Trams in Poznań

Trams in Poznań
Overview
Owner City of Poznań
Locale Poznań, Poland
Transit type Tram
Number of lines

22

  • Daytime: 20
  • Nighttime: 1
  • Tourist: 1
Website MPK Poznań
Operation
Began operation 30 July 1880 (horsecar)
6 March 1898 (electric tram)
Operator(s) MPK Poznań
Number of vehicles ~430 (81 low-floor)
Technical
System length 66 km (41 mi) (2011)
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 in)
System map

Trams in Poznań is a tramway operated by Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Komunikacyjne w Poznaniu Sp. z o.o. (Public Transport Company in Poznań Ltd.). It currently has 20 daytime lines, one night line, and one tourist line served by historical vehicles. The tram system consists of about 66 kilometres (41 mi) of route, operating on 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 in) standard gauge track. With a few exceptions the tramlines operate on double tracks rail.

In local Poznań dialect trams are called bimby (pl.), bimba (sing).

History

Horse trams (1880-1898)

The idea of trams in Poznań was brought to fruition by two businessmen from Berlin: Otto Reymer and Otto Masch. After receiving concessions from the town authorities on 30 July 1880 they began running a horse tram in Poznań. On the next day the first regular line transported passengers from the main train station via ul. Św. Marcin/St. Martin Str., ul. Rycerska/Ritter Str. (today ul. Ratajczaka), Pl. Wilhelmowski/Wilhelms Platz (currently Plac Wolności) to Rynek/Ring (currently Stary Rynek English: Old Market). The route was soon lengthened from Rynek/Ring to ul. Butelska/Büttel Str. (now ul. Woźna), ul. Wielkie Garbary/Grosse Gerber Str. (currently ul. Garbary), Chwaliszewo to Ostrów Tumski. At the same time a branch was built via ul. Wiktorii/Victoria Str. (modern ul. Gwarna and ul. Mielżyńskiego), Plac Królewski/Königs Platz (currently Pl. Cyryla Ratajskiego), ul. Fryderykowska/Friedrich Str. (modern ul. 23 Lutego), Al. Wilhelmowskie/Wilhelms Al. (currently Al. Marcinkowskiego), ul. Seekta/Seekt Str. (modern ul. Solna) and Wolnica, ul. Małe Garbary/Kleine Gerber Str., ul. Szewska, ul. Szeroka/Breite Str. (currently ul. Wielka) to ul. Wielkie Garbary/Grosse Gerber Str. (modern ul. Garbary) where it joined the older route.

Despite the need for modern public transport in the city, after a few weeks the company found itself on the edge of bankruptcy. There were two reasons for this: firstly the branch route had too few passengers, and secondly all the signs in the trams were only in German, leading to a boycott by the Polish majority. The financially troubled company was bought by the Poznań Horse Railway Society (Polish: Poznańskie Towarzystwo Kolei Konnej, German: Posener Pferde-Eisenbahn-Gesellschaft), which obtained a concession and monopoly on tram transportation in the city. At that time there were only 20 cars in service.

In September 1880 the Society bought part of the site of the former train station in Jeżyce/Jersitz suburb, where a tram depot was built (currently it is the oldest tram depot still in service in Poland). In 1896 two new routes were built. The first ran from Rynek/Ring (now Stary Rynek), via ul. Wrocławska/Breslauer Str., Pl. Piotra/Peters Platz (now Pl. Wiosny Ludów), ul. Półwiejska to Brama Wildecka/Wilda Thor. The second went from the tram depot on ul. Gajowa, through ul. Zwierzyniecka/Zoologisher Str., ul. Jadwigi/Hedwigs Str. (modern ul. Kraszewskiego) to Rynek Jeżycki/Jersitz Markt, after one year extended via ul. Wielka Berlińska/Grosse Berliner Str. (modern ul. Dąbrowskiego) to the chemical factory on ul. Polna/Feld Str. Both routes were already built to carry heavier electric cars.

Electric trams

On 6 March 1898 horse trams were replaced by electric ones. At this time there were three lines:

In April a fourth line was added:

A ticket cost 10 or 20 pfennigs and after 11 pm the price was doubled.

In 1899 a second track was added to the routes on Rynek/Ring and ul. Wielka Berlińska/Grosse Berliner Str. (modern ul. Dąbrowskiego).

