“Italy is a growing market for public transport, and the fact that Bergamo will be another city with Škoda trams is clear proof of the high level of Czech research and development. Production of all units is in full swing, and we are managing to keep to the set schedule. The first trams will appear in Italy as early as March,” says Olesea Lachi, Vice President South & East Europe at Škoda Group.
“The visit to the Škoda plants allowed us to see firsthand the high technological and quality standards of the new trams destined for the T2 Line,” says Gian Battista Scarfone, CEO of TEB Tramvie Elettriche Bergamasche. “These are modern, safe, and fully accessible vehicles, designed according to the specific needs of Bergamo’s new tramway line. The delivery of the first tram, scheduled for March, represents a major milestone toward the activation of the new line and a further step forward in developing increasingly sustainable and efficient mobility for our region.”
The new trams are based on the Škoda ForCity Classic platform, but the manufacturer has completely adapted them to the needs of Bergamo. These include, among other things, operation on local infrastructure, including urban and suburban sections and operation in tunnels. The five-section, 33-meter-long bidirectional vehicle will offer a capacity of 281 passengers and a fully low-floor layout for easy, barrier-free access.
Eight wide double doors along the entire length of the vehicle will ensure rapid passenger exchange. The equipment includes a fully air-conditioned interior and driver’s cab, modern LED lighting, and dedicated spaces for people with reduced mobility. The tram is also designed for easier and more cost-effective maintenance thanks to better access to technical parts and a durable construction for a long service life.
Czech development according to the latest standards
The vehicle was designed by the Škoda Group in accordance with the strictest European standards, and safety is ensured by an advanced safety system. This includes an anti-collision system that actively monitors the area in front of the tram and helps prevent accidents. This protects not only passengers and drivers, but also pedestrians and other traffic participants in the historic centre and surrounding areas of the city.
The bidirectional trams for Bergamo will run on a newly built line leading from Bergamo station to the nearby village of Villa d’Almé. The delivery of trams to Bergamo represents a significant step for the Škoda Group in strengthening its position in the southern European market. The new trams will contribute to the development of sustainable and modern public transport in the region.
Škoda orders on the Italian market
The Škoda Group has recently been implementing orders in Italy worth more than CZK 6 billion (EUR 250 million). These include, for example, the delivery of the aforementioned trams for the northern Italian city of Bergamo,
the supply of carriages for night trains for the national railway operator (in cooperation with Italian rail vehicle manufacturer Titagarh Firema), and an order for 112 trolleybuses for Genoa, Italy, which the Škoda Group is fulfilling together with manufacturer Solaris, equipping the trolleybuses with modern electrical equipment and traction batteries.
