in bad weather are ensured by full vehicle adhesion. This 31-metre tram comfortably accommodates up to 233 passengers, of which 64 are seated. The maximum operating speed is 70 km/h. Air conditioning and two large multifunctional spaces for wheelchairs, prams or bicycles are also included. The new tram also offers a modern, clear information system with screens and panels. To ensure safety, the vehicle is equipped with a camera system.
The Brno Public Transport Authority has signed a contract with Škoda Group for the purchase of up to 40 new trams – currently five vehicles have been ordered. The total value of the contract is CZK 2.4 billion.
The new tram has a spacious, air-conditioned interior equipped with stainless steel handrails, widescreen LCD information monitors and USB chargers. The RIS2 control and information system or EOC2 validators are also included. For transporting multiple wheelchair users, the tram has a total of four tilting platforms. The tram is also equipped with an external and internal CCTV system and partially tinted side windows.
The driver’s cab is newly designed. In addition to the clear console, where the emphasis is on simplicity and good visibility, the controls are partially implemented directly in the driver’s seat. The windscreens are equipped with heating, the front windscreen with design daytime running lights. The electrical equipment allows recuperation, i.e., the return of electricity to the grid when braking, which reduces the overall consumption of the vehicle and thus the operating costs.
