Trams in Szczecin

Horse trams

On October 21, 1872, just before the demolition of fortress walls, German engineer Johannes Bussing received from the Royal Police Directorate in Berlin concession for the construction of a horse tram network. Less than six years later, have been signed an important agreement with the city. On March 25, 1879 had been established a company Stettiner Straßen-Eisenbahn Gesellschaft, which in the same year launched the first horse tram lines. On August 23, was opened the first line, which began nearby of current pl. Gałczyńskiego, lead through pl. Zwycięstwa and ended at Staszica Street. On October 16, was opened the second line from Wiszesława Street to Potulicka Street. The length of both routes rose to 11.5 km. Initially, in Szczecin have been 16 trams and 80 horses, and in 1898 were 39 trams and 198 horses. In 1886, were opened two new lines: from the Szczecin Główny railway station to Chmielewskiego Street and from Wyszyńskiego Street to Nabrzeże Wieleckie. The first depot was located at the intersection of current Wojska Polskiego avenue and Piotra Skargi Street. Later have been established another 3: at Dębogórska Street, Dubois Street and Kolumba Street.

Electric trams to 1945

From 1896 to 1900, most of lines have become electric traction. Electrification have been performed by Allgemeine Elektrizitäts-Gesellschaft. The main tram routes had two tracks, the other routes had only one track. Electricity have been brought by power stations located in Pomorzany, Old Town and Gdańska Street. In 1904, except for colors, tram lines became also numbers:

In 1903 was built the first line, which crossed Odra and reached the right bank of city - it was opened a new line through Most Długi to current ul. Energetyków, and in 1910 through Most Kłodny to Wendy Street at Łasztownia. In 1907 was opened Niemierzyn depot (in Niemierzyńska Street), and 5 years later Golęcin depot (in Wiszesława Street). In 1926, after Wyspa Jaskółcza had been connected (at the back of Depot in Kolumba Street) with city, on the island have been located a storehouse. In 1927, after Dąbie Airport had been built, nearby have been constructed a new tram balloon loop. The tram route has led in those days through 4 bridges: Długi, Portowy, above Regaliczka (currently doesn't exist) and Cłowy. It has been the only one at the right bank of Szczecin, currently it doesn't exist. Before 1929, electric traction have been installed above bidges Długi and Cłowy. Earlier trams had been passing those bridges by increasing their speed in front of bridges. Because of inhabitants' requests, already working tram lines have been expanded. Average speed of trams was about 16 km/h. Since 1928, in Szczecin, apart from tram system, have been running also city buses. List of tram lines in 1929:

In 1934 was opened the last tram depot, at 200 Wojska Polskiego Avenue (nowadays Zajezdnia Pogodno). In 1940, line length measured 50,3 km and trams transported 58,8 mln passengers (in 1910 r. only 18,6 mln). After bombardments during World War II, in 1943 and 1944 a lot of routes had been out-of-order, but motormans, owing to their own work, succeeded in launching some of tram routes.

1945–1956

During World War II, it has been damaged 45% of tracks, 75% of electric traction, and 50% of trams. After the war, it had been working only one tram depot - depot in Niemierzyńska Street. Therefrom led to Brama Portowa the first postwar line, opened on 12 August 1945. Not all of prewar routes had been rebuilt, like those in Staszica Street, E. Plater Street, Rayskiego Street, part of Malczewskiego Street (from Wyzwolenia avenue to Matejki Street), Wendy Street and through Most Cłowy, while a part of already existing routes had been extended. The first postwar company to manage public transport in Szczecin, was Tramwaje i autobusy miasta Szczecina, in the 1950s its name have been changed into Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Komunikacyjne. That company managed 113 trams and 123 trailers. Bus stock have been fully destroyed. In 1945, in Szczecin worked 23 motormans (mainly from Poznań), and at the end of the same year there were already 560 motormans. In 1946 were opened 4 lines, which had a total length of route 16,7 km. 4 April 1947, have been opened the first postwar bus line. Tram lines in 1946:

Tram lines in 1948:

1956–1989

In 1956, were working 9 tram lines. Routes of lines 1, 5, 7 and 9 led through currently not existing tram tracks in Wojska Polskiego avenue (from Zwycięstwa square to Szarych Szeregów square), Obrońców Stalingradu Street and at the Old Town. 7 December 1967, about 6:35 o'clock, happened the most horrible catastrophe in history of Szczecin tram transport - tram accident in Wyszaka Street.

List of tram lines in 1964:

On 1 December 1973, as a result of tendency to close tram lines in the centre of cities, tram transport was abolished in Wojska Polskiego avenue (from former Lenin square – current Szarych Szeregów to Zwycięstwa square), Obrońców Stalingradu Street and Jagiellońska Street (from Wojska Polskiego avenue to Piastów avenue). Apart from closing tracks, new one have been opened in Bohaterów Warszawy avenue (from Jagiellońska Street) and Krzywoustego Street (to Kościuszki square). In 1976, MPK was transformed into Wojewódzkie Przedsiębiorstwo Komunikacji Miejskiej, which managed public transport also in other cities of Szczecin Voivodeship. In 1983, modernisation of tram depo Pogodno was finished.

List of tram lines in 1988:

After 2009

On 1 January 2009, Miejski Zakład Komunikacyjny (operator of trams in Szczecin) was transformed into new company Tramwaje Szczecińskie sp. z o.o. On 1 February 2011, PESA 120NaS „Swing” - first low-floor tram in Szczecin, began operation. On 26 March 2011, started modernisation of tram tracks in Krasińskiego Street, Niemierzyńska Street and Arkońska Street. On 1 March 2012, were changed ticket fares, current time limits are: 15, 30, 60 and 120 minutes. From April to August, during repairs of Brama Portowa square, old tram tracks had been replaced into modern one. After 20 years of being abolished, on 3 September 2012, 10 tram line was launched on new route Gumieńce-Plac Rodła. At the end of 2013, have begun construction of Szczecin Rapid Tram (1st part). End of 1st part construction was said to have ended in April, 2015. 14 April 2014, were finished repairs of tram tracks in Piastów avenue, at the same time began repairs of run-down tram track in Potulicka Street and Narutowicza Street. Repair includes replacing old track and pavements for new. Balloon loop "Potulicka" was also said to have been renovated. In autumn, 2014, have begun repairs of tram tracks in 3 Maja avenue.

Current

It was built in 1898. It replaced earlier horse tram depot. The depot was renovated in 1926, 1979 and 1992. The first tram Konstal 105N reached the depot in June 1991. Since May 2001, in Golęcin are also stored trams 105N2k/2000. Since 2008, the depot owns trams Tatra T6A2D, which have been bought from Berlin. Today, Golęcin operates lines 5, 6, 11 and 12.

It is the largest and youngest tram depot. It was built in 1934 and expanded in 1981. All newly bought trams were sent here to 1991. Since the 90s, in the depot have been stored Konstal 105N trams and their newer version, 105N2k/2000. The depot stores also low-floor PESA 120Na and 120NaS2 trams. Except for these trams, Pogodno owns also former Berlin trams Tatra T6A2 and Tatra KT4Dt. Nowadays, depot operates lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12. The depot is currently being renovated.

Former

Temporary organisation

Lines are working according to normal organisation.