Škoda Group has won a tender to supply up to 70 trolleybuses for the carrier Aktsiaselts Tallinna Linnatransport, which provides transportation in the Estonian capital. According to the signed contract, the Czech company will deliver 22 eighteen-metre 33Tr trolleybuses and 18 twelve-metre 32Tr trolleybuses. The contract value, which includes comprehensive service and maintenance for up to 400,000 km and the option to deliver 30 more trolleybuses exceeds EUR 50 million.
The vehicles will feature air conditioning, a fully low-floor design, and modern information systems, including Wi-Fi connectivity. To facilitate easier and quicker boarding, they will feature sliding doors and an electric ramp for the boarding of individuals in wheelchairs and with strollers. The articulated trolleybuses 33Tr will have two driven axles, allowing for better traction in winter conditions and improving the vehicle’s manoeuvrability. Propulsion will be driven by modern and economical electrical equipment based on IGBT elements, complete with diagnostics and remote access to vehicle systems. The bodies of the new battery trolleybuses will be sub-supplied by Czech manufacturer SOR. All vehicles are equipped with powerful traction batteries to allow up to 40 km off the existing overhead network.
Tallinn completely discontinued its remaining trolleybus operations on 1 November 2024 in order to initiate the comprehensive modernisation of its systems and fleet, wie reported here: LINK. In future, the battery-powered trolleybuses that have now been ordered will also travel longer routes away from the overhead line network, with the aim of expanding operations to other routes in the future. There is also an option for a further 30 vehicles.
Almost all of the trolleybuses used on the last four routes are being sold to Chisinau in Moldova. These are 17 articulated and 21 solo Solaris trolleybuses from the years 2002 to 2010. One solo and one articulated trolleybus with traction batteries on board will remain on the network in Tallinn for test runs, together with 2 museum trolleybuses (Skoda 14Tr no. 307 and Solaris Ganz no. 326).
The first new Škoda 32 Tr/33Tr trolleybuses are expected to arrive in Tallinn in the first half of 2026. The deployment of new trolleybuses will contribute to the implementation of Tallinn’s Mobility Development Plan, which supports sustainable and modern urban transport.
07.01.2025
