100
YEARS OF
PRAHA'S
METRO
IV. - Towards The Suburbs (1985-1994)
Planned extension of metro to suburbian parts of the city was main
reason of one important news in 1985, shortly before opening of B line,
new depot in Hostivar was opened. This depot was important for service
on line A, but in these area, also central workshop was later opened (in
1990). Since 1986, when this depot comes fully to service, there was a
bit chaotic system of serving lines, so depot on A line was responsible
for all trains of A line, and also for hal trains of C line. Kacerov, depot
on line C was responsible only for half of "his" line, and for complete
service on B line. This was not changed until opening of third depot in
1994.
Unusual was also connection to network. From station Zelivskeho, tracks
without stations was built. Even after opening, one station was still under
construction. In 1986, decision was taken, to built another new station
on this line, later named Skalka.
First station, named Strašnická was opened later in 1987. It was not
most important improvement of network, but still, it was good service for
citizens of Strasnice's area. With opening of this connection, line A was
completely finished (well, except opening Skalka station on existing track
in 1990), so all construction was moved on B line. First new part line,
named III.B was built since 1983 and opened in 1988 as an extension from
Smichovske nadrazi towards the west. Three new statations were opened at
this time. On this new tracks, lot of things was interested, distance between
Smichovske Nadrazi and Radlicka is longest inter-station distance in whole
network. Also, between these two stations, there is hilliest route of Praha's
metro. Station Radlicka is in area, where no other buses or tramways are
connected to, at this moment this was also unique. Track was opened, as
a celebration of 70th anniversary of Czechoslovakia.
Year 1990 was again important for metro. At least, new station Skalka
on track to depot Hostivar was opened. There is quite unusual situation
in Strasnicka station, where tracks to Skalka continues from middle rails
of "Y" turn. There is usually very hard turn, so "new" passengers are scared
often. There are still plans, to built new line from Strasnicka towards
southeast parts to city, so route to Skalka will be branch line later.
Since this opening, only line B was changed. Even in 1990, important
extension from Florenc in eastern direction to station Ceskomoravska was
opened. This line, with 4 stations was very important, because it helps
to solve urban transport problems in this industrial area. Projecting of
this line wasn't easy, even until 1982 there was planned branch line from
Palmovka to Harfa
Major changes were made in tramway network in that area, and important
connection tramway line Ohrada-Palmovka was built, also another short tramway
line in area of Palmovka was new. All tramway and metro lines were opened
on 23rd November 1990. This line was built in changed economical condition,
so there is still very good seen, that there were saved money on several
parts. On two stations, Palmovka and Ceskomoravska, important connection
to varied urban and interurban bus lines are possible. In that year, also
last russian metrocars were purchased, and for about 8 years no new vehicles
were purchased.
Construction of B line should conitued with extensions to Zlicin and
Cerny Most. Changed economical situation was main reason for thinking,
if there is really need to finish these lines (in case of Cerny Most extension
if to even start with construction here). Sooner, there were usually "other"
problems, why there something couldn't be built. Since 1990, everything
is problem of money only.
Line V.B was lucky, because in 1990, large portion of track was already
finished. Although there were some delays (project was planned to open
this line in 1993), finally, on 11th November 1994, quite long part of
track, 5100 m long with five stations was opened at this moment. Also,
first part of depot in Zlicin was finished at that date.
New route had several new nice things. Fist, except Stodulky, most
of the stations is on the surface. They are not opened, they are covered
with roof, so it still looks like underground station, but stations are
opened to daily light. Between stations Hurka and Luziny, metro runs again
"inside" of bridge. There are windows in this bridge, so passengers can
look inside. Also, on station Stodulky, there is strange thing. Sooner,
branch line with two stations was planned here to start and to go to southwestern
direction, where new housing estate was planned. In early 90's, construction
of this was abandoned, but station Stodulky is still prepared for construction
of this branch route. There are plans to built here colony of medium-sized
family houses, so there is still small chance, that this branch extension
will be built. Last station is Zlicin, where new depot was also opened.
Since this, every line has it's "own" depot, so service tracks are used
only sometimes...
