Modertrans Poznań increases order backlog and targets new markets

Polish tram manufacturer Modertrans Poznań continues to consolidate its position in the domestic market for light rail vehicles. Several ongoing orders, new vehicle variants and initial international ambitions are currently shaping the company’s development. Following the early completion of deliveries of the new Moderus Gamma series for Poznań, deliveries of the new vehicles for Szczecin have now begun – despite the snow and ice. An overview.

Further trams for Łódź

At the beginning of 2026, Modertrans signed a major supply contract with MPK Łódź for 15 new Moderus Gamma LF 11 AC low-floor trams. The approximately 32-metre-long vehicles are fully low-floor and designed for modern light rail operation. They feature improved passenger information, high accessibility and modern systems such as collision warning technology and energy recovery. The contract also includes an option for a further 15 vehicles, which can be called up without a new tender.

The order follows on from earlier deliveries of 30 LF 06 AC gamma vehicles, which are already in service in Łódź and are contributing to the gradual renewal of the tram fleet there. We reported on this here:
https://www.urban-transport-magazine.com/erster-modertrans-moderus-gamma-in-lodz/

MPK Poznań operations: Delivery completed ahead of schedule

Modertrans also achieved an important milestone in its home city of Poznań: the delivery of 30 Moderus Gamma LF 04 AC BD trams to the municipal operator MPK Poznań was completed at the end of December 2025, around six months ahead of schedule. Financed in part by funds from the Polish recovery plan, the fully low-floor vehicles are gradually replacing older high-floor Kostnal 105N and Düwag GT8 (ex-Frankfurt O-type trams) trams, improving comfort, capacity and accessibility across the network.

The early completion is considered remarkable in the European tram industry and underlines the manufacturer’s production and project expertise.

The publicly announced funding amounts to PLN 215.5 million, which corresponds to 85% of the total contract value. This results in a derived total contract value of approximately PLN 253.5 million. The average cost per vehicle is therefore around PLN 8.45 million, which corresponds to a rough conversion of around €1.9 to €2.0 million per vehicle. No prices have been published for the vehicles for Łódź and Szczecin.

Szczecin receives its first Gamma tram

Szczecin is also about to introduce new Modertrans vehicles. On 28 January 2026, despite snowfall and freezing rain, the first of the new Moderus Gamma LF 12 AC BD trams was unloaded in Szczecin. The transport company Tramwaje Szczecińskie is receiving twelve Moderus Gamma trams. Once approval has been completed, the vehicles will be transferred to the Pogodno depot, where training for driving personnel will take place. Passenger service is currently expected to begin in spring 2026, with full delivery of all twelve vehicles scheduled for completion by the end of May.

The approximately 32-metre-long, three-part, fully low-floor vehicles are equipped with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, USB charging ports, modern passenger information systems and comprehensive accessibility features, among other things.

Tender in Gdańsk: Modertrans fights for participation

In parallel with its ongoing projects, Modertrans is seeking to participate in an important tender in Gdańsk. The local operator, Gdańskie Autobusy i Tramwaje (GAiT), plans to procure 20 bidirectional trams with a length of 45 to 47 metres, with an option for additional vehicles. The five-section large-capacity trams are intended for the planned GPW route and would be among the longest trams in Poland.

However, Modertrans initially felt disadvantaged by the tender conditions. In particular, the manufacturer criticised the required financial capacity of at least PLN 100 million (around €21 million) as disproportionately high. The company therefore lodged a complaint with the competent public procurement tribunal and requested that the threshold be lowered to PLN 50 million. Modertrans also criticised formal incompleteness in the EU-wide tender notice. The aim is to open up competition and enable participation in the procedure.

Product strategy: Longer gamma variants and export ambitions

Regardless of the outcome of the Gdańsk proceedings, Modertrans is continuing to develop its Gamma platform. In future, it plans to offer not only the tried-and-tested 32-metre variants, but also trams with lengths of over 40 metres to meet the needs of growing networks and heavily frequented lines. Most recently, competitor Pesa won an order for innovative 42-metre-long trams in Kraków.

In addition, the company is increasingly exploring export opportunities, including to Germany, Czechia and Ukraine. Modertrans sees medium-term potential there for modern, cost-efficient low-floor vehicles manufactured in Poland. In 2024 – 2025, Modertrans delivered a total of four Moderus Gamma LF 10 AC BD to the small tramway in Woltersdorf near Berlin.

Outlook

Modertrans Poznań is therefore in a phase of strategic decision-making. While the Moderus Gamma series is already in operation or about to be introduced in several Polish cities, the tender in Gdańsk will determine whether the manufacturer can also gain a foothold in the segment for particularly large tram vehicles. At the same time, product development and market research indicate that Modertrans intends to grow beyond the domestic market in the medium term.

Table: Technical data for current Moderus Gamma projects