Škoda Group has won a contract to deliver 91 trolleybuses to transport operator, Vilniaus viešasis transportas in Vilnius, Lithuania.
This contract involves the delivery of 91 Škoda 32 Tr vehicles, valued at a total of over 52 million EUR.
Petr Novotný, President Components & Bus Mobility at Škoda Group said:I am immensely proud that we have once again confirmed our position as the leading trolleybus manufacturer in Europe.
The Baltics is one of our most important regions, as we have already delivered hundreds of vehicles here. We are thrilled to be able to contribute with our products to create a greener and more comfortable public transport system for the residents of Lithuania.
Alongside operating on the city’s overhead wires, the new twelve-metre vehicles will be equipped with a traction battery to allow for independent driving over a distance of at least 20 kilometres.
This battery can be recharged directly from the catenary while the bus is in motion or at the depot.
Darius Aleknavičius, Director General of Vilnius Public Transport said:Trolleybuses with traction batteries and dynamic catenary charging are a highly efficient technology with huge economic and environmental potential. Another distinct advantage is that these vehicles do not require additional electric charging infrastructure, which is required for electric buses.
Also, the new vehicles will significantly reduce existing repair costs and passenger inconvenience, thus ensuring faster, more timely and comfortable journeys for both the company’s drivers and our passengers. This type of trolleybus is more manoeuvrable, more comfortable, and can bypass obstacles not only at junctions but also on surrounding streets if necessary, making the public transport system even more flexible and efficient.
The new trolleybuses will be delivered throughout 2024 and 2025.
They will be equipped with advanced air conditioning in the passenger compartment and in the driver’s cab and will also feature a comprehensive information system and a passenger Wi-Fi connection.
