First of new tram fleet arrives in Cottbus

The east German city of Cottbus (population 100 200) took delivery of the first of 22 new trams from Skoda of Plzen on 6 June. Originally seven were ordered in 2021, but this was increased to 22 in October 2022 when new state funding became available. 

 

The three-section air-conditioned single-ended 70% low-floor trams are of the 47T ForCity Plus model, 30.8m long and 2.4m wide, are part of a joint order with Brandenburg and Frankfurt-an-der-Oder, costing EUR 2.68M each. They will replace Tatra KT4D trams built in 1981-88 that were retrofitted with a short low-floor centre section. 

 

Metre-gauge trams have operated in Cottbus since 1903 and today the 20.1km (12.5-mile) system is worked by four lines using 22 trams.