Liepājas tramvajs

The tram in Liepāja has existed since 1899. Latvian city of Liepaja has the oldest electric tram network in the Baltic States. Since 1972 exists in Liepaja, only a single tram line Metallurgy ( Grobiņas iela ) ↔ Central Cemetery ( Vainodes iela ) 6.9 km in length. The tram Liepāja is the only meter gauge tram system in Latvia. In contrast to other Latvian trams (Rīga, Daugavpils ), use the trolley booms, used the tram Liepāja since 1961 pantograph ( pantograph ). On May 29, 2013 was a route extension from Central Cemetery to the suburb Ezerkrast 2 in operation.

History

On August 22, 1896 City Council Libau to build an electric streetcar line decided. The competition to build the tram won the Nuremberg Continental Society for electric companies. On December 14, 1896 Mayor Adolphi and representatives of Nuremberg Continental Society Manaschewitsch signed the agreement pursuant to which the Company for 40 years got the right to the operation of the tram. The city was given the right to buy the tram system after 20 years. The total length of the two lines to be constructed was 10.42 km.

The test drives the tram Libau began on September 14, 1899, the scheduled time of operation was recorded on 26 September 1899. As of October 14, 1899, two lines were operated: the white line to the military port ( Karosta ) and the green line to the station. In November 1899 both lines were extended to Alt - Libau (Siena tirgus ).

End of June 1941, the tram service was temporarily suspended in Liepāja, because the advancing German forces bombed the city. In mid-July 1941, the tram traffic was resumed. The section along the Peldu iela ( Peldu Street) was closed and the tracks were used to repair the other routes. In 1944, the top line of the tram network was dismantled by order of the German occupying forces, as she was interested in copper. Consequently, had the tram operation a second time can be set, but on 7 November 1945, the tram service could begin again.

In 1950 the construction of a new route, connecting the city center with the sugar factory at the Ventspils iela began. The tracks on this route given the line number 3 due to lack of profitability, this line has already been shut down in 1953 again.

In 1961, the bar pantographs were replaced by pantographs. Within a day, on 17 December 1961, the top line has been rebuilt, so that on 18 December 1961, the trams were able to resume with scissors pantographs operation.

On June 23, 1972, the tram line from the Old Town to the Klaipeda iela ( Klaipeda - road) to Central Cemetery ( Centrālie kapi ) has been enhanced, making the route network grew significantly. Lines 1 and 2 were extended to the new terminal. With the growth in vehicle kilometers a wagon shortage, which is why the company was set to the line 4 to the military port ( Karosta ) on 6 October 1972 saw.

On March 15, 1976, the system of tickets was introduced in Liepāja. Tickets could be purchased from the conductor in the newsagents " Союзпечать " and in the tram.

September 3, 2009 began for the first time in the history of Liepāja a tram tram fire. The car type KT4 # 242 (ex Erfurt) burned out completely.

On May 29, 2013 Line extension from Central Cemetery to the suburb Ezerkrast 2 went ( through the streets Tukuma, Vainodes and Mirdzas Kempes ) in operation.

Rolling stock

The tram Liepāja sat in their history, the following vehicle types: Herbrand, Fenix ​​, Gotha and Tatra. The first railways carried the numbers 1 to 9 and were in the wagon factory P. Herbrand jr. built in Cologne. In 1903, seven more railcars (No. 10-16) were purchased from Herbrand, 1907 another two (no. 17 and 18). By 1914, another railcar was purchased (No. 19). In addition, 14 trailers were used, open and closed eight six of them.

After the outbreak of the First World War, the expansion of the tram fleet was stopped. At the time of independence of Latvia, as Libau received its present name Liepāja, the same vehicles were still in use. However, their condition worsened despite regular repairs. After the Second World War, the fleet of the Soviet city further consisted of the Herbrand car (now provided with the numbers 101-119 ). Twelve of you were given a new body in contemporary design. Also, some tracks were built from 1949 to 1956, based on axles and car bodies from Kaliningrad ( especially car 122 ). All lanes had rod current collector, as well as in Riga and Daugavpils.

Between 1957 and 1962, Gotha trams were delivered with scissors pantographs after Liepāja. In addition to eight railcars T57 ( piece, No. 125-132 ), 13 T59E (No. 133-145 ) and eight T2 -62 (No. 146-153 ) came eight sidecar V57 (No. 15-22 ), three V59E ( No. 23-25) and seven B2 -62 (No. 26-32 ) to Liepaja.

After setting the tram production in Gotha in 1966 the fleet of trams Liepāja was expanded by sheets of Czechoslovak production. From 1976 to 1979 15 Tatra cars T4SU (No. 201-215 ) were delivered, 1983-1988 22 cars of the type KT4 SU (No. 216-235, the numbers 220 and 221 were assigned twice ).

In 2000, the purchase of used vehicles from the former GDR began. A total of twelve tracks of type Tatra KT4 D were acquired, which were produced at the beginning of the 1990s: in 2000 three cars from Cottbus (No. 236-238 ), in 2001 a web of Gera (No. 239), in between 2003 and 2005 four lanes from Erfurt (No. 240-247 ).

Currently, at the tram Liepāja 17 cars of the type Tatra KT4 in use, including twelve second hand from Germany. It is driven exclusively with solo vehicle, tractions are not in use. For the commercial operation only seven courses are required.

Tickets

Tickets for the tram Liepāja must be validated at start-up, as well as an electronic ticketing via SMS is also possible. In 2011, the one-way cost 0.40 lats. Entwerter print the wagon number, date and time on the ticket. After validation, the validity is 24 minutes - this time is enough for driving the entire length of the route from. Tickets can be purchased in advance at kiosks, shops and other outlets or upon boarding the driver. The fine for driving without a valid ticket is 5 Ls. The tram tickets are colorful: In 2010, on the front of the Rose Square ( lett: Rožu laukums ) mapped in 2011, the schematic line network of public transport against the backdrop of a map of Liepāja.