Before World War I the tram network was extended to the Municipal Slaughterhouse on ul. Wielkie Garbary/Grosse Gerber Str., to Plac Sapieżyński/Sapeicha Platz (today Plac Wielkopolski), to Brama Dębińska/Eichwald Thor (currently the intersection of ul. Strzelecka and Krakowska), to Śródka, Sołacz and Dębiec (to the Cegielski Factory). New routes were also built in the centre of the city, including overpasses over the railway tracks: Most Teatralny and Most Dworcowy.

Between the wars new routes were built to Golęcin, Dębiec (extension of existing tracks), Dębina (to the public beach on the bank of the Warta), Ogrody, Grunwald and Winiary. In this same period some routes in the narrow streets of the Old Town were closed. A planned route to Główna was cancelled due to the opening in 1930 of a trolleybus line there.

After WW II

Historical tram, designed 1973.
Old ticket (ca. 1986)

During the battle of Poznań in 1945, most of the cars and tracks were destroyed. Tram transportation was partially restored two years after the war, in 1947, though only on the left bank of the Warta. The tracks in the old town were not rebuilt, but a new route was laid via Plac Bernardyński.

The first post-war tram on the right bank appeared in 1952, when the new Marchlewski Bridge was opened (now called Most Królowej Jadwigi).

In the following years new routes connecting different districts and bypassing the centre of city were built:

Also some lines to peripheral districts were built:

A revolution for public transport in Poznań was brought about by the opening in 1997 of the 6.1 km long Poznański Szybki Tramwaj (English: Poznań Fast Tram) route, nicknamed "Pestka" by locals. Currently there are several plans for extension of the network, at different stages of preparation. Of great importance for tram transportation in Poznań was the general strategy for city development from 1994. According to this document trams are to serve as the fundamental mode of transport in the city. Since then, during renovations of streets and traffic lights, trams have been given right of way at intersections.

The newest route was opened on 14 August 2007. It is the first section of the so-called Ratajski Szybki Tramwaj (English: Rataje Fast Tram). The new route connects Plac Wiosny Ludów via ul. Podgórna, ul. Dowbora Muśnickiego, ul. Mostowa, Most św. Rocha and ul. Kórnicka to ul. Jana Pawła II.

Cars

In regular service:

Bi-directional cars, useful during track work, when loops are not available:

Historical cars:

Cars awaiting renovation:

Retired cars:

Tram lines

Route no.
Route
Daytime routes
1 JUNIKOWO - Grunwaldzka - Rondo Nowaka-Jeziorańskiego - Reymonta - Hetmańska - Rondo Starołęka - Hetmańska - Rondo Żegrze - Żegrze - Chartowo - Piaśnicka - FRANOWO
2 OGRODY - Dąbrowskiego - Rondo Kaponiera - Fredry - Gwarna - Św. Marcin - Al. Marcinkowskiego - Podgórna - Pl. Wiosny Ludów - Strzelecka - Królowej Jadwigi - Górna Wilda - 28 Czerwca 1956 - DĘBIEC


In the other direction: ... - Al. Marcinkowskiego - Pl. Wolności - 27 Grudnia - Fredry - ...

3 WILCZAK - Przełajowa - Winogrady - Pułaskiego - Roosevelta - Most Teatralny - Fredry - Gwarna - św. Marcin - Al. Marcinkowskiego - Podgórna - Pl. Wiosny Ludów - Strzelecka - Królowej Jadwigi - Bolesława Krzywoustego - Rondo Rataje - Zamenhofa - Rondo Starołęka - Starołęcka - STAROŁĘKA


Route operates only at weekdays between 6:30 am and 7:30 pm every 20 minutes.
In the other direction: ... - Al. Marcinkowskiego - Pl. Wolności - 27 Grudnia - Fredry - ...

