Škoda Group, one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of public transport vehicles, is based in Pilsen (Czech Republic) — now the ‘birthplace’ of the longest tram in the world. A total of 12 nearly 60m-long trams are being produced here, with the first Škoda ForCity Smart 38T from series production on its way to the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan area. This vehicle is part of a fully modular fleet designed to meet the diverse demands of the German operator Rhein-Neckar-Verkehr GmbH (rnv), which provides public transport in Mannheim, Heidelberg, and Ludwigshafen.
Jan Christoph Harder, Škoda Group’s regional president (West and North), said: “The longest tram in the world — the Škoda ForCity Smart 38T — is a result of close collaboration with rnv to create a vehicle that meets the complex demands of both urban and regional transport. Its modular design, high capacity, and passenger-friendly features make it a key element in shaping the future of mobility in the Rhine-Neckar region; and with more than 20% of its components sourced from Germany, this project also highlights strong European cooperation in sustainable public transport.”
Each Škoda 38T takes 18 weeks to produce, while its smaller counterpart — the 30m Škoda 36T — is completed in 9 weeks. The Škoda 38T is part of a large-scale contract with rnv, one covering 114 trams in three sizes: 30m Škoda 36T; 40m Škoda 37T; and 60m Škoda 38T. They are built for adaptability and can be coupled into formations up to 80m, to suit varying passenger needs.
The journey of each tram begins in Otanmäki, Finland, where the bare car bodies are produced, before final assembly takes place at Škoda Group’s facility in Pilsen. Designed for both tram and railway operations across three federal states, these trams run on a 1,000mm gauge and reach a top speed of 80km/h.