Trams In Ostrava

The Ostrava tramway network ( cs, Tramvajová doprava v Ostravě) is the third largest tram network in the Czech Republic. ''Dopravní podnik Ostrava'', the network's operator runs 16 lines on a combined total length of of tram route on of track. The network runs on track and was electrified in 1901.

The network includes the interurban section between Ostrava and Kyjovice – only one of four such sections in the Czech Republic.

History

19th century

The tramway network was built by Brünner Lokaleisen-bahngesellschaft. The first line was opened on 18 August 1894 that ran between Přívoz, Ostrava, and Vítkovice using steam locomotives. A new line to Mariánské Hory was opened in 1899. By this point, the lines were used by over a million passengers, and trams started running every 20 minutes. This increased frequency over-loaded the tracks and the vehicles running on them. Operating costs of the steam trams also increased. This led to the company reducing its tram number from 16 to 9. Later, the frequency was adjusted to have trams every 30 minutes.

Early 20th century

After the start of the 20th century, tramways at Ostrava developed rapidly. Brünner Lokaleisen-bahngesellschaft bought electric locomotives from Österreichische Schuckert-Werke in 1900 to replace the uneconomical steam trams. The electric operations were set to start in October 1900, but this was delayed due to problems with the installation of overhead wires. After some testing, electric trams started running on 5 April 1901. Steam trams were used to carry freight. The cost of electrifying the operations in Ostrava was 1,300,000 Kronen.

Post-World War II

Post-World War II, with the industry of the city growing, authorities also developed the public transportation, which included tramways. The main extensions of the system were from the city centre to industrial and residential areas in the south. In 1950s and 60s, the city started operating the larger Tatra T2 and Tatra T3 trams. Around the same time, it was decided that trams should be the main public transport in the city, as the system was open to be modernised later and could carry a lot of passengers. In the early 1960s, tramlines were added to new urban areas in the south, as they weren't connected to railway. Further expansions were aimed at improving connections between new urban areas and industrial areas rather than the city centre. Trams were used to connect Poruba, which had only one route and thus was prone traffic congestion, to the rest of the city.

21st century

In October 2021, the operator took delivery of brand new Škoda 39T trams.

Routes

As of 2020, 16 routes operate on Ostrava tramway's network:

* day services – in operation between 04:00 and 23:00
* day & night services – in operation continuously
* night services – in operation from 23:00 until 04:00 the following day

Rolling stock

In December 2017, 260 trams intended for passenger transport were in operation in Ostrava:

See also

* History of Ostrava
* List of tram and light rail transit systems
* List of town tramway systems in the Czech Republic

References

Citations

Bibliography

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External links

Official website of Dopravní podnik Ostrava

{{Urban public transport in the Czech Republic

Ostrava
Ostrava
Transport in Ostrava