The Toruń tram system is a tramway in Toruń, Poland that has been in operation since 1891. The system is operated by (MZK Toruń). There are 7 tramlines with a total line length of . The system operates on of route on (narrow gauge) track. The entire rolling stock of the tram system numbers 67 trams, 22 newer Pesa Swing trams, and 45 older Konstal 805Na Trams. The entire tramline runs on double tracks and uses balloon loops.

Today, the entire tram network is located on the northern side of the Vistula River, even though a large portion of the city extends southwards. Therefore, the tram system does not serve the cities main railway station.

History

Beginnings opened the first horse-drawn tram line on 16 May 1891, running from to the neighborhood of Bydgoszczskie Przedmieście. The Tram Line was electrified in 1899, and in December 1901, the city of Toruń took over responsibility for the maintenance and expansion of the tram line. In 1902, the city opened a second tram line to the Mokre, and in 1907, a third line to Chełmiński Przedmieście. Further expansion of the line was proposed, but ultimately halted by the outbreak of World War I.

Following the conclusion of the First World War, Operation of the tramway was taken over by the Second Polish Republic. Most of the rolling stock was in extremely poor condition, and all operations ceased for three months in 1921 to allow for repairs of the trams. In 1934, the fourth tram line began operation to Toruń Główny railway station, bringing trams to the south of the city. A 5th line to Jakubskie Przedmieście was completed in 1935.

World War II During World War II, the city of Toruń was captured on 7 September 1939 by the advancing German Army. Shortly before the capture of the city, the Józef Piłsudski Bridge was destroyed by the Polish Army, thus cutting off the southern side of the city.

During the war, the tram network was run by the Germans and resumed normal operation. The Germans built a temporary wooden bridge that could carry buses to the other side of the Vistula River. These buses replaced the previous tram line across the river until a replacement bridge was completed in 1950. During the final months of World War II, all tram lines sustained significant damage. The tram network ceased operation for a few months until repairs could be made.

1945-1991 In 1955, the line in Chełmiński Przedmieście began an extension to, first, the railway station of Pólnoncy, and then later, in 1958, the line was extended to Wrzosy.

The 1970s and early 1980s were a huge time of expansion for the Tram Network. In 1970, the tramway was rerouted and no longer traveled through the center of the city. In 1971, an extension of the west terminus was moved to the current day Motoarena. In 1974, a tram line to Elana was completed. In 1979, The tram line on Grudzaidzka Street was completely rerouted onto the neighboring Przy Kaszowniku Street. This realighment was connected to the center of the city with the extension of the line from Dworzec Wshodnia to Petla Wshodnia in 1980.

In 1981, the line to Jakubskie Przedmieście was extended to Ślaskiego. Then in 1986, this line was further extended to Olimpijska, where the current eastern end of the Tram network ends. Also in 1986, a tram line was built along Kraszewkiego Street.

During the late 1980s, The Expansion of tram lines was halted and replaced by new bus lines instead. Many lines were liquidated during this time, including the tram Line on the to the Toruń Główny was closed and converted into exclusively a road bridge. Since then, Trams in Toruń have exclusively operated on the northern bank of the Vistula. Other liquidations included the line to Wroszy, which was first reduced to Station of Toruń Pólnoncy in 1972. Later, in 1991, after the closure of the station, the line was completely dismantled.

1992-Present In 2011, the tram line on Wshodnia street was dismantled.

A extension was built to serve Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń. It was originally projected to open in 2013, but the extension ultimately opened for service on 24 June 2014.

The most recent extension, built to serve the Osiedle Jar housing estate in the north of the town, was inaugurated on 25 August 2023 and started normal passenger operations on 1 September 2023.

Future

There are currently several plans to extend the City of Toruń tram network. These plans are in different stages of planning or consideration

Beginning in 2026, construction of a line extension from the MotoArena Toruń to Starotoruńskie Przedmieście is planned. A new tram depot is planned at the new eastern terminus, a bus depot is also planned.

In 2025, there was a proposal by the mayor to link the southern side of the city to the tram network. This plan would involve building a new bridge over the vistula river.

Currently, there are plans to link Olimpiska P&R to Elana, forming a complete loop of the system and extending Tram lines 2 and 4 to Olimpiska

There are also long-term plans to connect the Toruń Tram system to Bydgoszcz to facilitate a new connection between the metropolitan areas. The Tram Line was included in a 2030 plan, with a new bridge across the Vistula River near Bydgoszcz. This Tram line would have a travel time of 70 minutes. The line would serve to further link the Bydgoszcz–Toruń metropolitan area

Tram lines There are 7 regular tram lines in Toruń. There is also a Tourist/Event line and a Night-time line.

