Tallinn trolleybus service celebrates half-century
On July 6, 1965, trolleybus service began in the capital, with a route from the Estonian National Opera "Estonia" to Hippodrome, a harness racing track.
Despite many regime and economic changes and city-planning, the Tallinn trolleybuses have stood the test of time and the service is celebrating its 50 years today.
Trolleybuses were planned in Tallinn as early as in 1946, but the first route was finally opened in 1965. Since then, there have been nine trolleybus routes altogether – the last opened one as late as 1987 – but 7 lines operated by 85 trolleybuses remain.
First, the Soviet-made ZiU-5 trolleybuses were used, while the later stock mostly consisted of Škodas, manufactured in Czechoslovakia. Since 2002, Polish-produced Solaris has gradually replaced the ageing Škoda-fleet.
Tallinn is the only city in Estonia ever to have trams or trolleybuses. The first tram route was opened in 1888.
The world's first passenger-carrying trolleybus started operating at Bielatal near Dresden, Germany in 1901.
Editor: S. Tambur
