Škoda wins contract for Uppsala’s new tram fleet and upkeep

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Škoda Group has secured a high-profile contract to supply and maintain a new generation of trams for the planned light rail system in Uppsala, marking a significant expansion of the Czech-based manufacturer’s presence in the Nordic region.

Major Nordic contract for new Uppsala tramway

According to publicly available information from the manufacturer and trade media, the contract covers an initial order of 20 bi-directional trams for Uppsala, with options that could raise the total fleet to as many as 38 vehicles. The package combines vehicle delivery with long-term maintenance and overhaul, giving the regional authority a full lifecycle solution for the new network.

Published coverage indicates that the total value of the agreement, including options, maintenance, high-value components and technical support, could reach up to 270 million euros. The deal has been described in regional business reports as one of Škoda Group’s most significant Scandinavian wins to date and an important reference for further growth in Northern Europe.

The trams will form the backbone of Uppsala’s future light rail system, which is being built as an entirely new mode of public transport for the fast-growing university city. Planning documents show that the first phase of the network is expected to span about 17 kilometres of double track with around 22 stops, linking expansion areas, university and hospital districts, major hubs and Uppsala Central Station.

Local authorities have framed the light rail scheme as a cornerstone of long-term urban development and climate policy, aimed at shifting more daily journeys from private cars to electrified public transport. The Škoda contract is therefore seen as central to both transport capacity and emissions targets for the wider Uppsala region.

Trams tailored for Nordic conditions and passenger comfort

Technical information published by Škoda Group indicates that the Uppsala vehicles will be based on the company’s proven Tampere tram platform, already in service in Finland. The model for Uppsala will be around 38 metres long, fully low-floor and bi-directional, characteristics intended to maximise accessibility and operational flexibility in a dense urban environment.

Capacity figures released by the manufacturer show space for about 186 passengers at a planning standard of 2.5 passengers per square metre, including 80 fixed seats. Multiple wide double doors on each side are designed to speed up boarding and alighting at busy stops, supporting high throughput on corridors expected to see strong commuter and student demand.

Interior layouts highlighted in the project material emphasise step-free access, generous circulation areas, large windows and adjustable lighting. Reserved spaces for wheelchairs, prams and other mobility aids are intended to ensure that the new fleet can cater to a broad range of users in all seasons, including during periods of heavy snowfall or rain.

The Uppsala design is also presented as a visual symbol for the new line, with exterior styling meant to fit both the city’s historic core and newer development districts. The vehicle front shape and exterior information displays are being promoted as part of a broader focus on safety and wayfinding in mixed traffic and pedestrian-rich areas.

Digital safety features and advanced control systems

Project descriptions underline a strong focus on digital safety and driver assistance. The trams are expected to include Škoda’s latest anti-collision system, which uses sensors to detect vehicles, pedestrians and other obstacles ahead, with the aim of reducing the risk and severity of incidents in complex city streets.

Information provided by the manufacturer further notes the inclusion of an intelligent speed management system that can automatically limit speed in curves and other designated sections of track. This technology is intended to support consistent driving behaviour, reduce wear on infrastructure and rolling stock, and improve ride comfort for passengers.

On board, modern passenger information systems will deliver real-time stop announcements and disruption messages, supplemented by clear visual displays. USB charging points and climate control are planned across the fleet, aligning the new system with comfort standards increasingly common in recent European tram projects.

The driver’s cab is being designed in line with current European standards for visibility, ergonomics and crashworthiness. According to the published concept, attention is being paid to different driver body sizes and long shifts in challenging winter conditions, reflecting operational experience from other Nordic fleets supplied by Škoda Group.

Scope of maintenance and lifecycle services

A notable element of the Uppsala deal is the long-term service package attached to the rolling stock. Information released by the company outlines a 12-year maintenance agreement and a 12-year overhaul agreement, both with options for extension. These arrangements cover not only routine servicing but also major mid-life overhauls and key components, aiming to keep availability high over the contract period.

Such combined supply and maintenance contracts have become increasingly common in European light rail, as operators seek predictable lifecycle costs and guaranteed performance levels. For Uppsala, bundling maintenance with the initial procurement is presented as a way to ensure that the new depot, staff training and spare parts logistics are aligned from the start of operations.

Škoda Group’s wider service portfolio, detailed in its corporate materials, includes diagnostics, remote monitoring and optimisation of vehicle fleets. Applying these tools to the Uppsala trams is expected to support condition-based maintenance strategies and minimise unplanned downtime on what will be a critical urban corridor.

For the manufacturer, the agreement strengthens recurring revenue streams alongside one-off vehicle deliveries. For the public transport authority, it offers a single point of responsibility for both the performance of the trams and the quality of their upkeep over more than a decade.

Strengthening Škoda’s footprint in the Nordic rail market

The Uppsala contract builds on Škoda Group’s established activities across the Nordic region. The company, through its Finnish subsidiary Škoda Transtech, already produces and maintains trams for Helsinki and Tampere and supplies rolling stock adapted to demanding winter climates. It also operates a production site in Otanmäki in northern Finland that has become a hub for its Scandinavian projects.

In Sweden, Škoda is already present through tram modernisation in Gothenburg and a contract to supply new vehicles for the Saltsjöbanan light rail line serving parts of the Stockholm area. Industry observers view the Uppsala win as a further step in consolidating the group’s position in a market that prioritises climate goals, high technical standards and strong reliability.

For Uppsala, partnering with a supplier that has recent Nordic references is considered important, given local expectations for year-round performance in snow, ice and fluctuating temperatures. The Tampere-based platform selected for the new fleet has already been tested in similar conditions, which industry coverage suggests may have helped reduce perceived technical risk in the procurement.

As construction progresses on the new tramway, the Škoda contract provides one of the clearest indicators of how the future system will look and operate. The combination of vehicle supply, digital safety systems and long-term maintenance is positioned as a foundation for delivering high-capacity, fully electric public transport to one of Sweden’s fastest-growing urban regions.