4 POŁABSKA - Al. Solidarności - Rondo Solidarności - Murawa - Winogrady - Pułaskiego - Roosevelta - Most Teatralny - Fredry - Gwarna - św. Marcin - Al. Marcinkowskiego - Podgórna - Pl. Wiosny Ludów - Strzelecka - Królowej Jadwigi - Bolesława Krzywoustego - Rondo Rataje - Zamenhofa - Rondo Starołęka - Starołęcka - STAROŁĘKA


Route operates every day. On weekdays between 6:30 am and 7:30 pm every 20 minutes

5 GÓRCZYN - Głogowska - Roosevelta - Rondo Kaponiera - Św. Marcin - Al. Marcinkowskiego - Podgórna - plac Bernardyński - Dowbora-Muśnickiego - Mostowa - Most św. Rocha - Kórnicka - Trasa Kórnicka - Piaśnicka - Chartowo - Żegrze - Rondo Żegrze - Hetmańska - Rondo Starołęka - Starołęcka - STOMIL


In the other direction: ... - Al. Marcinkowskiego - Pl. Wolności - 27 Grudnia - Gwarna - Św. Marcin - ...

6 BUDZISZYŃSKA - Grunwaldzka - Rondo Nowaka-Jeziorańskiego - Grunwaldzka - Bałtyk - Roosevelta - Most Dworcowy - Królowej Jadwigi - Bolesława Krzywoustego - Rondo Rataje - Jana Pawła II - Rondo Śródka - Warszawska - MIŁOSTOWO
7 OGRODY - Dąbrowskiego - Przybyszewskiego - Rondo Nowaka-Jeziorańskiego - Reymonta - Hetmańska - Rondo Starołęka - Zamenhofa - Rondo Rataje - Jana Pawła II - Rondo Śródka - Podwale - ZAWADY
8 GÓRCZYN - Głogowska - Roosevelta - Rondo Kaponiera - Roosevelta - Most Teatralny - Fredry - Mielżyńskiego - Pl. C. Ratajskiego - 23 Lutego - Pl. Wielkopolski - Wolnica - Małe Garbary - Estkowskiego - Wyszyńskiego - Rondo Śródka - Warszawska - MIŁOSTOWO
9 PIĄTKOWSKA - Winiarska - Wołyńska - Małopolska - Al. Wielkopolska - Pułaskiego - Most Teatralny - Fredry - Gwarna - Św. Marcin - Al. Marcinkowskiego - Podgórna - Pl. Wiosny Ludów - Strzelecka - Królowej Jadwigi - Górna Wilda - 28 Czerwca 1956 - DĘBIEC


In the other direction: ... - Al. Marcinkowskiego - Pl. Wolności - 27 Grudnia - Fredry - Most Teatralny - ...

10 POŁABSKA - Al. Solidarności - Rondo Solidarności - Murawa - Winogrady - Pułaskiego - Roosevelta - Rondo Kaponiera - Roosevelta - Most Dworcowy - Wierzbięcice - 28 Czerwca 1956 r. - DĘBIEC
11 PIĄTKOWSKA - Winiarska - Wołyńska - Małopolska - Al. Wielkopolska - Pułaskiego - Roosevelta - Rondo Kaponiera - Roosevelta - Most Dworcowy - Królowej Jadwigi - Bolesława Krzywoustego - Rondo Rataje - Trasa Kórnicka - Piaśnicka - OS. LECHA
12 OS. JANA III SOBIESKIEGO - PST - Roosevelta - Rondo Kaponiera - Roosevelta - Most Dworcowy - Królowej Jadwigi - Bolesława Krzywoustego - Rondo Rataje - Zamenhofa - Rondo Starołęka - Starołęcka - STAROŁĘKA
13 JUNIKOWO - Grunwaldzka - Rondo Nowaka-Jeziorańskiego - Grunwaldzka - Bałtyk - Roosevelta - Rondo Kaponiera - Św. Marcin - Al. Marcinkowskiego - Podgórna - plac Bernardyński - Dowbora-Muśnickiego - Mostowa - Most św. Rocha - Kórnicka - Jana Pawła II - Rondo Rataje - Zamenhofa - Rondo Starołęka - Starołęcka - STAROŁĘKA


In the other direction: ... - Al. Marcinkowskiego - Pl. Wolności - 27 Grudnia - Fredry - Most Teatralny - Roosevelta - Rondo Kaponiera - ...

