Warsaw trams return to Wilanów after 50 years

On 29 October a new tram line was opened linking the city centre of the Polish capital with the south-eastern suburb of Wilanów. 

 

Tram lines 14 and 16 started carrying passengers on the 6.3km extension from 04.30, offering a combined three-minute headway at peak periods.  

 

There was a ceremony involving the city president just before 08.00. Rafal Trzaskowski said, "We are finally starting to run this tram, because we have been waiting for it for many years. The tram to Wilanów has not run for 50 years, so this is a historic day. Let me remind you that in the middle of next year the route will be even longer, because it will be extended by a section to the Stegny loop. We must remember that if it were not for EU funding, the construction of this route, but also other large infrastructure investments, would not have happened. In this case, the European funding is about 40% of the value of the entire task about PLZ 1bn. This route will change the reality of everyday travel from Wilanów to the center of Warsaw’" 

 

The stub terminus requires that double-ended trams are used. There is still infrastructure work in progress near the new tracks, which is delaying full priority for trams. Line 19 will be added to the route in 2025 when the short branch to the intermediate Stegny loop is opened. 

 

On the same day the first service tram (line 4) left the new Annopol depot at 04.06. Initially lines 1, 3, 4 and 25 are served by trams from the new facility. 

 

A PESA Jazz tram on the new line to Wilanów in Warsaw (J. Rösler).