Zlín, city on souther Moravia, always popular
with their Bata shoes' factory was always poorly connected to main routes
and railway. Lot of plans, how to change this situation was made, but they
were not successfull. On opposite hand, traffic in Zlin was always quite
modern, not to mention only famous railcar M232.901.
Innercity routes were covered by buses
since 30's. During WW2, there was no good time to built new things. One
of few exceptions were trolleybuses, whose were popular in Germany, and
even during war, new systems were opened quite often. Also in Zlin, construction
started in 1941, and was provided by Swiss company Kummler-Mattler. Test
service was opened in early 1943, regular service started on 27th January
on three lines, two of them were circle lines between central square and
a hospital, third one was line between Prstne and Lesni ctvrt.
Interesting trolleybuses were introduced,
they were based on Swiss trolleybuses built by FBW. Between 1944-1946,
nine trolleybuses were delivered, six of them were named FBW/BBC, thre
FBW/CKD. These trolleybuses were typical for Zlin for all of 50's.
After war, network was expanded quickly. In 1947 new line to Vrsava
was opened, since 1949 old single-track lines
were upgraded to double-track. Also, construction of interrurban route
between Zlin and Otrokovice started, and was opened in three parts between
1949-1953 (line was more than 10km long)
New trolleybus Vetra/CKD and Skoda 7Tr were delivered to city in 50's. In 1957, new trolleybus line to Podhori was opened, it was last line for more than 25 years. During this period, however, new trolleybuses were purchased, again with new vehicles of 8Tr and 9Tr. For Zlin, there was typical trolleybus with trailer, this service was used in Zlin until 1985.
Even the 70's, problematic years for Czech trolleybuses, there were no problems in Zlin, and no routes were closed. Only in end of 70's, routes in city centre were renewed, and little changed, new loop close to Sportovni hala was opened too. In 1979, route numbering was changed from letters to numbers. In 1983, construction of new routes started again, new line to Priluky was opened, later, in 1985 new route to Bartosova ctvrt was opened too. In 1983 delivery of new 14Tr trolleybuses started, but at same type, first prototype of Skoda-Sanos trolleybus was delivered. This was quite new construction, between Macedonian company Fas Oktomvri (body) and Skoda (electric equipment). These trolleybuses were built until 1989, and they were delivered to Zlin, Bratislava (SK), and Sarajevo (BiH), not to mention one-to three trolleybuses delivered to Belegrade, Moscow, Ostrava and Presov. Zlin received biggest fleet of these trolleybuses, 31 vehicles, 21 of them is still here. Since 1990, also 15Tr troleybuses were delivered.
In mid of 80's, construction of new trolleybus routes to Jizni Svahy,
big housing estate on north of city started. This very important line was
opened in end of 80's, this was last line here.
Trolleybuses in Zlin are probably best organized in Czech republic
at this time. Trolleybuses here covers about 80 per-cent of all traffic
needs. Also, their trolleybus fleet is one of the newest in Czech Republic,
and due to Skoda Sanos trolleybuses (since 1998, after withdrawn of this
type in Bratislava are Sanoses here as in last city) is also very interesting
to all fans.
Following lines were here in service
| 139-144 | Škoda 14Tr08 | 1989 |
| 145-153 | Škoda 14Tr10 | 1990 |
| 154-168 | Škoda 14Tr11 | 1991 |
| 169-170 | Škoda 14TrM | 1995 |
| 307 | Škoda Sanos | 1984 |
| 309,311-313 | Škoda Sanos | 1985 |
| 315-317,
319-329 |
Škoda Sanos | 1986 |
| 330-331 | Škoda Sanos | 1987 |
| 332-336 | Škoda 15Tr02 | 1990 |
| 337-338 | Škoda 15Tr02 | 1992 |
| 339-342 | Škoda 15Tr03 | 1991 |
| 343 | Škoda 15Tr08 | 1992 |
| 344 | Škoda 15TrM | 1995 |
| 345 | Škoda 15TrM | 1996 |
| 346-351 | Škoda 15TrM | 1997 |
| 352-356 | Škoda 15TrM | 1999, not in service yet |
Map: