Škoda Group has been awarded a tender for the delivery of up to 70 trolleybuses for use in Estonia’s capital, Tallinn.
The 50 million EUR contract, which will see the company supply 22 18-metre 33Tr trolleybuses and 18 12-metre 32Tr trolleybuses to local carrier Aktsiaselts Tallinna Linnatransport, also includes total maintenance and servicing responsibilities for all vehicles delivered.
Part of one of a recent slew of Škoda contracts for the Baltic region, each model of trolleybus will be fitted with an alternative battery drive, which extends operational capabilities up to 25km without an overhead line.
Karel Majer, Chairman of the Board of Škoda Electric at Škoda Group, said:We are very pleased to have secured a new contract in Tallinn, a city where Škoda trolleybuses were once a cornerstone of public transport.
Our trolleybuses have proven to be a reliable and sustainable transportation solution in many European cities, and we are confident that the residents of Tallinn will be satisfied with our solutions.
The vehicles will also come equipped with air conditioning, modern information systems, Wi-Fi connectivity and a set of accessibility features, including a fully low-floor design, an electric ramp and sliding doors.
Propulsion of the vehicles is set to be handled by equipment based on IGBT elements, all of which will feature diagnostics capabilities, as well as remote access to vehicle systems.
Each 18-metre 33Tr vehicle will also be fitted with two driven axles, improving the vehicle’s suitability in winter conditions.
Delivery of the trolleybuses is expected to begin in the first half of 2026.
Kaido Padar, Board Member of Aktsiaselts Tallinna Linnatransport, said:When we temporarily suspended trolleybus operations in the past, many opinions emerged claiming that this mode of transport would never return. We are now pleased to confirm that trolleybuses are returning in a big way, as promised. In addition to completely new vehicles, the entire trolleybus infrastructure will also be modernized.
Now that the tender winner has been determined, we will begin preparations and establish a delivery schedule. We have already started dismantling the existing trolleybus network in Tallinn, and we are preparing some areas of the city for a transition to a trolleybus system without overhead lines, while in other areas, the existing overhead network is being modernized. This is an important step that will help make public transport in Tallinn more flexible and efficient.
