Trolleybuses in Prague

Prague was the first city in Czechoslovakia to introduce modern-style trolleybuses. Only a few other trolleybus systems existed in the Czech lands previously – in České Velenice (Gmünd) and České Budějovice[2] – using the same overhead system as the Electromote, the predecessor of all trolleybuses.

Prague trolleybus system
Operation
LocalePrague, Czech Republic
First era: 1936 (1936)–1972 (1972)
Status Closed
Routes 14 (maximum)
Electrification 600 V DC parallel overhead lines
Stock 179 trolleybuses (at maximum)[1]
Route length 48 km (30 mi)
(maximum)[1]
Current era: since 2017 (2017)
Status Open
Routes 1
Electrification 600 V DC parallel overhead lines

Trolleybuses operated in Prague during two separate periods. The first trolleybus system was opened in 1936 and it lasted until 1972, when it was closed.[1] After precisely 45 years, a new trolleybus system was opened in Prague in 2017.

History
Trolleybus monument finished on 1 July 2009 at a location along the route of first Prague's trolleybus line.
Trolleybus monument finished on 8 October 2010 at the site of the Orionka terminus of Prague's first trolleybus system, closed in 1972.

First system

The first system was opened on 28 September 1936 with a 3.5 km long line. After World War II, rapid expansion of the system occurred and trolleybuses appeared in the city center as well as in the suburban areas and big housing developments. The network reached its maximal length of 56.876 km in March 1959;[3] however, even in 1959 the first and oldest trolleybus line was already closed. Most sections which were in construction at that time were not finished and those in operation were slowly replaced with buses.

Since 1960, no new trolleybuses were purchased, vehicles started becoming obsolete. Many streets were being reconstructed, there was not enough electricity available to run the network, and diesel fuel was inexpensive, which were among the reasons for the decision to begin replacing trolleybuses with buses, leading ultimately to the final closure of the Prague trolleybus system on 16 October 1972.[4][5]

Fleet

In 1936, the following Czech-made vehicles started operating on the Prague trolleybus system:

  • Škoda 1Tr (1 prototype)
  • Tatra T 86 (1 prototype + 5)
  • Praga TOT (1 prototype + 11)

In 1938 and 1939, two Škoda 2Tr trolleybuses were delivered.

A Tatra T400 began operating in Prague in 1948. In total, there were 136 new vehicles of this type, as well as eight secondhand such vehicles from Most, purchased and running in Prague. New vehicles were supplied in various series up to 1955, based on the previous experience with the vehicles as well as to utilize new technology.

In 1958, a prototype of the Tatra T401 model was added to Prague's trolleybus fleet but it only lasted 3 years in operation. The performance and features of the Tatra T401 were tested during the first two years of operation, after which it was decided that the Škoda Works, which produced smaller trolleybuses, would take over all trolleybus production in Czechoslovakia, and the Tatra company stopped producing any new trolleybuses.

Finally, in 1960, the last 35 Škoda 8Tr trolleybuses were purchased for Prague.

Tatra T400 and Škoda 8Tr vehicles were running in the city until the end of trolleybus operation in 1972.[5]

Attempts to re-open the system in the 1980s and early 1990s

Plans to restore trolleybus network in Prague started appearing in 1979.[6] Soon after the political revolution of 1989, Prague's public transport company even delegated money and people to look into the trolleybus network reinstatement. Also a prototype of a new trolleybus model, the Škoda 17Tr, was developed and produced in Prague. Since 1992, however, all plans to restore the network were dropped.[7]

An SOR TNB 12 trolleybus on the opening day of the new system

Second system

After precisely 45 years, on 15 October 2017, a new trolleybus line was opened in Prague. So far, the system is equipped with overhead wires along less than 1 km of the route's length and requires trolleybuses with additional batteries, capable of operating away from the wires, along other parts of the route. The goal of this experimental project is to prove the viability of trolleybuses in Prague as well as the ability to minimize the costs needed to build the infrastructure. Overhead wires have been installed along Prosecká Street, which features a steep gradient. This will prevent a fast battery drain for vehicles running upwards as well as quick-charging of their batteries for the rest of their journey outside of the wired portion of the route. In winter, the direct power supply will also allow for a tank of water to be heated up for interior heating.[8][9]

Prior to constructing a new trolleybus network Prague's public transport company has already been trying out battery powered buses on various routes but as a result of these testing operations conducted in Prague starting from 2014 it was found out the statically charged vehicles tend to be very problematic on steep hills typical to Prague's landscape.[10] The trolleybus network came as a direct response to address the major issues of the battery powered vehicles aiming to combine the best attributes of both worlds.

The testing period should take about a year, and once finished it is hoped for the network to be extended and new articulated trolleybuses with additional batteries purchased.[11]

The first vehicle to operate on the line was a Czech-made SOR TNB 12 AcuMario; however, it was a prototype, as it was the first such vehicle to be equipped with additional batteries.

