Trolleybuses are back permanently in Prague. The city is electrifying bus transport 

Why have trolleybuses returned to the streets of Prague? 

Trolleybuses in Prague have a long and fascinating history. The original, extensive network operated from 1936 to 1972, at its peak covering 14 lines and nearly 180 vehicles. These vehicles produced no local emissions and were a key component of the city’s public transport. The decision to phase out this technology in the 1970s was not due to its inefficiency but reflected the transport policy of the time and a belief in the “flexibility” of diesel buses. As a result, for over 45 years, Prague relied solely on diesel buses. 

When did trolleybuses return to Prague? 

The revival began only in 2017, when the city operator Dopravní Podnik hl. m. Prahy (DPP) launched a pilot, roughly one-kilometer test section on a busy urban route. Vehicles equipped with batteries, enabling travel off the overhead wires – even in winter and under full passenger loads – were tested. 

The tests demonstrated that battery-assisted trolleybuses, using In Motion Charging Technology  are locally zero-emission, cheaper in infrastructure costs than rail transport, and operationally more stable than diesel buses.

This led to the launch of line 58 – a roughly 12-kilometer route where trolleybuses run half the distance under overhead wires and half using stored battery energy. This makes it possible to limit the extent of the new infrastructure while maintaining high vehicle availability. 

Why is line 59 in Prague special? 

The next stage came in 2024 with the opening of line 59 to the airport, replacing line 119. This route introduced the largest trolleybuses in the Czech Republic – the double-articulated Solaris Trollino 24. Each vehicle is 24.7 meters long and can carry 179 passengers, including 54 seated. Its five-door layout ensures fast passenger flow and easy luggage handling, which is particularly important for airport service. Similar to Line 58, the vehicles use In Motion Charging technology – they operate under overhead wires for about half of the route and travel without wires on the remaining sections, using energy stored in their batteries. Line 59 operates on a high-demand route, where both large passenger capacity and operational reliability are key. 

What results has the reintroduction of trolleybuses delivered? 

The impact is measurable. Capacity on the airport line increased by about 30% while maintaining the existing frequency. At the same time, CO₂ emissions were reduced by approximately 1,300 tons per year, and fuel consumption dropped by nearly 650,000 liters of diesel. Passengers benefit from quieter, zero-emission journeys, while the operator enjoys lower energy and maintenance costs.

What are the plans for further trolleybus development in Prague? 

Prague views trolleybuses as a permanent element of its public transport network and plans to electrify additional bus lines, particularly on overcrowded routes and those with challenging terrain. 

DPP’s analyses show that modern trolleybuses are not only a zero-emission mode of transport but also a solution that ensures lower infrastructure and operating costs.

Modern trolleybuses in Prague are therefore not a return to the past but the result of careful environmental and economic calculation. Technology familiar to the city for decades has – thanks to in-motion charging batteries – become a flexible tool for transformation: enabling rapid electrification of bus transport, reducing investment time, and minimizing impact on urban space.