Škoda Group has been awarded the contract to supply the first fleet of trams for the new light rail system planned for Uppsala, Sweden. The agreement covers an initial order for 20 bi-directional trams with an option for a further 18 vehicles. Including the optional vehicles, maintenance, overhaul services and technical support, the contract has a maximum value of €270 million. Total investment of the project is expected to be approximately €450 million. Uppsala has some 150,000 inhabitants and is well-known for being Scandinavia’s oldest university city.

The trams will operate on Uppsala’s new tramway network, which is currently under development by Region Uppsala and Uppsala Municipality. The planned system will comprise approximately 17.6 km of double track with 22 stops, linking Uppsala Central station with new residential and commercial developments, the university and hospital areas, and other major destinations. The line is intended to provide additional public transport capacity as the city continues to expand.

Uppsala already had a small, four-line tramway system between 1906 and 1953.

The vehicles will be derived from the tram type already supplied by Škoda for Tampere, Finland, but adapted to Uppsala’s operational requirements. Each tram will be 38 metres long, fully low-floor and bi-directional, allowing operation without turning loops at terminal points. Passenger capacity is specified at 186, including 80 seats.

The layout provides three double-leaf doors and two single-leaf doors on each side to facilitate passenger boarding and alighting. Interior features will include dedicated spaces for wheelchairs and pushchairs, passenger information displays, USB charging points and air conditioning. The design is also intended to meet current accessibility requirements.

The vehicles will be equipped with an obstacle detection and anti-collision assistance system intended to reduce the risk of collisions with road traffic, pedestrians and other obstacles. An automatic speed control function will also be installed to limit speeds in curves and other predefined sections of the route.

According to the manufacturer, the final vehicle design will be refined in consultation with future operators and users. The driver’s cab is also expected to be developed in cooperation with operating staff in order to meet current European ergonomic and safety standards.

The contract includes a maintenance agreement covering 12 years, together with a separate overhaul programme of the same duration. Both agreements include an option for a one-year extension. The overhaul package covers both the vehicles and a number of major components.

The Uppsala tramway is the largest new urban rail projects currently under development in Sweden. Once completed, it will introduce tram operation to the city for the first time and is expected to become an important element of Uppsala’s future public transport network.

All pictures: © Škoda Group