Škoda Group, a leading European manufacturer of public transport vehicles, has produced the world’s longest tram in its Pilsen facility, Czech Republic. The tram, the Škoda ForCity Smart 38T, measures nearly 60 meters in length. A total of 12 trams of this model are being built for Rhein-Neckar-Verkehr GmbH (rnv), the public transport operator for Mannheim, Heidelberg, and Ludwigshafen in Germany.
Jan Christoph Harder, Škoda Group’s regional president for the West and North, highlighted the collaboration with rnv in designing a tram that meets both urban and regional transport needs. He also noted the vehicle’s modular design, large capacity, and passenger-friendly features. Over 20% of its components come from Germany, emphasizing European cooperation in sustainable transport.
The production of each Škoda 38T takes 18 weeks, while its smaller version, the 30-meter Škoda 36T, is completed in 9 weeks. As part of a larger contract with rnv, the fleet includes trams in three sizes: 30m (Škoda 36T), 40m (Škoda 37T), and 60m (Škoda 38T). These trams can be coupled together to form trains up to 80 meters long, offering flexibility to meet varying passenger demands.
Each tram begins its journey in Otanmäki, Finland, where the car bodies are manufactured, and is then fully assembled in Pilsen. Designed for both tram and railway operations, the trams can reach speeds of up to 80 km/h and are built for a 1,000mm track gauge, suitable for operations across three German federal states.