All lines regular except 7 on the network run every 30 minutes during weekends and off-peak hours, and every 20 minutes during peak hours. The peak hours are usually 7AM-8AM, and 1PM-4PM The city does not run more trams during peak hours during times schools are not in session.

Line 7 runs every 30 minutes on Weekdays except when school is not in session, when it only runs during peak hours.

An 8th line occasionally serves large amounts of traffic at the MotoArena Toruń. The 8th line is also occasionally used as a tourist line running historical vehicles during the summer tourist season.

Line "9" is the city's night tram; it runs occasionally during tourist season weekends, as well as local festivities and holidays.

Daily all day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7Weekdays only all day N/A peak hours only N/AReplacement LineTemporary8 Night Tramseasonal during summer weekends, and holidays/local festivies9

Operational Line Map Route Number of stops Circuit Time Frequency 1 Uniwersytet – Olimpiska P&R – via Toruń Miasto PKP, 25 35Weekdays off-peak 30Weekdays peak 20Weekends 30Holidays 45 2 Motoarena – Elana via Dworczec Wschodni 20 30 Weekdays off-peak 30Weekdays peak 20Weekends 30Holidays 453Motoarena – Heweliuszavia Plac Rapackiego 26 34Weekdays off-peak 30Weekdays peak 20Weekends 30Holidays 45 4 Uniwersytet – Elanavia Dworczec Wschodni 21 30 Weekdays off-peak 30Weekdays peak 20Weekends 30Holidays 45 5 Motoarena – Olimpijska P&R via Toruń Miasto 24 34 Weekdays off-peak 30Weekdays peak 20Weekends 30Holidays 45 6 Hewelisuza – Olimpijska P&Rvia Toruń Miasto 28 40 Weekdays off-peak 30Weekdays peak 20Weekends 30Holidays 45 7 Uniwersytet – Wshodnia – via Plac Rapackiego 22 34 30

Suspended/Not Running Line Map Route Number of stops Circuit Time Frequency 8 Motoarena – Aleja Solidarności 8/11 12 15 9 Uniwersytet – Aleja Solidarności 11 13 Piernikaliami 20-30 Juwenalia 20-30

Rolling stock Current Operational Fleet Type Production Number Low-floorKonstal 805Na198027Konstal 805NaND (modernised 805Na)200718http://infotram.pl/text.php?id=62914. 122NbT Swing20146121NbT Swing20156122NbTDuo Swing20155122NaT Swing2021-20225Total6732% Historical fleet Type Production RestoredKonstal 5N1960 1993 Technical Fleet Type ProductionKonstal 5N1960 Infrastructure

Termini Current Name Schematic Opening Year Tracks Lines Notes Motoarena 1971 3 2, 3, 5 Also occasionally used by Line 8 (Event Tram) Wcshodnia 1974 2 7 Southern Tracks Abandoned Elana 1974 1 2, 4 Rebuilt in 2012 Olimpska Park&Ride 1984 5 + 2 1, 5, 6 Uniwerstet 2014 2 1, 4, 7 Also occasionally used by Line 9 (Night Tram) Heweliusza 2023 2 3, 6 Former Name Schematic Opening Year Closing Date Tracks Lines (Formerly) Closing Reason Dworzec Główny 1954 1984 1 4, 6 Lidquidation of Line to Toruń Główny in order to convert bridge to exclusively road traffic. Wroszy 1958 1972 1 3 Lidquidation of Line. Toruń Północny 1955 1991 1 3 Closure of Station. Whole Line was Liquidated. Ślaskiego 1981 1988 2 1, 4, 5 Extension of line to Olimpska P&R Wshodnia 1917 1976 1 Realingment of Track

Bus Exchange Stops Name Schematic Opening Year Lines Notes Plac Rapackiego 2020 3, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 27, 32, 131, 151, 152 Track Originally Built in 1927 Aleja Solidarności 2014 1, 3, 6, 7, 10, 12, 13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 27, 30, 31, 32, 38, 111, 112, 115, 141, 151, 152 Previously Dismantled in the 1980s, Rebuilt in 2014 with University Extension. Długa 2023 3, 6, 16, 34

Depot

The current tram depot is located on Henryka Sienkiewicza Street. It is currently the only tram depot on the entire network.

As part of an extension project west of the MotoArena, a new tram/bus depot will be built.

Maps

Gallery

References Notes

References