Trolleybuses in Jihlava

Former king's city in Jihlava was one of lucky cities, where also tramway service was introduced. This single-tramway line, however, was after WW2 in very bad shape, so decision was taken to rebuilt this line to trolleybus. Construction started in 1947, and in december 1949 was this line finished. First route followed tramway line, between railway station and central square in city. Also, first trolleybuse were stored in old tramway depot. First trolleybus fleet was made from Vetra-CKD trolleybuses, this was french trolleybus body with Czech electric equipment from CKD works.

Network in Jihlava was spreaded quite quickly. In 1950 new circle line in close of hospital and newly opened bus station was built, in 1951 was new line to Stare Hory built. Four lines was in service, trolleybus fleet was extended with Skoda 7Tr trolleybuses. In 1953, first line was extended to Lidicka kolonie.
Old tramway depot was no longer able to hold all trolleybuses. Construction of new trolleybus depot started in late 50's, and was opened in 1964. Old tramway depot was abandoned, but surprisingly, it's building is still staying.

Although end of 60's and early 70's were very heavy for all trolleybuses networks, this was not problem of Jihlava. In 1965 new line to Handlovy dvory was introduced, and in 1973 was this route extended to second round line. For 15 years was this last change in trolleybus network

In early of 80's, following lines were here in service

A nádraží – Brtnická (DP)
B nádraží – centrum – Dům zdraví – nádraží
B1 line B in reversed order
C Handlovy dvory – Staré Hory
D autobusové nádraží – nemocnice – Handlovy dvory – autobusové nádraží
D1 line D in reversed order

Meanwhile, trolleybus fleet was renewed twice, first 7Tr trolleybuses were replaced by 8Tr, and these were later replaced with 9Tr, including some used trolleybuses from Ceske Budejovice. Since 1982, new trolleybuses of 14Tr type were delivered.
In mid of 80's new route to Motorpal factory was built. This line was finished in early 90's, but at this time, Motorpal factory mostly suspended it's production, so there is only houly service on this time. There is clear, that today this line will be never built

Jihlava is among of few cities, where no trolleybus lines were abandoned. Fist line was abandoned for first time in 1993, when one of links between west, and central square was abandoned. This was very negative decision, because since this time, western part of city is linked with only one trolleybus route, so cicle lines B and B1 are in bit chaotic shape.

Trolleybuses 9Tr were scrapped (or sold to Ukraine) in mid of 90's. Trolleybus 9Tr No.11 was last 9Tr vehicle in service in Czech Republic!!! It was finally withdrawned on 30th May 1997

Following lines are in service today

A rly.station – DP
B rly.stationí – Hotel Jihlava – Masarykovo n. – Dům Zdraví – rly.station
B1 line B in reversed order
C Hotel Jihlava – Staré Hory
E Motorpal - DP

Trolleybus lines are still here used as letters. Since 1979, when this way of numbering was abandoned in Zlin is this last use of letters in trolleybus networks (and except Praha's metro only one in Czech Republic in all kind of regular transport)

Following vehicles are in service

20-22	Škoda 14Tr01	1983
23-24	Škoda 14Tr01	1984
25-27	Škoda 14Tr05	1985
28-29	Škoda 14Tr07	1985
30-31	Škoda 14Tr08	1987
32-33	Škoda 14Tr08	1989
34-38	Škoda 14Tr10	1990
39-43	Škoda 14Tr10	1991
44-45	Škoda 14TrM	1996
46-47	Škoda 14TrM	1997-8
48-49	Škoda 21Tr	1999

Photo shows Jihlava's trolleybus No.45 during testing in Ostrov nad Ohri test track