Rhine-Neckar Tram (RNT) project obtained official approval for all three Škoda tram types and now can operate without restrictions the network of Rhein-Neckar-Verkehr GmbH (rnv).
The 30, 40, and 60-metre trams stand alone and as variants of operations are now officially cleared to operate on both tram and heavy railway infrastructure in the Rhine-Neckar region.
“The approval procedures for such a complex project as the procurement of the Rhine-Neckar Tram, a multi-length tram that operates both as a tram and a railway, are a mammoth task for everyone involved. From the very beginning, we placed great emphasis on the best possible and close coordination between our company, our partners at Škoda, and the authorities,” Martin in der Beek, the Technical Director of rnv, said.
Om April 16, 2025, the project partners met with the responsible authorities to conclude this part of the procurement project.
“Since its launch, the RNT has established itself as a reliable vehicle. It is thus making a decisive contribution to the stability and quality of public transport in our region. We have closely monitored the project from the very beginning, especially during some of the more difficult phases. Therefore, I am personally particularly pleased that the approval process ultimately went so smoothly,” Christian Specht, the Mayor of the City of Mannheim and Chairman of the rnv Supervisory Board, said.
Even though the completion of the approval process and the delivery of the last 40-meter-long vehicle represent important milestones, and the RNTs are now in operation throughout rnv’s transport area, the largest rail procurement project in rnv’s history is not yet complete, as more vehicles are to follow.
So far, rnv has received 37 40-metre RNTs, 9 30-metre RNTs, and two 60-metre RNTs. Ten more 60-metre RNTs are now being delivered and a further 56 30-meter-long vehicles will follow by the end of 2026. By then, rnv will have a total of 114 trains of the new type.
“I am pleased that the Rhine-Neckar Tram is now fully operational, including in Heidelberg city. It offers noticeable improvements for many people as it provides more space, better accessibility, and quieter, more comfortable operation,” the Mayor of Heidelberg, Raoul Schmidt-Lamontain, said.
“These long trains clearly demonstrate a major advantage of trams, as they can transport many passengers with just one person in the driver’s cab – a significant advantage over buses and even more so over cars. This also applies to the performance of both our rail network and intersections with motorised, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic. This advantage can be particularly utilised during rush hour, for example, over longer stretches of the Rhine-Haardt Railway. Recent surveys on mobility behavior have also shown that environmentally friendly modes of transport are playing an increasingly large role. We will be able to meet this trend, among other things, with the Rhine-Neckar Tram,” Alexander Thewalt, director of construction and environment for the city of Ludwigshafen, said.
Škoda Group and rnv signed a EUR 250 million contract in 2018 for the supply of 80 trams consisting of 31 30-metre-long trams, 37 40-metre long vehicles and 12 60-metre long vehicles. The contract also included an additional option for 34 vehicles exercised in 2024.
Type of vehicles:
- 30m ForCity Smart 36T;
- 40m ForCity Smart 37T; and
- 60m ForCity Smart 38T
The new vehicles are used to deliver services on the networks in Mannheim, Ludwigshafen, and Heidelberg.
“The completion of the approval process for all vehicle lengths – including dual operation on tram and railway infrastructure – confirms the technical maturity and reliability of the RNT platform. This milestone reflects not only the strong coordination of all project participants, but also the adaptability of our modular tram concept. The result is a fleet that meets the complex operational requirements of the Rhine-Neckar region both today and in the future,” explained Jan Christoph Harder, President of the Škoda Group’s Region West & North.
“Finalising the approval process across all vehicle lengths confirms the technical maturity and reliability of the RNT platform. It also reflects the strong coordination behind the project and the flexibility of our modular tram concept for the region of rnv and as efficient mobility solution for cities and regions in the DACH region and beyond,” Jan Christoph Harder, President of the Škoda Group’s Region West & North, said.
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