The first Škoda ForCity Smart Bonn tram has officially entered operation after extensive testing, including trials in the Climatic Wind Tunnel in Vienna, and receiving final approval from the Technical Assessment Body. Its first official journey was celebrated with a special event at the SWB Bus und Bahn depot in Beuel on December 9, 2024, introducing this state-of-the-art, eco-friendly vehicle to the people of Bonn.
The unveiling event brought together key figures, including Anja Wenmakers, Managing Director of SWB Bus und Bahn; Katja Dörner, Mayor of Bonn and Chairwoman of the SWB Supervisory Board, and Petr Novotný, CEO of Škoda Group.
“The new trams will bring a significant improvement in everyday life, especially for them. I would like to thank SWB Bus und Bahn for the continuous and successful cooperation. Public transport is the backbone of the mobility transition. With new trams, we are making a genuine offer to everyone to switch to local public transport,” Mayor Katja Dörner said.
The Škoda ForCity Smart Bonn tram has been designed to meet the city’s needs. As one of the first trams in Germany to feature an eco-friendly CO₂-based air conditioning system, it sets new standards for energy efficiency and passenger comfort. The vehicles also include pivoting bogies, reducing noise and vibration while protecting the tracks, and boast wide entrances, multifunctional compartments, and ergonomic driver cabs designed with input from local drivers.
This modern tram, recognised with the Red Dot Award for Product Design, is a modern low-floor vehicle designed to integrate seamlessly with Bonn’s urban landscape. It features advanced lighting for increased visibility, a nearly silent ride to reduce noise pollution, and smart technologies such as cameras replacing traditional rear-view mirrors for enhanced safety.
Passengers and drivers alike are set to benefit from the thoughtful design and cutting-edge innovations, making the Škoda ForCity Smart Bonn a key part of the city’s sustainable future.
SWB Bus und Bahn is preparing for the arrival of 28 trams, with the first vehicles already operating on Line 61 between Dottendorf and Auerberg.
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