Trolleybus Škoda 32 Tr: Tests in Pilsen Before the Trip to Vilnius!

An important milestone in the production of trolleybuses intended for Vilnius, Lithuania, is here! Škoda Group starts type tests of trolleybuses for Vilnius. How will their reliability and operational characteristics be verified?

The first Škoda 32 Tr trolleybus for the company Vilniaus viešasis transportas has started type tests and the homologation process in Pilsen. This milestone represents a significant shift in the production of 91 trolleybuses destined for Vilnius, Lithuania. The first vehicle undergoes an extensive list of mandatory tests, covering approximately 2,500 km of driving, to ensure reliability and performance.

"We have finished assembling the first trolleybus, which is now undergoing type tests and homologation. With another 12 trolleybuses currently in the production phase following the production schedule, we are well on our way to fulfilling our promise to strengthen the public transport system in Vilnius," comments Radek Svoboda, Managing Director of Škoda Electric in the Škoda Group.

"We have been cooperating with the Škoda Group for more than 60 years, and during that time we have tested several models of public transport vehicles. We are glad that our paths have crossed again due to the need to renew the trolleybus fleet, and we are confident that the new trolleybuses will ensure safe and fast travel in the capital of Lithuania. The whole of Vilnius is impatiently waiting for the new trolleybuses, the first part of which will arrive this year, and the second part at the beginning of 2025," says Ignas Degutis, director of the Vilnius City Transport Company.

The first Škoda 32 Tr trolleybus started a series of test procedures, covering approximately 2,500 kilometers on the streets of Pilsen. These comprehensive tests are key to ensuring vehicle reliability, safety, and performance, and aim to confirm the vehicle's readiness to operate in Vilnius. Every other vehicle from the contract must then drive 250 km on city streets before it is ready to be handed over to the customer.

Improved Features for Greater Security

Traction batteries installed in these vehicles enable autonomous driving for a distance of at least 20 kilometers. The trolleybuses are also equipped with camera systems for better traffic monitoring, as well as the "Mirror Eye" system, which replaces the side exterior mirrors and ensures the safety of passengers and pedestrians. Last but not least, trolleybuses are equipped with sensors on the sides that monitor the movement of passengers in their surroundings.

The contract with the carrier Vilniaus viešasis transportas includes the delivery of 91 Škoda 32 Tr trolleybuses with a total value of over 52 million euros. The order also includes a contract for the supply of spare parts needed for the regular maintenance of trolleybuses for the first 5 years of operation. A fleet of trolleybuses will arrive in Vilnius between 2024 and 2025. Its presence will help maintain a cleaner and healthier environment for the residents of the Lithuanian capital.

 

Source: Škoda