Hübner to supply rubber gangway systems for new Skoda trams

Kassel, Germany – Huebner Group will be delivering 44 gangway systems for the new fleet of 22 trams to be manufacturered by Skoda Group for the German city of Kassel.

The German rail and bus components supplier said a prototype inspection was competed at its Kassel headquarters site and deliveries of parts are scheduled to beign in August.

Skoda plans to deliver the first new trams to the Kessel transport authority in mid-2026, said Huebner in a 3 July statement.

The vehicles are expected to enter regular service in 2027, operating on the city network and lines to Vellmar, Baunatal, and through the Losse Valley.

Each Huebner system will include outer corrugated bellows, inner bellows, turning plates, and both lower and upper articulations.

According to the supplier, these assemblies feature ‘high ease of maintenance and technical innovations’ to support the city’s "largest rolling-stock investment in years."

Huebner said the lower articulation is the latest model in its FX series, developed and built at its Kassel-Waldau site.

The upper articulations will come from Huebner affiliate, Hemscheidt Engineering in Feucht near Nuremberg.

The units feature integrated suspension elements designed to reduce weight and improve ride comfort and energy efficiency.