Trams in Poznań

Trams in Poznań
Tram at Wierzbięcice Street in Poznań
Tram at Wierzbięcice Street in Poznań
Overview
Native nameTramwaje w Poznaniu
OwnerCity of Poznań
LocalePoznań, Poland
Transit typeTram
Number of lines
24
  • Daytime: 19
  • Nighttime: 2
  • Tourist: 3
Websitewww.ztm.poznan.pl/en/
MPK Poznań
Operation
Began operation
30 July 1880 (horsecar)
6 March 1898 (electric tram)
OperatorMPK Poznań
Number of vehicles
~430 (81 low-floor)
Technical
System length87 km (54 mi) (2023)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
System map

  Regular tram tracks
  Poznań Fast Tram tracks
  Tram depots
T  Tram tracks used exclusively for purposes of touristic lines, and their terminus
   Tram tracks connected to the network that are no longer in use
abc  Active terminal tram stops
abc  Terminal tram stops used in emergency situations only

The Poznań tram system is a tramway operated by Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Komunikacyjne w Poznaniu Sp. z o.o. [pl] (MPK Poznań; Public Transport Company in Poznań Ltd.). It currently has 18 daytime lines, 2 night lines, and 3 tourist lines served by historical vehicles. The tram system consists of about 87 kilometres (54 mi) of route, operating on 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 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 World War 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.

Logo of Zarząd Transportu Miejskiego w Poznaniu

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.

On 14 August 2007 a long new route opened, as 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.

In 2011, MPK decided to sell 40 type 105Na trams due to lack of space in the depots for this type of trams. In addition, 45 Solaris Tramino trams were ordered along with 7 Moderus Beta trams.

On 11 August 2012 the final section of the route to Franowo opened, connecting the area of the former terminus loop at os. Lech with a new loop in Franowo. Part of the route runs through the 800m Franowo tunnel. At Franowo there is also a large, modern depot.

On 1 September 2013 an extension of the PST route was opened which runs parallel to the railway line between Poznan Główny station and Głogowska. This uses space that became available from the former platform 7 at the station.

Rolling stock

Image Type Number Builder Built Fleet numbers Description
Tatra RT6N1 16 Tatra 1997 399–414 Modernised 2012–2016, trams no. 399 and 400 were purchased and modernised in 2021
Siemens Combino 14 Siemens 2003 501–514 Modernised 2022–2024
Moderus Alfa 105N-HF07 36 Modertrans Poznań 2008–2010 83–337 Trams rebuilt from former Konstal 105Na trams
Moderus Beta MF 02 AC 24 Modertrans Poznań 2011–2015 415–438 Tram #438 was rebuilt after a major accident and repurposed for a training tram

In 2025, the modernization of the wagons was begun

Solaris Tramino 46 Solaris Bus & Coach 2011–2012 515–559, 560 560 (ex. 451) was the prototype tram and wears a different red and white livery
Moderus Beta MF 20 AC 20 Modertrans Poznań 2016–2017 441–460
Moderus Beta MF 22 AC BD 10 Modertrans Poznań 2016–2017 911–920
Moderus Gamma LF02AC 30 Modertrans Poznań 2018–2019 601–630 Trams built from scratch in Modertrans Poznań factory based in Biskupice, Poznań County
Moderus Gamma LF 03 AC BD 20 Modertrans Poznań 2019 921–940
Moderus Gamma LF 04 AC BD 30 Modertrans Poznań 2025 941–970
Duewag R1.1 24 Duewag / Siemens 1994 971-994 Purchased from Bonn

Historical vehicles:

Retired cars:

Tram lines

Poznań has 18 regular lines as well as 3 night lines and 2 tourist line. Most lines run trams every 10 minutes on weekdays and every 20 minutes on weekends.