11th November 1994, when metro reaches Zlicin is end for "past" of
this kind of urban transport. Rest - that is presence, and it will be desribed
in last chapter...
Stations opened 1986-1994:
Line |
Former name |
Current Name |
Opened |
Station type |
No.Of Exits |
Deep under surface |
III.A |
Strašnická |
Strašnická |
11.7.1987 |
1 hall |
1, second not finished |
8 |
III.B |
Radlická |
Radlická |
26.10.1988 |
1 hall |
1 |
11 |
III.B |
Švermova |
Jinonická |
26.10.1988 |
three halls |
1 |
23 |
III.B |
Dukelská |
Nové Butovice |
26.10.1988 |
1 hall |
1 |
6 |
III.A |
Skalka |
Skalka |
4.7.1990 |
1 hall, 2 rows of pillars |
1 |
10 |
II.B |
Křižíkova |
Křižíkova |
23.11.1990 |
three halls |
1 |
35 |
II.B |
Hakenova (planned name) |
Invalidovna |
23.11.1990 |
three halls |
1 |
20 |
II.B |
Palmovka |
Palmovka |
23.11.1990 |
one hall |
2 |
12 |
II.B. |
Zápotockého (planned name) |
Českomoravská |
23.11.1990 |
three halls |
1 |
25 |
V.B. |
Butovická (planned name) |
Hůrka |
11.11.1994 |
one hall |
1 |
4 |
V.B. |
Lužiny |
Lužiny |
11.11.1994 |
one hall |
1 |
3 |
V.B. |
Luka |
Luka |
11.11.1994 |
one hall |
1 |
0 |
V.B. |
Stodůlky |
Stodůlky |
11.11.1994 |
one hall |
1, second not finished |
10 |
V.B. |
SNP (planned name) |
Zličín |
11.11.1994 |
one hall |
1 |
0 |
Fleet of vehicles 1986-1994
In early 1986, there was fleet of 85 cars of Ečs, 130 vehicles of 81.7171
cars (with cabin) and 195 81.7171 cars without cabin
Year purchased |
Type |
Amount |
No.S. |
total amount |
1986 |
81.7171 (with cabin) |
28 |
2331-2358 |
|
1986 |
81.7141 (vithout cab.) |
39 |
2496-2499
2600-2634 |
477 |
1987 |
81.7171 (with cabin) |
12 |
2359-2370 |
|
1987 |
81.7141 (vithout cab.) |
18 |
2635-2652 |
504* |
1988 |
81.7171 (with cabin) |
12 |
2371-2382 |
|
1988 |
81.7141 (vithout cab.) |
18 |
2653-2670 |
534 |
1989 |
81.7171 (with cabin) |
12 |
2383-2394 |
|
1989 |
81.7141 (vithout cab.) |
17 |
2671-2687 |
563 |
1990 |
81.7171 (with cabin) |
10 |
2395-2399
2500-2504 |
|
1990 |
81.7141 (vithout cab.) |
16 |
2688-2699
2800-2803 |
589 |
1991-1991 |
- |
- |
- |
589 |
1992-1994 |
- |
- |
- |
588** |
* in 1987 were in Kačerov destroyed by fire cars 2133,2325 (81.7171) a
2490 (81.7141)
** in 1992 was Ečs 1031 sold to Škoda Plzeň for testing
In 1995 there were in fleet 84 cars Ečs, 202 cars 81.7171 (with cabin)
and 302 cars 81.7141 (without cabin)
Opening of new lines between 1985-1994
In end 1985, there was 26,3 km in service
III.A |
11.7.1987 |
Želivského - Strašnická |
1,3 km |
III.B |
26.10.1988 |
Smíchovské n. - Dukelská |
4,9 km |
III.A |
4.7.1990 |
Strašnická - Skalka |
1,4 km |
II.B |
23.11.1990 |
Florenc - Českomoravská |
4,4 km |
V.B |
11.11.1994 |
Nové Butovice - Zličín |
5,1 km |
In this time 17,1 km was opened. In total, there is 43,4 km in service
in 1995
This page (c) 1998 Richard A.Bílek. All photos and
articles by Richard A.Bílek, except where noted. Feel free to spread all
information, but do not forget to mention your source.