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Škoda Group Secures Contract to Deliver Modern Trolleybuses to Lithuanian Capital

Škoda Group Secures Contract to Deliver Modern Trolleybuses to Lithuanian Capital
photo: Škoda Group/Škoda Group Secures Contract to Deliver Modern Trolleybuses to Lithuanian Capital
16 / 05 / 2023

Škoda Group has won the tender for the delivery of modern trolleybuses to Vilnius, Lithuania. The contract with the carrier JSC "Vilniaus viešasis transportas" (VVT) includes the delivery of 91 Škoda 32 Tr vehicles with a total value of CZK 1.3 billion. The fleet of the Lithuanian capital will thus receive modern vehicles that will contribute to a cleaner and healthier living environment. The trolleybuses will be delivered in 2024 and 2025.

The contract is another success for the Group in the region. As of 2018, 41 trolleybuses with Škoda traction equipment are in operation in Vilnius, and the Group has previously delivered another 125 trolleybuses to Riga, Latvia. In the long term, it is one of the largest trolleybus manufacturers in Europe. In addition to trolleybuses, Škoda has delivered 13 double-decker trains in Lithuania and is also interested in other orders for electric train units.

The contract is another success for the Group in this region. A total of 41 trolleybuses with Škoda traction equipment have been in operation in Vilnius since 2018, and the Group has previously delivered another 125 trolleybuses to Riga, Latvia.

In the long term, it is one of the largest trolleybus manufacturers in Europe. In addition to trolleybuses, Škoda has delivered 13 double-decker trains in Lithuania and is also interested in other orders for electric train units.

"I am proud that we have once again confirmed our position as the leading trolleybus manufacturer in Europe. We place great emphasis on sustainability and innovation in vehicle production, and I am pleased that we can offer our partners solutions that are efficient and environmentally friendly at the same time. The Baltics is one of our most important regions, as we have already delivered hundreds of vehicles here," says Petr Novotný, President of Components & Bus Mobility at Škoda Group. "In addition to our trolleybuses, our double-decker electric units are also in service in Lithuania, and we are very interested in participating in further tenders for trains. We are excited that we can use our products to help create a greener and more comfortable public transport system for the people of Lithuania."

"Trolleybuses with traction batteries and dynamic charging from overhead lines represent a highly efficient
technology with enormous economic and ecological potential. Another significant advantage is that these vehicles do not require the construction of additional charging infrastructure, as is the case with electric buses. The new vehicles will also significantly reduce existing repair costs and passenger discomfort, ensuring faster, more timely and more comfortable journeys for both our drivers and passengers. This type of trolleybus is more manoeuvrable, more comfortable and, if necessary, can go around obstacles not only at intersections but also in the surrounding streets, making the public transport system even more flexible and efficient," said Darius Aleknavičius, VVT CEO.

Modern low-floor trolleybuses with battery

Almost a hundred Škoda 32 Tr low-floor trolleybuses from the Škoda Group will ply the streets of the Lithuanian capital. These 12-metre vehicles will be equipped with a traction battery for autonomous driving over a distance of at least 20 km. The battery can be recharged directly from the catenary while driving (so-called In-Motion-Charging). Alternatively, the batteries can be recharged at the depot via the CCS2 connector. Traffic safety and increased driver comfort are ensured by a modern camera system for monitoring traffic in front of the vehicle, as well as the "Mirror Eye" system replacing conventional exterior rear-view mirrors.

Inside the vehicle, a camera system for monitoring the vehicle's interior will enhance passenger safety. Modern air conditioning will be installed in the trolleybuses, both in the passenger compartment and in the driver's cab. Passengers can also look forward to a clear information system and Wi-Fi connectivity. Of course, there is a ramp for boarding for people with reduced mobility. Also worth mentioning are the virus neutralisation facilities. The contract also includes a contract for the supply of spare parts needed for regular maintenance of the trolleybuses for the first five years of operation.

Škoda trolleybuses have a long tradition in the Lithuanian capital. Since the 1960s, there have been several hundred vehicles in operation, mostly of the Škoda 9 Tr and Škoda 14 Tr type. These trolleybuses have always been popular and considered very reliable. The last deliveries of these older types were made in the 1990s. As of 2018, 41 trolleybuses with Škoda traction equipment are in operation in Vilnius.

Sustainable Solutions for the Future

The Škoda Group has long focused on producing products that have a minimal impact on the environment. The Group is constantly working on the development of new alternative drives. In addition to trolleybuses, its portfolio includes electric buses, and its latest development is a hydrogen-powered bus. "We believe sustainable transport is essential in creating a better world for the generations that come after us," adds Petr Novotný.

Source: Škoda Group

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