Prague Trolleybus Routes 51 and 53 to Replace Bus Routes 131 and 176 from Monday

Quieter, locally emission-free trolleybuses will take over services on two Prague bus routes from Monday. Before route 131 disappears after 63 years, the transport company is inviting passengers to enjoy free rides on historic vehicles.

Prague is converting two more bus routes to battery trolleybus operation. The new routes 51 and 53 will replace the existing bus routes 131 and 176. Free rides on historic buses are planned for Friday, 30 October, to mark the farewell to the long-established route 131.

The switch to locally emission-free and quieter vehicles is part of the project to electrify bus routes on the left bank of the Vltava. Both routes will primarily be served by modern, air-conditioned, low-floor Bozankaya SNG 12T vehicles.

Photo: Dopravní podnik hl. m. Prahy

Trolleybus route 51 will take over the existing connection provided by bus route 131 between Bořislavka and Hradčanská. The route runs via Hanspaulka, U Matěje, Dukla-Juliska, Nemocnice Bubeneč and Sibiřské náměstí, among other stops. Services will run every four to six minutes during weekday peak hours.

The existing bus route 176 will be replaced by trolleybus route 53. It connects Karlovo náměstí with Stadion Strahov via Palackého náměstí, Jiráskovo náměstí, Arbesovo náměstí and Švandovo divadlo. Other stops include Holečkova, Hřebenka and U Palaty. Services are scheduled to run every six to eight minutes during weekday peak hours.

Photo: Dopravní podnik hl. m. Prahy

Historic Buses to Bid Farewell to Route 131

For decades, bus route 131 defined the connection between Hradčanská, U Matěje and Bořislavka and was part of everyday life for many residents of Hanspaulka and Bubeneč.

To mark its farewell, Prague Public Transit Company, in cooperation with the Prague 6 district, will deploy three historic vehicles: a Škoda 706 RTO, a Karosa B951E and an Irisbus Citybus. The buses will operate additional services on route 131 every 20 minutes between 2pm and 6pm on Friday, 30 October. Rides are free, subject to available capacity.

The full introduction of trolleybus services on route 51 will also bring the history of bus route 131 to an end, said Prague 6 councillor responsible for transport, Ondřej Matěj Hrubeš. He said it had become a symbol of Hanspaulka and Bubeneč for generations of residents. An afternoon of farewell rides had therefore been organised jointly with DPP.

Photo: Dopravní podnik hl. m. Prahy

More Than Six Decades of Route History

Route 131 began operating in June 1963. It originally ran from Revoluční or Dlouhá třída via Sibiřské náměstí and Zelená to U Matěje. Since late February 1993, it has largely followed its current route.

According to DPP Transport Director and Board Member Jan Barchánek, the route was identified early on as a candidate for electrification because of its hilly terrain, with steep climbs in both directions. The historic vehicle rides will now bring the bus route’s 63-year history to a symbolic close.