Plzen is industrial city in western part of Czech republic, now with 155.000 inhibitants, famous for it's worldwide-famous "Skoda Works", provider of military and transport equipment, and also for their "Prazdroj/Gambrinus", famous beer selling worldwide. This industry also required fast transport of passenger and goods in the city. So in the end of 19th century several companies proposed complete tramway serviced to city. After several years, decision was taken to adopt Fr.Krizik's offer about new electric powerstation and a tramway. Fr.Krizik was also known for development of Prague's tramways, but not all of them were commercially successfull. This company - it was another deal, it was probably most successful tramway company in former Austrian-Hungarian monarchy.

First tramways started to operate on 29th June 1899 on three lines. Company operated with 20 tramcars purchased from F.Brozik factory (where they were developed under control of Fr.Krizik). In 1900 short line to railway station was built. Tramways runned unchanged untill end of WW1 (with exception of one new short track). After WW1, some new tramcars were purchased, in 1929 new line into Doudlevce was given into service. Also in 1929 first bus service was opened here, so company needed to reduce their expenses. In 1930 city purchased used tramways from Praha. Old depot was expanded untill 1933 where new tramway route into Slovany was opened.

During WW2 was the city under german control. Skoda-works were important for German army, because they produced big amount of military equipment. New trolleybus service was given into service in 1941. Trolleybuses then used old tramway depot, new one for tramways was built in Slovany, was opened in 1943 and is in service until today. After WW2 was Plzen badly destroyed by bombing, but tramways returned into service on end of may 1945. In 1947 new trailers were delivered. Bad condition of Roosvelt's Bridge resulted into closure of tramway line '3' betwenn Lochotin and Doudlevce.

First modern tramways of T1 type were delivered in 1955. 33 tramcars of this type was delivered until 1957. Type T2 was delivered between 1960 and 1962, 25 pcs.was purchased. In 1962 new line to Svetovar was opened too. Further expansion of track started in 1973, where two new lines to big housing-estates Skvrnany and Lochotin were opened. In the mid of 80's new line to Bolevec was built, and also routes in historic centre were little changed. Last portion of Bolevec's route was opened in May 1990. However in 1994 track to old depot (still used for tramway repairs) was closed (although it was not in passenger service until 1949). Now are tramways moved here with a truck.

As usuall, tramcars of T3 and KT8D5 type were delivered here, and they are mostly in service untill today. Also there can be mentioned, that Plzen was the last city to operate T1 tramways, they were withdrawned in 1987. Also in 1988 last T2 tramcars were scrapped. In 1993 city decided to renew some tramways of T3 type. In Plzen's Skoda Works they are upgraded into new look. First of these tramways (as T3MP named) were given into service in 1996, 10 tramways was upgraded until today.

City also decided to purchase low-floor tramways only. Because Skoda Works are developing new low-floor tramway Astra, there's hope to buy these tramways. City does *not* wants to purchase new tramways from CKD Tatra works. Fist prototype of Astra was tested here in the end of 1997 but it was sold to Ostrava. First, two tramways of this were delivered in 1998, other followed year later.

Tramways in Plzen are today high-effective transport. Today they covers all of main transport needs. Although few ideas about new tramway routes, nothing is under project nor under construction.

Following tramcars operate here:
 

No.18	One of original Krizik's tramcars -as a museum vehicle
121	Museum tramcar of T1 type
152..207	T3 tramcars, not all in service
208..287	T3SUCS tramcars, all (with two exceptions) in service. 10 pcs upgraded to T3MP
288..299	KT8D5 tramcars, four out of service (mostly after accidents)
300..305	Škoda Inekon LT 10.08 low floor tramcars

The following lines are in operation:

Line 1	between Slovany and Bolevec
Line 2	between Svetovar and Skvrnany
Line 3	Malesicka st. - Kosutka  operate only in rush hours, 2 trains in each direction per a day. They are used to transport workers to Skoda Works.
Line 4	between Kosutka and Bory
Line 5	Malesicka st. - Bolevec, same as line 3

This page (c) 1998 Richard A.Bílek. All photos and articles by Richard A.Bílek, except where noted. Feel free to spread all of these informations, but do not forget to mention your source.