Czechia, Germany: The company will refurbish 79 three-car vehicles, extending their service life for a further 15 years.
The project will last until 2028 at the company’s plant in Ostrava, Czechia. Four trams have already been delivered to the plant and are scheduled for return to the customer by the end of the year.
The door systems of the trams will be upgraded to include electric drives instead of electric ones. The trams will be fitted with electric-hydraulic brakes, renewed interior elements, control systems, lighting, heating and air-conditioning equipment.
Rendering of the refurbished M31 for Gothenburg. Source: Škoda Group
The contract for refurbishing of the entire fleet of M31 trams, worth €79 mln, was signed between the Czech manufacturer and the Swedish operator Västtrafik in 2022. The trams were manufactured by the Swedish company ASEA between 1984 and 1992, with a low-floor section added between 1998 and 2003. The overhaul, which took place in 2011–2017, included the replacement of electronic components. The work was carried out at Ekova Electric in Ostrava, which was acquired by Škoda Group in 2021.
