Dopravný podnik Bratislava (DPB) has completed a comprehensive overhaul of its first low-floor tram, a Škoda 29T ForCity Plus bearing the identification number 7426, according to the transit operator. The refurbishment program encompasses structural repairs, mechanical upgrades, and technology modernization across 60 of the oldest low-floor vehicles in the network.
Comprehensive Overhaul of Škoda 29T Tram 7426
The overhaul of tram 7426 involved a complete exterior respray, enhanced anti-corrosion protection, and structural body repairs, as stated by DPB. Inside the vehicle, technicians replaced the flooring, serviced the air conditioning and heating systems, and installed a new folding ramp intended to assist passengers using wheelchairs or parents traveling with strollers.
Mechanical updates targeted the undercarriages and propulsion systems. According to the transport company, the tram received new shock absorbers and suspension components. Technicians performed a complete overhaul on the hydraulic braking system, disc brakes, gearboxes, and all six traction motors.
Rigorous Testing and Fleet-Wide Modernization Schedule
To ensure structural integrity, the operator subjected the undercarriages and wheelsets to defectoscopic testing, a method used to detect microscopic material flaws invisible to the naked eye. Workers also inspected the electrical equipment, information displays, and camera systems, alongside updating the software on the control units. Before reentering passenger service, the vehicle completed full functional and safety trials.
„Velká oprava není jen technická povinnost, je to investice do každodenní cesty našich cestujících na další roky,“ stated Martin Rybanský, chairman of the board of directors at DPB. Rybanský noted that a second tram is already being assembled at the depot.
Did you know? The overhaul initiative will eventually impact a total of 60 unidirectional Škoda 29T and bidirectional Škoda 30T low-floor trams. DPB scheduled the work to ensure the refurbishment process does not reduce the daily number of deployed transit connections. Every tram must undergo this extensive renewal process after reaching a specific mileage threshold.
The Škoda 29T and 30T tram models originally entered passenger service in Bratislava in the spring of 2015. The first bidirectional Škoda 30T began operating on line 4 on April 25, while the unidirectional Škoda 29T entered service on April 28. This latest maintenance milestone coincides with broader upgrades to Bratislava’s public transit network, which recently integrated eighteen diesel buses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which tram model underwent the first major overhaul in Bratislava?
The initial complete refurbishment was performed on a Škoda 29T ForCity Plus single-direction tram with the identification number 7426, according to Dopravný podnik Bratislava.
How many trams are included in the DPB major repair program?
The modernization program targets a total of 60 of the oldest low-floor vehicles, encompassing both unidirectional Škoda 29T and bidirectional Škoda 30T trams, as reported by the transit authority.
When did the Škoda 29T and 30T trams enter service in Bratislava?
The fleet debuted in the spring of 2015, with the Škoda 30T starting passenger operations on April 25 and the Škoda 29T following on April 28.
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