TURKEY: Konya has ordered 12 trams capable of catenary-free operation from Škoda Transportation as a follow-on order for the 60 ForCity Classic 28T trams currently being delivered. They are to be delivered next year, and bring the total order value for 72 trams to KC3·4bn.
Following certification in January, a prototype Catfree tram has been on test at Škoda’s Plzeň factory since February. Roof-mounted nano-lithium-titanium batteries enable catenary-free operation for up to 3 km, and are recharged through the pantograph.
‘The tram managed to accelerate 30 times to 30 km/h for a total of 8 km without recharging’, explained Milan Šrámek, Škoda Transportation’s Electric Product Manager.
The trams for Konya are to be used on a new line which will have a 1·8 km section without overhead wires. The first 28T from the original order entered passenger service in February.
