Plzen, 100.000 inhibitan’s city located also in western part of Czech
Republic operate today oldest trolleybus network.
History started here in April 1941, when first trolleybus line between
Doubravka and city centre was here given into
service. First trolleybuses were Skoda 3Tr, they also were manufactured
in Skoda Plzen. They were stored in tramway depot, at same time new tramway
depot was built on south of city. Trolleybus service was here quite popular,
so after war, decision was taken to extend trolleybus routes through whole
city. Therefore during seven years 1948-1955 new routes to Skvrnany, Bozkov,
Kosutka, Bolevec, Doudlevce and Nova Hospoda were given into service. New
trolleybuses Skoda 7Tr,8Tr and 9Tr were delivered, so in 1962 there was
more than 100 vehicles in service and Plzen had at this second largest
trolleybus network (after Praha/Prague).
70’s period was hard for trolleybuses in Czech Republic. In Plzen, there
were a bit different situation, because at this time no new routes were
abandoned, only no new vehicles were delivered. In 1975, another extension
in Doubravka, and new line to Lobzy were introduced, so trolleybus network
in Plzen was extended to it's maximum length.
In 1976 and 1977 lines to Kosutka and Bolevec (northern part of city
were abandoned because of construction of new fast tramway line.
In 80’s period there were plans to open new trolleybus routes, however
due to small depot there was no chance to buy
more vehicles that were needed. In 1987 construction of new line Doubravka
- Bory started, so finally, depot was extended, so lot of new vehicles
can be held there.
In the mid of 90’s opened japanese company Panasonic their brand new
TV-making factory in unused area named 'Borska Pole' in west of city. This
was great progress, because another companies started to built their new
factories in same area too. This area of course needs massive transport,
so construction of new trolleybus line started here too. Also parallel
line in city's centre is under construction to avoid traffic jams in rush
hours.
In 1998 major road in Plzen was reconstructed. Unfortunately, on this
street is only one connection between depot and rest of trolleybus' network.
Then, very quickly new connection line was built, and also one line was
introduced. Today, due to some road-upgrade in city, trolleybuses are sometimes
replaced by buses, and changes in their routes can be expected. Because
of this, here is overview of trolleybus lines in January 1998
10 Doubravka, na Dlouhých - Husovo nám (-Škoda)
11 Ústřední hřbitov - Husovo náměstí
12 Božkov - Nová Hospoda
13 Černice - Lobzy
14 Goethova - Doudlevce
16 Doubravka - Bory
(see on map)
In year 1998, line 14 was replaced by buses, line 13 is now divided into two parts, and is also partially served with buses. Also, changes on line 12 in city centre caused short bus replacement on this route. PLEASE WATCH THIS SPACE ABOUT INFORMATION OF CHANGES IN PLZEN'S NETWORK!
Concerning vehicles, since 1981 new 14Tr trolleybuses were delivered,
and later also 15Tr articulated trolleybuses were
given into service here. Several unusual types of vehicles were also
here, including unique trolleybus Skoda T-11 based
on body of bus Karosa SM-11, and prototype of low-floor trolleybus
Skoda 22Tr.
Following vehicles are in service here:
| 379,382,386,387,388,389,392,394,395 | Škoda 14Tr07 | 1986 |
| 396-413 | Škoda 14Tr08 | 1987 |
| 414 | Škoda 15Tr, 3rd prototype | 1988 |
| 415-424 | Škoda 14Tr08 | 1988 |
| 425-437 | Škoda 14Tr08 | 1989 |
| 438 | Škoda 14Tr08 | 1990 |
| 439-445 | Škoda 14Tr10 | 1990 |
| 446-460 | Škoda 14Tr | 1991 |
| 461-465 | Škoda 15Tr03 | 1993 |
| 466-471 | Škoda 15TrM | 1995 |
| 472-478 | Škoda 15TrM | 1996 |
Trolleybus network here is excellently organized and is one of the largest in Czech Republic. There are big plans to extend routes not only to Borska Pole, but there are also projects to extend trolleybuses back to northern part of city, to Vinice, where there are eventually plans to built new high-tech trolleybus depot...