URBAN TRANSPORT NEWS 1/2000

Brno: New trolleybus route in Veslarska st. was opened on 4th December 1999. It is the shortest connection between new depot in Komin and important trolleybus hub on south of city. Since 15th December is this route used regularly for access from/to depot. Planned new trolleybus line to Jundrov (this new route goes through this part of city) was not established; main reason is lack of trolleybuses. However, there is possible to travel for passenger “legally” through this route, as trolleybuses that goes from/to depot takes passengers.
14Tr trolleybuses No. 3169, 3171, 3177, 3183 and 3185 were withdrawn.
Last two KT8D5N tramcars (with low floor middle section) were delivered; they have No. 1734 and 1735.

Jablonec nad Nisou: 100 years of urban transport will be celebrated on 6th and 7th February 2000. At this time, days of open door in former tramway (today bus) depot in Prazska st.are planned with varied historic buses from TM Brno. There is also hoped (but not confirmed) to present Liberec’s museum car No.88 on interurban route to Jablonec during that time.

Liberec: All three T3 tramcars purchased from Most (ex.256, 221 and 226) are prepared for service in Liberec. They will have No. 42,45 a 48 (in that order). In all cases it is a replacement of old tramcar with same No. Former cars 42 and 48 will be scrapped, while No.45 will be refurbished as work car. All these cars should serve 1000 mm gauge.
From central workshop of DP Ostrava (in Martinov) were returned refurbished tramcars No.72-75 (for 1435 mm gauge). Can be said, that refurbishment program in Liberec is close to end. Almost all cars are refurbished or modernized. There is now need to renew work cars, one of them will be T-2 (ex.Ostrava 640, 1435 mm) and already named No. 45 (for 1000 mm). On other hand, current work car No.213 will be restored (again in Ostrava) back for passenger service as a replacement for T-3 car No.36.
Low floor car RT6N1 No.84 was returned to CKD back in November. Although there were sooner plans to obtain new low floor car from CKD, there was now declared that new cars would not be purchased prior 2001.

Most: No major changes were done in that small tramway network in last time. Only one change is rebuilding of standard T3 tramcars to T3M3 type, with new electric equipment (based on IGBT technology) TV-14, cars have also slightly refurbished interior of vehicle.
In 1999, cars No. 294-298 (built 1972) were withdrawn and scrapped; three cars were also sold to Liberec (see here). At 31.12.1999, following tramcars are in service here
T3, No.203, 207, 208, 219. All three cars are by papers T-1 cars with new body from 1970. These cars are in service less often, and is expected, that they will be scrapped after finishing of refurbishment program T3M3.
T3SUCS -210,211,214,223,224,225,227,228,229,230,231,232,233,234,235,238,249,250,251,
252,253,259,260,264,266,269,274,276,277,278,279,284,300,301,305,307 – standard T3SUCS cars built 1982-1987
T3SUCS that are currently modenised to T3M3: 204,236,242,271,308,310
T3M3 – already modenised cars: 205,222,237,240,241,243,244,245,246,247,
248,254,257,261,275,282,283,302,303,304,306,309,311,312,313
Work cars: T3 No.206, built 1968, T3 No.263, built 1970,
Historic vehicle: T6B5 No.273, built 1976 (prototype)
Purchase of new cars is not expected in close future

Olomouc: Additional two cars Škoda - Inekon LTM 10.08 (Astra) were delivered. First one is No. 203 (delivered 2.12.99, in service since14.12.) second one is No.204 (delivered 13.12.1999, in service since 28.12.). Both cars were delivered in standard city livery, advertisement livery is not expected. All cars should be in service on line 1, so is possible that this line will be served exclusively by low floor tramcars (as first tramway line in Czech Republic). 10.11.99 was also delivered long-expected modernised T3 No.161. This car was since 19.3.99 in central workshop of DP Ostrava in Martinov. Car has now new electric equipment TV14, half-pantograph Lekov, external and internal passenger informations system BUSE, new seats for passenger and driver, etc. In early January 2000 similar car No. 152 is expected. These cars should be in service on line 5.
Some old T3 cars should be withdrawn soon. There is hope to preserve as museum vehicle car No.131 (now oldest T-3 car), but there is problem with lack of space in tramway depot. Even museum car No.16 is not presented in Olomouc any more, but is now stored in Technical museum in Brno!
 
