Ceremonial Completion of Infrastructure Construction for Trolleybus Routes 51 and 53

26. 06. 2026

Prague Public Transit Company (DPP) has completed the construction of infrastructure for trolleybus routes 51 and 53. On Friday, 26 June 2026, trial operations on both routes were officially inaugurated.

As part of these two investment projects, DPP built a total of more than 15 kilometres of overhead trolleybus wiring for vehicle power supply and battery charging (single-track measurement), two new traction substations (U Matěje for route 51 and Strahov for route 53), and 451 traction poles, the vast majority of which also serve as public lighting poles.

Operations on trolleybus routes 51 and 53, similarly to route 52—whose infrastructure was completed by DPP in April this year—are currently provided by one additional trolleybus duty operating alongside the existing bus timetables of routes 131 and 176, and 137 respectively. Full trolleybus operation and the conversion of bus routes 131, 137 and 176 into trolleybus routes 51, 52 and 53 will take place gradually following the completion of the acceptance procedure and the transfer of the new Bozankaya SNG 12T trolleybuses into DPP ownership.

All 30 new Bozankaya SNG 12T trolleybuses ordered by DPP last year have been manufactured and are currently located at DPP’s Řepy and Klíčov depots. The acceptance procedure is currently underway for 20 vehicles, while the first seven vehicles ordered and delivered are already at an advanced stage of the process

Electrification of Route 131 (51)

The electrification project for the former bus route 131 is based on a combination of overhead wiring and battery operation of battery-assisted trolleybuses. Overhead wiring was installed on the key section between Bořislavka and the Zelená stop, while the remaining parts of the route are served in battery mode. The project also includes the new U Matěje traction substation supplying the overhead network and charging infrastructure at the Na Pískách terminal. In total, approximately 7.8 km of overhead wiring was constructed, with particular emphasis placed on the sensitive integration of the infrastructure into the public space.

Electrification of Route 176 (53)

The electrification project for the former bus route 176 is based on the construction of overhead wiring along the majority of the route between Smíchov and Stadion Strahov, particularly on sections with challenging gradients. In the remaining sections, battery-assisted trolleybuses operate using battery power, enabling flexible operation without the need for continuous overhead wiring. The project also includes the construction of charging infrastructure at Karlovo náměstí and power supply arrangements through the new Strahov traction substation and the upgraded Hřebenka substation. In total, approximately 7.5 km of overhead wiring was installed. The project was implemented with a strong focus on sensitive integration into the urban environment, including the minimisation of new poles. As a result of the electrification, the former bus route 176 will become trolleybus route 53, bringing quieter and emission-free operation, particularly on the demanding uphill section between Smíchov and Strahov.