Prague Bus Route 137 to Become Trolleybus Route 52

Prague is continuing the electrification of its public transport network. Modern battery-powered trolleybuses will be deployed on the busy route through Smíchov and Malvazinky.

Prague bus route 137 will switch to electric operation on Monday, 21 September 2026, and will operate as trolleybus route 52 in future. Modern, air-conditioned Bozankaya SNG 12T and SOR TNS 12 vehicles will be deployed on the route. Passengers will also benefit from more frequent services.

The switch to emission-free battery-powered trolleybuses is part of a comprehensive project to electrify bus routes on the left bank of the Vltava. The City of Prague approved the project in June 2020. In addition to route 137 (future route 52), the project also includes routes 131 (future route 51) between Hradčanská and Bořislavka, 176 (future route 53) between Karlovo náměstí and Strahov Stadium, and 191 between Na Knížecí and Prague Airport.

Photo: Trolejbus Bozankaya SNG 12T | DPP – Petr Hejna

Route 137 (future route 52) is one of the busiest bus services in the Smíchov and Malvazinky districts. Its route runs through hilly terrain and has a gradient of up to nine per cent on the ascent to Malvazinky. This makes the route particularly suitable for modern trolleybuses.

The new vehicles are intended to provide passengers with a quieter and more comfortable journey. At the same time, emissions and noise levels along the route are expected to decrease.

Photo: Trolejbus Bozankaya SNG 12T | DPP – Petr Hejna

The switch will also expand services during peak hours. On weekdays, route 52 will operate every four minutes on the section between Na Knížecí and U Waltrovky. Every second trolleybus will continue via Waltrovka to Jinonice, providing a service every eight minutes on this section.