Ostrava: There is already 9 low floor cars Škoda - Inekon LTM 10.08 Astra No. 1201-1209. All cars are in depot Kriva. Ostrava is now city with biggest amount of low-floor tramcars. Another three cars (1210-1212) are ordered for year 2000. They would also like to test planned longer version of this car, on other hand there is no interest for double-ended version.
Cars can be seen mostly on lines No.1 and 12 (usually up to 7 cars). On timetable, there is noted, that on certain time, arrival of low-floor tramway is guaranteed.
On 14th December was opened new tramway route on Mistecka ulice between Vitkovice-Vysoke pece and Moravska st. New route is double-track and is located on right side of Mistecka ulice. Thre are two stops, Cesky Dum and Dul Jeremenko. On crossing on Moravska st. there is full triangle that connects this new route with route to railway station Vitkovice. Crossing in Vitkovice-Vysoke pece was not fully completed yet, because there is also construction of new complicated street crossing. For that reason, tramway service between Vitkovice-Vysoke pece and Mirove namesti was not restored yet, tram lines uses as replacement route across Marianske namesti. It is expected to open this crossing in May 2000.
Regular service stared on next day. Two new lines 1 and 10 were given into service as a connection of housing estate Dubina on south of city with city center. Line No.10 is in service in rush hours only, and this line does not stop on two stations, it has shorter journey time. At same time, line routing of other lines was also slightly altered, so following lines are here now in service:
1 Hlavní nádraží – Vysoké pece – Hrabůvka – Dubina Daily 5-23 hod In workdays (except rush hours) certain trams ends already on stop Hotelovy Dum Jindrich
2 Hlavní nádraží – Vítkovice – Zábřeh vodárna – Výškovice Daily 0-24 hod Until May 2000 through Marianske Namesti
3 Výškovice – Vítkovice – Mírové nám. – Poruba vozovna – Vřesinská Daily 5-23 hod
4 Hlučínská – Nám.Republiky – Nádraží Svinov – Martinov  Daily 0-24 hod
5 Vřesinská – Kyjovice-Budišovice Daily 3-23 hod
6 Martinov – Nádraží Svinov – Nám.Republiky – Výstaviště Daily, only 2-3 rides in each direction daily
7 Výškovice – Zábřeh vodárna – Nádr.Svinov – Poruba vozovna – Vřesinská Daily 0-24
8 Hlavní nádraží – Nám.Republiky – Nádraží Svinov – Vřesinská Daily 5-23
9 Nová Huť – Výstaviště – Nádr.Svinov – Vozovna Poruba Daily 0-24 Night service extended to Vresina.
10 Výstaviště – Vysoké pece – Dubina Rush hours onl.
11 Výstaviště – Mariánské n. – Nová Ves – Zábřeh Daily 5-23
12 Hlučínská – Mariánské nám. – Nová Ves – Dubina Daily 0-24
13 Hranečník – Nám.Republiky -  Mírové nám. - Zábřeh Daily 0-24 Until May 2000 through Marianske Namesti
14 Výstaviště – Mírové náměstí – Hrabůvka – Dubina Daily 5-23 Until May 2000 through Marianske Namesti
15 Výstaviště – Mírové náměstí – Hrabůvka – Nádraží Vítkovice Daily 5-23 Until May 2000 through Marianske Namesti
16 Není v provozu
17 Dubina – Nová Ves – Nádr.Svinov – Poruba vozovna - Vřesinská Daily 5-23
18 Dubina – Nádraží Vítkovice – Nová Ves – Nádr.Svinov – Martinov  Daily 5-23
19 Dubina – Mariánské nám. – Nádr.Svinov – Vozovna Poruba Daily 0-24 Night service routed to Martinov instead of Poruba

In trolleybus depot was transpored from Skoda Ostrov remaining prototype of trolleybus 17Tr. This car will now be rebuild to car No.3903 and then introduced with passenger service. In Ostrava, there are now almost all existing cars from unsuccesfull project bus B831/trolleybus 17Tr (that was already stopped in 1989!). Only exception is prototype of bus B-831 that is now fully operational in Technical museum in Brno. Except mentioned planned 3903 car there are cars 3901 (1st prototype of 17Tr), car 3902 (hybrid prototype bus/trolleybus, later tested in Hradec Kralove as TR831), and prototype of bus B-831 that is used as source of spared parts for these three cars. There is also need to mention, that cars 3901 and 3902 have electric equipment from 14Tr type, so is expected that same method will be used for 3903 car.
Former trolleybus Skoda 9Tr No.36 from Opava that is also stored in trolleybus depot will be soon sold to polish capital Warsaw for group of trolleybus enthusiasts! In Ostrava, there is also stored articulated 15Tr trolleybus that was purchased, but not paid by Slovakian city Zilina.
For next year, purchase of additional two cars Skoda 21Tr (3305-3306) is planned. On articulated 15Tr cars is in progress soft refurbishment, car No.3512 has already new body similar to 15TrM type.
New “line” No.670 was established, but it is not “new” line, but just line symbol for regular trains of Czech state railways between Ostrava and Bohumin. These trains are now fully integrated into urban transport system. At same day, service on parallel bus lines No.74 and 75 was stopped.
Museum collection was extended by bus Ikarus 280 No.4070 (double-door version) and bus trailer B-40 (that might be coupled also with trolleybus Skoda 8Tr!). Company also has plans to allow public access to collection of museum vehicles, but details were not yet decided.

Plzeň: Another low-floor Astra trams No.304-307 were delivered. Service of these cars is expected since January 2000.

