Prague celebrates 50 years of metro service with retro tram design

Prague's metro is turning 50 years old in 2024, and a series of events will take place over the coming months to honor one of the highest-rated public transport systems in the world. This weekend, Prague public transport authority DPP kicked things off by launching a metro-designed tram.

The commemorative tram, adorned with the design of a vintage Soviet-era Ečs metro car, debuted on line no. 23 on Friday and runs every other day. Introduced by DPP's Historical Vehicles unit on Friday, the tram pays homage to the city's rich history of public transportation.

The featured tram is a historic vehicle itself, a classic Tatra T3 manufactured in 1986 at the ČKD Tatra Smíchov factory. has been modified with a full-body sticker resembling the classic Ečs metro car, which inaugurated Prague's metro service in 1974, complete with the original logo for Prague's underground at the front.

The retro design isn't only on the exterior; inside the tram, passengers will experience a simulated metro journey, with tram stop announcements replaced by station announcements akin to the metro system.

Familiar voices from Prague's metro system will greet passengers at its stops, enhancing the immersive experience. Snippets detailing the history of Prague's metro also adorn the tram's interior, offering passengers insights into its rich legacy.

The commemorative no. 23 tram is currently in operation every other day; over the next week, for example, it can be ridden today, Tuesday, and Thursday. A complete timetable for the tram can be found at the DPP website.

In addition to the commemorative tram, various events are planned over the next three months to celebrate Prague's metro milestone, culminating in a 50th anniversary ribbon cutting at Kačerov station on May 9, 2024. Tours, exhibitions, and cultural programs are also on the schedule to celebrate 50 years of the Prague metro.

Prague's metro was originally launched on May 9, 1974, with a single line (now Line C) carrying passengers between Kačerov and Sokolovská (now Florenc) stations. It's legacy dates back far longer, however, with an original proposal first submitted by Ladislav Rott in 1898.

Prague's metro system continues to develop after 50 years of service, with work now underway on its fourth line, slated to become operational by 2029.