Prague Transport Company (DPP), Škoda Group and Solaris Bus & Coach have presented the double-articulated battery-powered trolleybus that will operate between Veleslavín Railway Station and Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG).
The new vehicle is 24.7 metres long and will be the longest trolleybuses ever used in public transport in the Czech Republic.
In total, DPP has ordered 20 of these vehicles, the first of which was presented at the Czechbus 2023 trade fair.
Once electrification of the route is complete, these new trolleybuses will operate on the Veleslavín Railway Station–Prague Airport line, which will change from bus line 119 to trolleybus line 59.
Petr Witowski, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of Prague Transport Company said:We are extremely pleased that everything is progressing on schedule with this electrification project. The construction of the infrastructure at the Řepy garage and the trolleybus line to Václav Havel Airport Prague is entering its final phase with completion scheduled for the end of February next year.
DPP’s order for 20 double-articulated trolleybuses is valued at 620 million CZK (25.3 million EUR).
Each vehicle will be able to accommodate up to 179 passengers, with 54 seated. Meanwhile, their 5-door design will enhance passenger flow and allow for the comfortable movement of passengers with luggage.
The buses will also feature cashless check-in technology, passenger information screens, automatic passenger counting, air conditioning and comprehensive monitoring systems.
Radek Svoboda, Managing Director Components & Bus Mobility at Škoda Group said:We are really excited about the longest trolleybus produced. It's not just another vehicle type and an expanded portfolio, it's also a symbol of the change in the comfort and capacity of travel. We are confident that passengers will appreciate the news. And there is no need to worry either for the trolleybus drivers themselves or for those passing. Despite its length, the double-articulated trolleybus handles very well, with steering and manoeuvring comparable to conventional articulated trolleybuses.
