100 YEARS OF PRAHA'S METRO
IV.  - Towards The Suburbs (1985-1994)
 
 
Planned extension of metro to suburbian parts of the city was main reason of one important news in 1985, shortly before opening of B line, new depot in Hostivar was opened. This depot was important for service on line A, but in these area, also central workshop was later opened (in 1990). Since 1986, when this depot comes fully to service, there was a bit chaotic system of  serving lines, so depot on A line was responsible for all trains of A line, and also for hal trains of C line. Kacerov, depot on line C was responsible only for half of "his" line, and for complete service on B line. This was not changed until opening of third depot in 1994.
Unusual was also connection to network. From station Zelivskeho, tracks without stations was built. Even after opening, one station was still under construction. In 1986, decision was taken, to built another new station on this line, later named Skalka.
First station, named Strašnická was opened later in 1987. It was not most important improvement of network, but still, it was good service for citizens of Strasnice's area. With opening of this connection, line A was completely finished (well, except opening Skalka station on existing track in 1990), so all construction was moved on B line. First new part line, named III.B was built since 1983 and opened in 1988 as an extension from Smichovske nadrazi towards the west. Three new statations were opened at this time. On this new tracks, lot of things was interested, distance between Smichovske Nadrazi and Radlicka is longest inter-station distance in whole network. Also, between these two stations, there is hilliest route of Praha's metro. Station Radlicka is in area, where no other buses or tramways are connected to, at this moment this was also unique. Track was opened, as a celebration of 70th anniversary of Czechoslovakia.
 
Year 1990 was again important for metro. At least, new station Skalka on track to depot Hostivar was opened. There is quite unusual situation in Strasnicka station, where tracks to Skalka continues from middle rails of "Y" turn. There is usually very hard turn, so "new" passengers are scared often. There are still plans, to built new line from Strasnicka towards southeast parts to city, so route to Skalka will be branch line later.
Since this opening, only line B was changed. Even in 1990, important extension from Florenc in eastern direction to station Ceskomoravska was opened. This line, with 4 stations was very important, because it helps to solve urban transport problems in this industrial area. Projecting of this line wasn't easy, even until 1982 there was planned branch line from Palmovka to Harfa
Major changes were made in tramway network in that area, and important connection tramway line Ohrada-Palmovka was built, also another short tramway line in area of Palmovka was new. All tramway and metro lines were opened on 23rd November 1990. This line was built in changed economical condition, so there is still very good seen, that there were saved money on several parts. On two stations, Palmovka and Ceskomoravska, important connection to varied urban and interurban bus lines are possible. In that year, also last russian metrocars were purchased, and for about 8 years no new vehicles were purchased.
Construction of B line should conitued with extensions to Zlicin and Cerny Most. Changed economical situation was main reason for thinking, if there is really need to finish these lines (in case of Cerny Most extension if to even start with construction here). Sooner, there were usually "other" problems, why there something couldn't be built. Since 1990, everything is problem of money only.
Line V.B was lucky, because in 1990, large portion of track was already finished. Although there were some delays (project was planned to open this line in 1993), finally, on 11th November 1994, quite long part of track, 5100 m long with five stations was opened at this moment. Also, first part of depot in Zlicin was finished at that date.
New route had several new nice things. Fist, except Stodulky, most of the stations is on the surface. They are not opened, they are covered with roof, so it still looks like underground station, but stations are opened to daily light. Between stations Hurka and Luziny, metro runs again "inside" of bridge. There are windows in this bridge, so passengers can look inside. Also, on station Stodulky, there is strange thing. Sooner, branch line with two stations was planned here to start and to go to southwestern direction, where new housing estate was planned. In early 90's, construction of this was abandoned, but station Stodulky is still prepared for construction of this branch route. There are plans to built here colony of medium-sized family houses, so there is still small chance, that this branch extension will be built. Last station is Zlicin, where new depot was also opened. Since this, every line has it's "own" depot, so service tracks are used only sometimes...
11th November 1994, when metro reaches Zlicin is end for "past" of this kind of urban transport. Rest - that is presence, and it will be desribed in last chapter...
 

Stations opened 1986-1994:
Line Former name Current Name Opened Station type No.Of Exits Deep under surface
III.A Strašnická Strašnická 11.7.1987 1 hall 1, second not finished 8 
III.B Radlická Radlická 26.10.1988 1 hall 1 11
III.B Švermova Jinonická 26.10.1988 three halls 1 23
III.B Dukelská Nové Butovice 26.10.1988 1 hall 1 6
III.A Skalka Skalka 4.7.1990 1 hall, 2 rows of pillars 1 10
II.B Křižíkova Křižíkova 23.11.1990 three halls 1 35
II.B Hakenova (planned name) Invalidovna 23.11.1990 three halls 1 20
II.B Palmovka Palmovka 23.11.1990 one hall 2 12
II.B. Zápotockého (planned name) Českomoravská 23.11.1990 three halls 1 25
V.B. Butovická (planned name) Hůrka 11.11.1994 one hall 1 4
V.B. Lužiny Lužiny 11.11.1994 one hall 1 3
V.B. Luka Luka 11.11.1994 one hall 1 0
V.B. Stodůlky Stodůlky 11.11.1994 one hall 1, second not finished 10
V.B. SNP (planned name) Zličín 11.11.1994 one hall 1 0
 
Fleet of vehicles 1986-1994
In early 1986, there was fleet of 85 cars of Ečs, 130 vehicles of 81.7171 cars (with cabin) and 195 81.7171 cars without cabin
Year purchased Type Amount No.S. total amount
1986 81.7171 (with cabin) 28 2331-2358  
1986 81.7141 (vithout cab.) 39 2496-2499 
2600-2634		 477
1987 81.7171 (with cabin) 12 2359-2370  
1987 81.7141 (vithout cab.) 18 2635-2652 504*
1988 81.7171 (with cabin) 12 2371-2382  
1988 81.7141 (vithout cab.) 18 2653-2670 534
1989 81.7171 (with cabin) 12 2383-2394  
1989 81.7141 (vithout cab.) 17 2671-2687 563
1990 81.7171 (with cabin) 10 2395-2399 
2500-2504		  
1990 81.7141 (vithout cab.) 16 2688-2699 
2800-2803		 589
1991-1991 - - - 589 
1992-1994 - - - 588**
* in 1987 were in Kačerov destroyed by fire cars 2133,2325 (81.7171) a 2490 (81.7141)
** in 1992 was Ečs 1031 sold to Škoda Plzeň for testing
In 1995 there were in fleet 84 cars Ečs, 202 cars 81.7171 (with cabin) and 302 cars 81.7141 (without cabin)

Opening of new lines between 1985-1994
In end 1985, there was 26,3 km in service
III.A 11.7.1987 Želivského - Strašnická 1,3 km
III.B 26.10.1988 Smíchovské n. - Dukelská 4,9 km
III.A 4.7.1990 Strašnická - Skalka 1,4 km
II.B 23.11.1990 Florenc - Českomoravská 4,4 km
V.B 11.11.1994 Nové Butovice - Zličín 5,1 km
In this time 17,1 km was opened. In total, there is 43,4 km in service in 1995
 
Previous Part Of Article

This page (c) 1998 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.