14 OS. JANA III SOBIESKIEGO - PST - Roosevelta - Rondo Kaponiera - Roosevelta - Głogowska - GÓRCZYN
15 OS. JANA III SOBIESKIEGO - PST - Roosevelta - Rondo Kaponiera - Roosevelta - Bałtyk - Grunwaldzka - Rondo Nowaka-Jeziorańskiego - Grunwaldzka - BUDZISZYŃSKA


At Weekends and holidays between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm extended to JUNIKOWO

16 OS. JANA III SOBIESKIEGO - PST - Most Teatralny - Fredry - Gwarna - Św. Marcin - Al. Marcinkowskiego - Podgórna - plac Bernardyński - Dowbora-Muśnickiego - Mostowa - Most św. Rocha - Kórnicka - Trasa Kórnicka – OS. LECHA


In the other direction: ... - Al. Marcinkowskiego - Pl. Wolności - 27 Grudnia - Fredry - ...

17 OGRODY - Dąbrowskiego - Most Teatralny - Fredry - - Mielżyńskiego - Pl. C. Ratajskiego - 23 Lutego - Pl. Wielkopolski - Wolnica - Małe Garbary - Estkowskiego - Wyszyńskiego - Rondo Śródka - Jana Pawła II - Kórnicka - Piaśnicka - Chartowo - Żegrze - Rondo Żegrze - Hetmańska - Rondo Starołęka - Starołęcka - STAROŁĘKA
18 OGRODY - Dąbrowskiego - Roosevelta - Rondo Kaponiera - Roosevelta - Głogowska - Hetmańska - Rondo Starołęka - Starołęcka - STAROŁĘKA


Suspended in July and August.

26 OS. JANA III SOBIESKIEGO - PST - Most Teatralny - Fredry - GWARNA – Święty Marcin – Rondo Kaponiera – Roosevelta – PST – OS. JANA III SOBIESKIEGO


Only at weekdays between 6:30 and 8:30. Suspended in July and August.

Night route
201 OS. JANA III SOBIESKIEGO - PST - Roosevelta - Rondo Kaponiera - Św. Marcin - AL. MARCINKOWSKIEGO - 27 Grudnia - Gwarna - Św. Marcin - Rondo Kaponiera - Roosevelta - PST - OS. JANA III SOBIESKIEGO


Line 201 does not run on Monday night/Tuesday morning.
Due to works on Św. Marcin, since 21 June 2008: ... - Roosevelta - RONDO KAPONIERA - Zwierzyniecka - Kraszewskiego - Dąbrowskiego - Roosevelta - ...

Tourist route
0 GAJOWA - Zwierzyniecka - Rondo Kaponiera - Roosevelta - Głogowska - GŁOGOWSKA/MUZEUM - Głogowska - Rondo Kaponiera - Św. Marcin - Al. Marcinkowskiego - Pl. Wolności - 27 Grudnia - Fredry - Most Teatralny - Roosevelta - Rondo Kaponiera - Zwierzyniecka - GAJOWA


Operates every Sunday between 29 April and 14 October.

Irregular route
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
During some events, for special occasions and other causes, sometimes cars are marked with numbers of former route numbers. Despite this these are not official route numbers.
Additional routes
D On some occasions regular routes are supported by additional cars.
Shuttle routes
W1
W2
etc.
During renovations of tracks, mainly intersections, two-way cars operate on shuttle routes on one track between the place of works and the nearest point of regular traffic.

Plans for further extension

St. Roch Bridge - part of the newest route opened on 14 August 2007, part of the planned Ratajski Szybki Tramwaj

Currently in Poznań there are several plans to extend the tram network; some of them are only planned, others are under construction:

Gallery

References

  • Maria Trzeciakowska, Lech Trzeciakowski, W dziewiętnastowiecznym Poznaniu. Życie codzienne miasta 1815-1914, Poznań 1982, Wydawnictwo Poznańskie ISBN 83-210-0316-8
  • Jerzy Topolski, Lech Trzeciakowski (red) Dzieje Poznania, tom II cz. 1 1793-1918, Warszawa-Poznań 1994, Państwowe Wydawnictwo Naukowe ISBN 83-01-11393-6
  • Jerzy Topolski, Lech Trzeciakowski (red) Dzieje Poznania, tom II cz. 2 1918-1945, Warszawa-Poznań 1998, Państwowe Wydawnictwo Naukowe ISBN 83-01-12401-6

Notes

External links

Media related to Poznańskie tramwaje at Wikimedia Commons

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