First Škoda ForCity Classic tram unveiled for new Bergamo T2 line ahead of 2026 testing phase

by Stefano Alfano

Yesterday morning, at the TEB depot in Ranica (Bergamo), the official unveiling of the first tram for the new T2 Bergamo – Villa d’Almè tram line took place (we wrote about the project in 2023).

The event was attended by the Mayor of Bergamo, Elena Carnevali; the President of the Province of Bergamo, Gianfranco Gafforelli; the Lombardy Regional Councillor for Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Franco Lucente; and the Consul General of the Czech Republic in Milan, Ivan Počuch.

This was an important occasion, during which the centrality and importance of a transport system that will swiftly connect the city and the province were reaffirmed. This system forms a network spanning approximately 20 km, with the potential for future extensions, and ensures convenient connections with the railway and road transport systems.

Focus on the trams, by Skoda

Service on the T2 line will be provided by 10 new trams of the ForCity Classic platform, built by Skoda. The new trams are 33.5 metres long, with a maximum capacity of 281 passengers, 64 of whom can be seated. The maximum speed will be 70 km/h. On the most built-up section between Ponteranica and Bergamo, the maximum speed will be 50 km/h, dropping to 15 km/h near road crossings.

Numbered 101 to 110, the new trams will join the 14 already Sirio Model in service on Line T1, forming a total fleet of 24 trams that will be able to operate on both lines. The first tram arrived in Bergamo a few days ago. From April 2026, trials and tests are scheduled to begin in preparation for the pre-operational phase and subsequent authorisation for entry into service.

The new trams have been designed by the Škoda Group in accordance with the strictest European standards, and safety is ensured by state-of-the-art technologies, including an advanced anti-collision system capable of constantly monitoring the space in front of the tram and helping to prevent accidents.

The new trams are also equipped with remote diagnostic systems, external and internal cameras, a passenger counting device, an audio-video information system with a TFT display, and electronic ticketing devices.

Looking inside the new trams for Bergamo T2 line

As mentioned, each tram has 66 seats, of which 64 are fixed and 2 are fold-down seats in the spaces reserved for wheelchairs. The seats are vandal-proof and made from a non-slip material.

All seats near the aisle are fitted with handrails. The four upper seats above the bogie, near the aisle, are fitted with supports for the vertical handrail.

Each vehicle has two spaces designated for passengers with reduced mobility, which can be identified by a pictogram on the floor and on the window on the outside. These spaces are equipped with a backrest and a seatbelt system, a handrail to assist with boarding, and an intercom system for communicating with the driver.

The tram floor is made from durable materials with excellent water resistance. To facilitate cleaning, the floor covering extends to the sides of the vehicle. All interior cladding consists of moulded panels, using materials resistant to vandalism and wear, and all surfaces are coated with long-lasting anti-graffiti paint.

The handrails are made of brushed stainless steel. Their positioning and shape eliminate the risk of injury to passengers. The layout of the handrails allows all passengers to hold on during the journey.

The T2 Line: Bergamo – Villa d’Almè

The new tram line from Bergamo to Villa d’Almè runs along the route of the former Brembana Valley Railway, passing through five municipalities (Bergamo, Ponteranica, Sorisole, Almè, Villa d’Almè) and serving a population of over 240,000 inhabitants.

The route stretches for 11.5 km and is flanked by a new 10-km cycle path, running from BG San Fermo to Villa d’Almè. In the first urban section, the Brembana Valley tramway shares the route and three of the 17 planned stops with the T1 line, which runs from Bergamo to Albino: these are the Bergamo FS, BG Borgo Palazzo and BG San Fermo stops. From the next new stop, BG Bronzetti Arena, which serves as an interchange between the two tram lines, the T2 continues along the route of the old Brembana Valley railway, decommissioned in 1966, which at the time reached San Pellegrino and Piazza Brembana.

The route runs on a dedicated and protected right-of-way with 23 level crossings, including road and pedestrian crossings. The entire route is double-tracked, with the exception of the short 187-metre section of the Ramera tunnel in Ponteranica. The journey time from Bergamo to Villa d’Almè is 30 minutes.

The timetable includes winter and summer schedules – Monday to Friday, Saturdays and public holidays – as for Line T1, and the service runs from 6.00 am to 9.30 pm, with the possibility of extending the evening service hours.

During peak hours, with trams operating at 80% capacity, an estimated 15,000 passengers are expected daily. The service comprises 150 journeys and 1,700 km travelled per day, totalling approximately 500,000 km per year and, when fully operational, over 4 million passengers carried annually.

The trams on the T2 line will be based at the new depot in Petosino, which is currently nearing completion.

Seven park-and-ride facilities will be built along the route, providing a total of 513 parking spaces. The facilities will be located near the BG De Gasperi, BG S. Antonio, Ramera, Paladina, Almè Volta, Villa d’Almè Mazzi and Villa d’Almè stops.

Commercial service is expected to begin within the year.

The presentation of the new vehicles

Filippo Simonetti, President of TEB Tramvie Elettriche Bergamasche:, stated: “The supply of the new trams, the result of a European tender, confirms the international scope of the TEB project. The collaboration with Škoda links Bergamo’s industrial tradition with one of Europe’s leading players in the rail sector. This is an initiative that goes beyond the technological aspect and reinforces the industrial value of the project. The T2 combines mobility, innovation and regional development, and is a concrete building block in the European project in which we are proud to participate. Thanks to the commitment of the Ministry, the Lombardy Region, the Province and the Municipality of Bergamo, Our region is moving towards a model of sustainable mobility, in line with the innovation agenda of both the country and Europe”.

Gianni Scarfone, Chief Executive Officer of TEB – Tramvie Elettriche Bergamasche, said: “Today’s event marks a crucial and highly symbolic milestone in the process of constructing the new T2 line and extending the new tram network across the Bergamo area. For us, the men and women of TEB, this is a moment not without emotion and, at the same time, a source of satisfaction and pride. A modern tram, equipped with the most advanced technological solutions, designed to high standards of quality and passenger comfort, manufactured by a leading European company in the rail and tram sector such as Skoda. A decisive step in the construction of the new system, which sees TEB working alongside the consortium of companies leading this project: Milesi Sergio for infrastructure and civil engineering works, GCF Generale Costruzioni Ferroviarie for trackwork and installations, and Skoda for the rolling stock.”

Zdeněk Sváta, Member of the Board of Directors and COO (Chief Operations Officer) of the Škoda Group: “The presentation of the first tram for Bergamo is an important milestone for us. The project confirms that the Škoda Group can offer its Italian customers modern, safe transport solutions that meet the needs of both operators and passengers.”

Olesea Lachi, Vice President South & East Europe of the Škoda Group: “The established ‘ForCity Classic’ tram platform, on which this project is based, embodies modern tram technology, and the vehicle has been adapted to Bergamo’s requirements so that it can operate on local infrastructure, including urban, suburban and tunnel sections.”