Praha: Second prototype of T-2 type No.6002 was finally completed in central workshop in Hostivar and will be shortly transported into urban transport museum where it should be displayed since opening of 2000 season.
On Ukrajine there was sold about 15 Ikarus buses. Their destination is formally Lwow,.
Since 1st December 1999 is first bus line 193 served exclusively by low-floor buses
Between 31.12.1999 12.00 and 1.1.2000 12.00 hod was free service in all tramways, buses and metros. At this day, service of metro was extended till 2.00 morning

Zlín: Transport company Zlin-Otrkovice, at this time last company with service of Skoda Sanos trolleybuses on area of former Czechoslovakia published plan for purchase of new trolleybuses for upcoming years. There is no interest to purchase used trolleybuses from Porto, and also they have no interest to buy another 14TrM/15TrM trolleybuses (last 15TrM No.352-356 were delivered on end of 1999). In 2000, 9 low floor articulated trolleybuses of Skoda 22Tr type should be purchased (and all remaining Skoda Sanos will be withdrawn and scrapped). In 2001 no new articulated cars are planned, for year 2002 5 cars is planned, for 2003 7 cars and for 2004 4 cars. There are also plans to purchase 22 trolleybuses of Skoda 21Tr in years 2003-2005. Company also declared preliminary interest for planned double-articulated trolleybus Skoda 23Tr, but it is more distant future

Slovakia – Bratislava: Since 1.1.2000 new way of ticketing will take place here. There will be newly transferable ticket with validity for 10, 30 or 60 mins. For that reason, also big changes in line routing for tramways, trolleybuses and buses were planned, but later was decided to introduce new line routing for trolleybuses (and already from 23.12.1999), while for buses this will happen on 10th January, and tramways line routing will be altered on unspecified date later.
New trolleybus routing scheme has now 11 regular lines 201-212, while lines 203-205 are used for first time in Bratislava.
201 – Hlavní nádraží – Přívozská – Dolné Hony (formerly 218)
202 – Rajská – autobusové nádraží – Dolné Hony (formerly 220)
203 – Koliba – Hodžovo náměstí – Palisády – Bůdková (extended former 213)
204 – Valašská – Račianské mýto – Trnavské mýto – Trnávka, Rádiová (formerly 219)
205 – Trnávka, Rádiová – Rožňavská – autobusové nádraží – Rajská (formerly 215)
206 – Kramáre SÚCSCH – Pražská – autobusové nádraží (no change)
207 – Valašská – Palisády – Prievozská – Ružová dolina (formerly 217)
208 – Ružínov – Mlynské Nivy – Šulekova (consists of former 208 and 216)
209 – Kramáre, nár.Onkologický ústav – Račianské mýto – Trnavské Mýto – Ružová dolina (consists of former 207 and 209)
210 – Hlavní nádraží – autobusové nádraží (no change)
212 – Vojenská nemocnice – Pražská – Zimní stadion (no change)
All lines are in service daily. Except these lines, also lines 221 (Ružínov – Rajská) a 222 (Ružínov – Hlavní nádraží), are estabilished. These are special lines that provides better connection to central Bratislava’s cemetery in Ruzinov and are in service for example during Christmas). Line No.211 is reserved for planned line that should connect Kramare with hub Patronka. For this line there is need to built 2nd track on Patronka, that is planned for summer 2000.
Night service, including night trolleybus line 516 Koliba – Vojenska nemocnice is not changed.
 

Slovakia – Košice: Tramcar T-3 No.359 was moved to railway workshop in Zvolen, where should be modernized. This should include new electric equipment (based on IGBT technology), and modernization of interior. Decision about another cars will be taken later, after testing of this car

Slovakia – Prešov: All three Presov’s trolleybuses Skoda Sanos (No.66-68) are already a history. No.68 was destroyed after accident with train in 1996, remaining two cars were withdrawn and stored in Solivar (2nd depot, but without any halls). No.66 was scrapped in December 1998 and No.67 in June 1999. It means, that this type was not saved in Kosice (where was interest by local group of tramway enthusiasts). In Presov, there still physically exists Skoda 9Tr No.28, but future of this car is also probably dark.
In 1999 two 15TrM (No.117 a 118) and two 14TrM (No. 119 a 120) were purchased. Two 14Tr cars 58 a 63 built 1985 were withdrawn, withdrawal of remaining two cars No.60 and 61 from same year is expected soon.
Following cars are now in service
- 14Tr No. 60 a 61 built 1985 -
- 14Tr No. 69 - 76 built 1986
- 14Tr No. 77 - 81 built 1987
- 15Tr No. 82 - 86 built 1988 – some of them without service but not withdrawn yet.
- 14Tr No. 87 - 88 built 1989
- 14Tr No. 89 - 91 built 1991
- 15Tr No. 92 - 113 built 1992
- 15TrM No. 114 built 1995
- 15TrM No. 115 built 1996
- 15TrM No. 116 built 1998
- 15TrM No. 117 a 118 built 1999
- 14TrM No. 119 a 120 built 1999
For close future, extension of network is not expected, and also there is planned to purchase new vehicles only as replacement for old ones.


This page (c) 2000 Richard A.Bílek. All photos and articles by Richard A.Bílek, except where noted. Feel free to spread all information, but do not forget to mention your source.