Sarajevo Tramway

Sarajevo Tramway
Info
Locale	Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Transit type	Tram
Number of lines	1 (7 routes)
Operation
Began operation	1885 (horse tram) n/a (electric tram)
Operator(s)	JKP GRAS Sarajevo
Number of vehicles	around 90
Technical
System length	10.7 km (6.6 mi)
Track gauge	1,435 mm

Sarajevo Tramway Map

Tatra K2 tram in Sarajevo

The Sarajevo Tramway, one of Europe's oldest, consists of one line. It is 10.7 kilometres (6.6 mi) long, being an east-west link from the city centre district (Baščaršija) to the suburb Ilidža. It has a 0.4 kilometres (0.25 mi) long detour to the city's railway station (Željeznička Stanica).

The system is run by JKP GRAS Sarajevo, who also operate trolley bus and bus routes in the city.

History

Sarajevo had the first full-time (dawn to dusk) tram line in Europe. Opened on New Years Day in 1885, it was the testing line for the tram in Vienna and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and operated by horses. Originally built to 760mm narrow gauge (Bosnian gauge), the present system in 1960 was upgraded to standard gauge (1435 mm). The trams played a pivotal role in the growth of the city in the 20th century.

During the Siege of Sarajevo in the mid 1990s, trackwork and numerous vehicles were badly damaged - these are once again operational though marks remain on some vehicles.

System

The route lies on the main boulevard of Sarajevo, which is named (from west to east) first Bulevar Meše Selimovića (formerly 6 Proleterske Brigade), from Vila Čengić then Zmaj od Bosne (formerly Vojvode Radomira Putnika). From the district Marijin Dvor it runs a loop in a counter-clockwise direction along the Miljacska river on the street called Obala Kulina bana (formerly: Obala Vojvode Stepe Stepanovića). It proceeds to the terminus Baščaršija. The route then turns back toward Marin Dvor on the northern parallel road Maršala Tita.

Seven routes are presently in operation on the system, often only a specific section of the track (only route 3 operates the entire length).

• Route 1: Željeznička stanica – Baščaršija
• Route 2: Čengić Vila – Baščaršija
• Route 3: Ilidža – Baščaršija
• Route 4: Ilidža – Željeznička stanica
• Route 5: Nedžarići – Baščaršija
• Route 6: Ilidža – Skenderija
• Route 7: Nedžarići – Skenderija

Rolling stock

The fleet in use on the network are Tatra K2 articulated trams from the Czech Republic, delivered in the 1970s and early 1980s. Later these trams have been joined by more modern vehicles in recent times. In 2008, Amsterdam donated 16 old trams to Sarajevo.

Gallery

• 

  Articulated Tatra K2 outside distinctive Holiday Inn Hotel

• 

  Refurbished Tatra 3-carriage tram on display

• 

  Former Amsterdam tram

• 

  A tram of Wien

See also

• List of rapid transit systems
• Trams in Europe

External links

• JKG Gras Sarajevo
• Virtualno Sarajevo - Sarajevo Trams