Preserved Tatra T400 trolleybus No. 431 in 2017, operating under its own power for the first time in 45 years

Opening ceremony

On the occasion of 45 years since the last trolleybus operated in Prague, as well as the opening of the new line Prague's public transport company, a public event was organized on 15 October 2017, on which the new SOR TNB 12 trolleybus was presented. It was accompanied by a new SOR ENS 12 electric bus and a historic Tatra T400 vehicle from the Prague's public transport museum collection. It was possible for spectators to see all three vehicles in operation, as well as take a free ride.[9]

Regular operation

On 1 July Prague's Public Transport Company starts regular operation on a newly built line. The line will continue to have number 58 and will follow the same route as in the preceding testing stage, that is in between metro stations Palmovka and Letňany. Initially only 1 vehicle Škoda 30 Tr will be operated on the line running in 60 minutes interval.

One year of operation anniversary
Škoda 8Tr towed away at the end of the special ride down the hill.

On Sunday 14 October 2018 a second event since the opening of the new trolleybus system was organised. It took place in order to remember both the 46 anniversary of the original Prague's trolleybus system shutdown as well as to celebrate the one year anniversary of the current system. As opposed to the opening ceremony in 2017 the rides on a historic vehicle were not spontaneous but scheduled to took place 5 times exactly.[12] Visitors who wanted to take a ride were also required to purchase tickets when entering the vehicle. Each ride cost 35 CZK per person and small children were allowed free entrance if accompanied by an adult. The historic vehicle also differed as a smaller Škoda 8Tr was used, which is also why only about 40 people were allowed to take a ride each time. Every paying passenger was given a stamped paper ticket and a postcard with a picture of Škoda 8Tr when it was still in regular operation.

Each ride started at the bottom of the hill, nearby Kundratka stop right at the beginning of the wired section, then took approximately 1 km up the hill and passengers were required to leave the vehicle at the Kelerka stop at the end of the wired section. The trolleybus was then towed using a tractor all the way to Letňany roundabout (as it was supposedly the nearest safe place to turn the towed trolleybus) and back to the Kelerka stop to drive passengers back to the bottom section of the line at Kundratka stop. Škoda 8Tr was then towed again to allow for a new ride up. Every round took approximately 20 minutes in total, but only a small portion of it consisted of the actual ride as about 15 minutes were required for the up-the-hill off-wire manoeuvres.

Visitors who didn't take the ride stood around the wired section to have a look and take photos and videos of the running attraction.

Fleet
Vehicle type Count In operation Note Image
SOR TNB 12 AcuMario 1 October 9, 2017 - May 27, 2018 [13] Borrowed on October 9, 2017 for the period of one year.[14]

This vehicle is a prototype as it is equipped with additional batteries.

The electric components were manufactured by Rail Electronics CZ.
Škoda 30 Tr 1 April 17, 2018 - November 12, 2019 Borrowed on April 17, 2018 for the period of one year.[15] This period was however later extended to November 2019.[16]

This vehicle is a prototype as it is equipped with additional batteries.

The electric components were manufactured by Škoda Electric.
Škoda 27 Tr 1 March 25, 2019 - April 14, 2019 [17] This vehicle is in ownership of the public transport company in Plzeň. Although belonging to public transport company in Plzeň and testing being done in Prague, it was loaned to Škoda Electric instead of the public transport company in Prague. Škoda borrowed the vehicle for a short period of time (from March 24, 2019 to April 15, 2019) to test an articulated trolleybus vehicle in Prague's conditions. The total cost Škoda has to pay for this is 75 000 Kč in total (without VAT).[18]

It was a completely new vehicle no more than a week old when sent to Prague.[19]

Škoda 27 Tr is the first articulated trolleybus ever operating in Prague.
EKOVA ELECTRON 12T 1 September 24, 2019 - March 19, 2020[20] Vehicle borrowed for one month from the Public transport company in Ostrava.[21] Thanks to an updated contract this vehicle stayed in Prague until March 2020[22] (although not in operation some days in February 2020 due to technical issues[23]), leaving the whole trolleybus line 58 suspended with no vehicles running it after that point.
Škoda 24 Tr 1 In Prague from May 21[24] This is the first trolleybus actually bought by the Prague Public Transport company after 60 years. It is however not a new vehicle but a second hand Škoda 24 Tr from Plzeň (built in 2005[25]) that is to be used as a service vehicle and for driver training.
The same type as the one bought by Prague.

Initial stage testing results

On April 11 the Prague's public transport company announced the news regarding the extension of the existing 1km long wired network.[26] The plan is to replace all buses on line 140 connecting stations Palmovka and Miškovice by 2021. The final wired network won't cover the whole line but only a selected sections which is why Prague's public transport company now inquires 15 articulated trolleybuses equipped with batteries.

