Pyongyang tram system
| Pyongyang Tram | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background | |
| Locale | Pyongyang, North Korea |
| Transit type | Tram |
| Number of lines | 4 |
| Operation | |
| Began operation | 1991 |
| Operator(s) | Transport and Communication Commission |
| Technical | |
| System length | 53.5 km (33 mi) |
| Track gauge |
1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) |
| Pyongyang tram system | |
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 궤도 전차 |
|---|---|
| Hancha | 軌道電車 |
| Revised Romanization | Gwedo Jeoncha |
| McCune–Reischauer | Kwedo Chŏnch'a |
Pyongyang Tram is a tram system in Pyongyang, capital of North Korea.
Overview
In the pre-war era, there were three tramways in Korea, in Seoul, Busan, and Pyongyang. However, the system in Pyongyang was discontinued after the Korean War of 1950 to 1953. Those in Seoul and Busan survived the war, but were discontinued when motor cars became more common in South Korea in the 1960s, leaving no tramways on the peninsula.
Unlike South Korea, personal ownership of automobiles in Pyongyang is very rare. North Koreans rely mainly on public transport. As oil imported into the country is mostly allocated to its military, Pyongyang has electrically powered trolleybuses (Pyongyang trolleybus system) and subways (Pyongyang Metro) as its main public transport. However, as trolleybus lines became overcrowded, the city decided to build tram lines. The first line opened in 1991.
In the late 1990s, the city had frequent power outages due to decrepit power stations and the lack of resources. The tram lines also suffered from outages, but the situation improved in recent years. In 2003, however, the section of Line 1 between P'yŏngyang-yŏk and Songsin was closed, as the bridge over Taedong River got older.
Foreign tourists were previously not permitted to ride the tram lines, but some recent tours have started to include tramway rides.
In 2008, the City Transportation Company of Prague sold 20 used T3s to Pyongyang Public Transportation Enterprise together with a shipment of tram-rails. These trams were made in late 1970s and the early 1980s. According to Ondřej Pečený, a spokesman for the City Transportation Company of Prague, these trams are in very good condition, and can run for at least two years without the need of a service. The tram cars were made by Tatra, a Czechoslovak company, during that nation's socialist era. Various types are used, including low floor cars.
North Korea also has a tramway in Chongjin, which opened in 1999.
Lines
There are currently three lines in operation.
- Line 1: P'yŏngyang-yŏk (평양역; 平壤驛) — Man'gyŏngdae (만경대; 萬景臺)
- Line 2: T'osŏng (토성; 土城) — Rangrang (락랑; 樂浪) — Munsu (문수; 紋繡)
- Line 3: Sŏp'yŏngyang (서평양; 西平壤) — Rangrang (락랑; 樂浪)
As of 2006, the fare is ₩ 5 for any section. There are also coupon tickets (시내 차표; 市內車票; sinae ch'ap'yo).
Kŭmsusan Line
There is another tramway used to take visitors to the Kumsusan Memorial Palace, where late President Kim Il-sung lies in state. The line is completely different from other lines in Pyongyang, and not connected to any of them. The line is free of charge. This tram line uses 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) rail gauge, unlike others with 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) rail gauge. The tram cars for this line were made in Switzerland.
See also
- List of light-rail transit systems
- Pyongyang Metro
- Trams and trolleybuses in North Korea
- Transportation in North Korea
External links
- The Pyongyang Metro unofficial site
- www.stadtverkehr-plauen.de pictures and video of tram in Pyongyang
- Map and aerial photos
Further reading
- Hayato Kokubu, Shōgun-sama no Tetsudō: Kitachōsen Tetsudō Jijō (将軍様の鉄道 北朝鮮鉄道事情; "Railway of the Dear Leader: The Railway Situation in North Korea"), 2007. (ISBN 4103037318)