Škoda Group has unveiled Sleep in Motion concept, an innovative solution for night travel which enhances comfort, privacy, and operational efficiency while maintaining high passenger capacity. The mock-up of the new concept has been presented in September at InnoTrans.
“The Sleep in Motion concept showcases our ability to deliver forward-thinking solutions that address both passenger needs and operational challenges. Our design enhances comfort and privacy without sacrificing capacity. We believe this concept is a real game-changer for the night train sector, making rail travel more appealing and sustainable. Right now, we are already actively offering this solution to our customers,“ said Jan Harder, President Region West and North at Škoda Group.
Night trains are key to the decarbonisation of the transport sector, offering an eco-friendly alternative that makes travel time feel less intrusive. However, the current night train fleets are outdated, with insufficient comfort, lack of privacy, and a cramped atmosphere. Existing options such as 6-berth compartments maximise capacity but compromise comfort, while 4-berth compartments offer a more pleasant experience but reduce space efficiency and increase costs.
The new concept developed by designers from Škoda Group’s office in Austria, that received a patent recently, addresses these challenges with a revolutionary design. The concept features optimised bed geometry, including non-rectangular bunks, which enable comfortable sleeping positions and freedom of movement without reducing capacity.
The cabins are arranged in double units, offering two private compartments with comfortable access and a range of features, including: spacious mattresses 200 cm long and up to 85 cm wide; a window for every passenger that also serves as an emergency exit; 90 cm cabin height for comfort; dedicated luggage storage at floor level; hand luggage space inside the cabin for added security; and lights, charging sockets and other more features for high comfort.
“What we’ve created is a prototype that showcases a new direction for night train travel, but we remain committed to refining and improving it. The current cabin exists as a mock-up, and we are actively gathering feedback from passengers and stakeholders. Every insight we receive is valuable and will help us perfect the design to meet both operator and traveller expectations,” Martin Zsifkovits, Managing Director of Škoda Group Austria, said.
This layout provides the privacy of business class combined with the efficiency of super-economy class. It transforms the night train experience into a more comfortable, secure, and enjoyable journey. The alternating width of the gangways and the dedicated luggage spaces contribute to a feeling of spaciousness while maintaining operational efficiency.
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