Based on the results from the system testing done in between October 2017 and April 2018 it was also requested the new buses to operate the route 140 should be able to charge their batteries faster, they should have a better acceleration running off wires on steep hills and should also be able to charge statically in depots.[27]

Palmovka - Miškovice electrification plan

Progress on the electrification of the Palmovka - Čakovice section

On Wednesday 17 October 2018 Pražský deník newspaper published an article on the current state of trolleybus network extension plans mentioned in the Initial stage testing results above. The realisation is now a step further and if all goes as planned the new wired sections should be built in 2020 - 2021 and the construction should take approximately 12 months in total. Most of the new electric line to overtake current bus line 140 should be covered by the wires (8 Km).[28]

3 substations will be used to enable operation on this line - 2 to power up the line itself and one for static vehicle charging in Klíčov depot. Interestingly, a substation in Letňany is an old abandoned substation originally used by trolleybuses. The only new yet to be built substation will be the one in Klíčov depot.

Overview of the Prague's airport trolleybus line proposal.

Decision on Nádraží Veleslavín - Airport section electrification

On Monday 16 September 2019 information about 3 new lines to be covered by trolleybuses with additional batteries has been revealed. This time on the other side of Prague (left bank of the Vltava river), utilizing a different depot in Řepy district. Work should start on electrifying bus line 119 connecting Prague with its main airport. Included should be charging station in Řepy depot (also usable for subsequent lines), in Veleslavín subway/train/bus interchange station and at the Prague's International Airport plus 4.8 km long section with overhead wires in between Veleslavín and intermediate bus stop Terminal 3.

Other two bus lines 131 and 191 should follow once the work on the airport line is finished in 2023.

Line 119 should be operated by high capacity double articulated trolleybuses with capacity higher than current regular articulated buses. In total 20 trolleybuses are supposed to be purchased for line 119, costing around 600 million CZK, while the wiring and depot preparation should only take half the sum.[29][30]

Decision on replacing bus lines 131, 137, 176 and 191 with respective trolleybus lines

On Monday, June 8 2020, Prague City Council has approved electrification of lines 131, 137, 176 and 191. The actual construction of the necessary infrastructure should begin after lines 140 (Palmovka - Čakovice) and 119 (Nádraží Veleslavín - Airport) are finished, as was announced when line 119 was approved. This project is a logical step to follow after the conversion of line 119 considering line 191 can use part of that infrastructure. On top of that line 176 will also share a section of the catenary with line 191. Then all the additional lines will be built close to each other on the same bank of the Vltava river which also means a single depot will be able to serve them all and some power substations can power up multiple nearby sections. In addition all 4 lines are passing through steep and/or long inclines which are well suited for a trolleybus operation. It is also interesting all lines except 191 were already operated by trolleybuses in the Prague's first trolleybus system epoch. Price to electrify the 4 new trolleybus lines is estimated to be in between 1 to 1.3 billion CZK in total.

As with the preceding projects the lines are not supposed to be operated only partially under wires while for the rest vehicles will have to use batteries:

  • Line 131 (Bořislavka – Hradčanská), catenary to be installed on 61 % of the route (3.8 km).
    • This line should cost around 200 million CZK.
  • Line 137 (Na Knížecí – U Waltrovky), catenary to be installed on 95 % of the route (3.2 km). However, some buses continue from U Waltrovky up to a quite distant stop Malá Ohrada.
    • This line should cost around 220 million CZK.
  • Line 176 (Stadion Strahov – Karlovo náměstí), catenary to be installed on 71 % of the route (4 km). This line will share some infrastructure with line 119.
    • This line should cost around 320 million CZK.
  • Line 191 (Na Knížecí – Ciolkovského – Letiště Václava Havla Praha), catenary will be instilled in 3 separate sections (also utilizing infrastructure for line 119). The total coverage of wired power supply should be 55% of the route (15.3 km).
    • This line should cost around 580 million CZK.

Additional 130 million CZK should be used to prepare Řepy depot for this trolleybus expansion. The construction should be completed by 2025.[31]

A section of the new trolleybus line along Prosecká ulice (Prosecká Street) a few days before the opening of the new system

Future outlook

Even though the current trolleybus network is small, if testing is successful it could begin to grow in the next few years.[32] Trolleybuses have strong support from within the public transport company, city major as well as public based on being both clean and efficient.[33][34][9] The wired section of the current trolleybus system, while not covering the full length of the line, helps recharge batteries while the vehicle is in operation, which in turn reduces the need for high-capacity batteries and their weight.[35][36] Therefore, less energy is consumed on the ride and batteries can occupy much less space in the vehicle. This is also the reason for the trolleybus system's wired section being placed on the hilly, steep section, where battery consumption is enormous in comparison to operation on flat ground.[8]

References
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  33. Léblová, Kristýna (15 October 2017). "Pražané chtějí zpět trolejbusy, tvrdí Dopravní podnik a zahájil zkušební provoz elektrobusu" [Prague residents want trolleybuses back, the transit agency says, and begins test-running of an electric bus]. Novinky.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 2017-10-15.
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