GERMANY: ForCity Plus 47T trams supplied by Škoda Group to Cottbus were officially launched into passenger service on August 15, with operator Cottbusverkehr pointing out that they were its first new trams for 35 years.
’With today’s commissioning, we are sending a strong signal for sustainable mobility, accessibility and comfort in local transport’, explained Cottbusverkehr Managing Director Ralf Thalmann. ’The new trams are not only an investment in technology, but also in quality of life for the people of Cottbus and the region.’
The three-section 70% low-floor metre-gauge trams are 29 m long and 2 400 mm wide, with capacity for 158 passengers including 61 fixed and six fold-down seats and two spaces for wheelchair users. The manufacturer said they would offer passengers greater comfort and capacity while also being more environmentally friendly than the city’s older trams.
’With the transition from the Tatra trams to the new models from Škoda, several vehicle generations and technical achievements have been skipped’, added Head of Trams Dirk Jakisch. ’This means that we have arrived technically in the here and now and are fit for the future.’
The Land of Brandenburg’s Infrastructure Minister Detlef Tabbert emphasised that ’local public transport in our municipalities should be attractive for people and make it easier to switch to public transport. To do this, we need the necessary infrastructure, rails, stops and user-friendly access, but of course also modern vehicles.’
Three-city joint order
Operator Cottbusverkehr has ordered a total of 22 vehicles, having confirmed an option for additional 15 on top of the seven originally ordered in 2021 as part of a joint procurement with Frankfurt (Oder) and Brandenburg (Havel).
The three types of ForCity Plus FCB tram are visually very similar, but tailored to the specific requirements of each city. Frankfurt’s Type 46T trams entered service in June, and Brandenburg expects to launch operations with its Type 48T trams soon.
Škoda Group said it was now the largest supplier of metre gauge trams to Germany, and its vehicles would soon be operating in 11 different cities.
| 46T Frankfurt (Oder) | 47T Cottbus | 48T Brandenburg an der Havel | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Electrification system V DC |
600/750 |
||
|
Track gauge mm |
1 000 |
||
|
Maximum speed km/h |
80 |
||
|
Length over buffers m |
28·96 |
||
|
Width mm |
2 300 |
2 400 |
2 300 |
|
Seats (+folding) |
51 (+5) |
61 (+6) |
50 (+6) |
|
Capacity passengers |
151 |
158 |
151 |