Daily all day1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18
Tourist weekends0, 20
Tourist on selected days (announced separately) H
Nightly daily201, 202
Route no. Route
Daytime routes
JUNIKOWO – Grunwaldzka – Rondo Nowaka-Jeziorańskiego – Reymonta – Hetmańska – Rondo Starołęka – Hetmańska – Rondo Żegrze – Żegrze – Chartowo – Piaśnicka – FRANOWO
DĘBIEC PKM – 28 Czerwca 1956 r. – Wierzbięcice – Matyi – Towarowa – Święty Marcin – Zwierzyniecka – Kraszewskiego – Dąbrowskiego – OGRODY
UNII LUBELSKIEJ - Żegrze - Chartowo - Trasa Kórnicka - Warczygłowy - Kórnicka - Mostowa - Pl. Bernardyński - Podgórna - Aleje Marcinkowskiego - 27 Grudnia - Fredry – Roosevelta – Pułaskiego – Winogrady – Przełajowa – Naramowicka – al. Praw Kobiet – BŁAŻEJA
POŁABSKA - Murawa - Winogrady - Puławskiego - Fredry - Pl. Ratajskiego - Pl. Wielkopolski - Małe Garbary - MAŁE GARBARY
GÓRCZYN PKM – Matyi – Towarowa – Święty Marcin – Aleje Marcinkowskiego – Podgórna – pl. Bernardyński – Mostowa – Kórnicka – Jana Pawła II – Podwale – ZAWADY
MIŁOSTOWO – Warszawska – Jana Pawła II – Krzywoustego – Królowej Jadwigi Górna Wilda - Wierzbięcice – Matyi – Roosevelta – Bukowska – Grunwaldzka – BUDZISZYŃSKA
MIŁOSTOWO - Warszawska – Jana Pawła II – Zamenhofa – Hetmańska – Reymonta – Przybyszewskiego – Dąbrowskiego – OGRODY
OGRODY – Dąbrowskiego – Fredry – Gwarna - Święty Marcin - Aleje Marcinkowskiego - Podgórna - Pl. Bernardyński - Mostowa - Kórnicka - Jana Pawła II – Warszawska – MIŁOSTOWO
DĘBIEC PKM – 28 Czerwca 1956 r. – Górna Wilda – Królowej Jadwigi – Strzelecka – Aleje Marcinkowskiego – pl. Wolności – Fredry – Roosevelta – Pułaskiego – al. Wielkopolska – Małopolska – Wołyńska – Winiarska – os. Winiary – Witosa – Bronowa – PIĄTKOWSKA
BŁAŻEJA – Praw Kobiet – Naramowicka – Przełajowa – Winogrady – Pułaskiego – Roosevelta – Rondo Kaponiera – Roosevelta – Most Dworcowy – Wierzbięcice – 28 Czerwca 1956 r. – DĘBIEC
PIĄTKOWSKA – Winiarska – Wołyńska – Małopolska – Al. Wielkopolska – Pułaskiego – Roosevelta – Rondo Kaponiera – Roosevelta – Głogowska – Hetmańska – Rondo Starołęka – Hetmańska – Rondo Żegrze – Unii Lubelskiej – UNII LUBELSKIEJ
OS. SOBIESKIEGO – Głogowska – Matyi – Wierzbięcice - Górna Wilda - Królowej Jadwigi – Krzywoustego – Zamenhofa – Starołęcka – STAROŁĘKA PKM
STAROŁĘKA PKM – Zamenhofa – Jana Pawła II – Kórnicka – Mostowa – pl. Bernardyński – Podgórna – Aleje Marcinkowskiego – pl. Wolności – Gwarna – Święty Marcin – Bukowska – Grunwaldzka – JUNIKOWO
GÓRCZYN PKM – Głogowska – Trasa PST – OS. SOBIESKIEGO
OS. SOBIESKIEGO – Trasa PST – Roosevelta – Bukowska – Grunwaldzka – JUNIKOWO
OS. SOBIESKIEGO – Trasa PST – Fredry – Gwarna – Święty Marcin – Aleje Marcinkowskiego – Podgórna – pl. Bernardyński – Mostowa – Kórnicka – Warczygłowy – Trasa Kórnicka – Piaśnicka – Szwajcarska – FRANOWO
GÓRCZYN PKM – Matyi – Towarowa – Święty Marcin – Gwarna – pl. Ratajskiego – pl. Wielkopolski – Małe Garbary – MAŁE GARBARY
OGRODY – Dąbrowskiego – Roosevelta – Rondo Kaponiera – Roosevelta – Matyi – Wierzbięcice - Górna Wilda - Królowej Jadwigi – Krzywoustego – Rondo Rataje – Jana Pawła II - Warczygłowy - Trasa Kórnicka – Piaśnicka – FRANOWO
Nighttime routes
UNII LUBELSKIEJ – Unii Lubelskiej – Żegrze – Chartowo – Trasa Kórnicka – Warczygłowy – Kórnicka – Mostowa – pl. Bernardyński – Podgórna – Aleje Marcinkowskiego – pl. Wolności – Gwarna – Święty Marcin – Roosevelta – Głogowska – Trasa PST – OS. SOBIESKIEGO
FRANOWO – Szwajcarska – Piaśnicka – Trasa Kórnicka – Warczygłowy – Kórnicka – Mostowa – pl. Bernardyński – Podgórna – Aleje Marcinkowskiego – pl. Wolności – Fredry – Roosevelta – Trasa PST – OS. SOBIESKIEGO
Tourist route
GAJOWA – Zwierzyniecka – Kraszewskiego – Dąbrowskiego – Roosevelta – Rondo Kaponiera – Roosevelta – Matyi – Wierzbięcice – 28 Czerwca – ZAJEZDNIA MADALIŃSKIEGO – Hetmańska – Głogowska – Roosevelta – Rondo Kaponiera – Zwierzyniecka – GAJOWA


Operates on weekends between 29 April and 14 October.


Depots

This is the second largest tram depot in Poznan (after Franowo). It was built in 1907 and underwent modernisation between 1998 and 2000 in preparation for low floor trams. It is close to the tram stop Krauthofera.

This depot opened in 1980 at the Starołęka terminus. The construction began in 1974

This is the largest and newest depot in Poznan, opened on 11 May 2014. The depot has space for 100 trams.

The following depots have now closed:

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:

References

Notes

  1. ↑ "Modernised Combinos for MPK Poznań". Urban Transport Magazine. 22 February 2023.
  2. ↑ Tramino and Moderus Beta trams go into service in Poznan Railway Gazette International 24 May 2011
  3. ↑ "City of Poznań | Schedules". 27 April 2025.
  4. ↑ Redakcja (2010-06-01). "Dzień Dziecka z Bimbolą". Poznań Nasze Miasto (in Polish). Retrieved 2019-12-12.

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