Tula has a relatively large and extensive tram network. This type of public transport appeared in the city for a long time, and still remains in demand. Now in Tula there are 9 tram routes and one tram depot. The total length of the tracks exceeds 90 km. Information on the schedule of trams in Tula is indicated on the page of the official city website.
The history of the city tram
The first Tula trams appeared on the streets of the city in 1888. However, they could be called such only conditionally: in front of a small trailer moving along the rail line, horses were walking. They were the source of traction for the early trams. Such transport was used until the First World War, after which there was no tram service in the city for many years.
Electric trams in Tula appeared only in 1927, after the Tramweistroi office was organized and the first line of tracks was laid, having a length of about 9 km. The official opening of the line took place in November 1927. The number of transport units was only 4 pieces, but soon their number was increased to six, and one was in stock. Moving between two neighboring stations at that time cost 8 kopecks.
Since 1929, the construction of new lines took place, and in 1932 freight lines were opened. Before the Great Patriotic War, the tram fleet consisted of 72 leading and trailed cars and 6 freight cars. In 1939, a small depot was built. During the urban defense of 1941, trams were used to transport wounded and ammunition. In military conditions, additional lines were built.
In the post-war years, restoration and modernization of the tram network was in progress. At the same time, freight lines (including those built during the war years) were gradually dismantled.
Together with the construction of new lines, the tram park received new cars, which contributed to its renewal. One tragic circumstance was connected with this. So, in the early 60s, a new type of wagons with increased comfort were launched into the network. They lasted 10 years, but in 1972 emergency braking failed in one of them, which caused the death of 10 people - passengers. Then all these cars were disposed of.
In the 70s there were 14 tram routes in Tula, and the total number of wagons was 250. In 1980 there were already 18 routes. In 1983, three-car trams began to walk around the city. However, already in 1984 they were disbanded.
Last changes
In the 90s and early 2000s, domestic wagons were replaced with imported ones. This was facilitated by the higher quality of foreign analogues. But after 2010, there is an active reduction in the number of tram routes in Tula.
As of 2016, the city has only 9 routes with a total number of passenger cars in the amount of 86 pieces. There is also one tram depot. In addition, there are 18 service and two retro cars - exhibits. The fare is 20 rubles. The price of a ticket for most citizens (residents of Tula) is 750 rubles.
Tula Tram Depot and Maintenance Center
During the entire existence of the tram transport in Tula, several depots were created, most of which were subsequently disbanded or liquidated. The first depot appeared in 1927. It lost its status in 1959, transforming into a car repair shop. Another was built in 1939, and in 1979 - dismantled. The third depot ("Oboronnoe") appeared in 1959, and in 2008 it began to be used to service the bus fleet. The latter ("Krivoluchye") was created in 1973 and continues to perform its former functions.
Maintenance points of the described type of transport also appeared and disappeared. So, the point at the Kursk station lasted from 1930 to 1965, the point in the village of Kirov from 1930 to 1977, and at the Combine Plant from 1936 to 1991.
Tula tram route map
The modern scheme of tram routes includes 15 numbers (operating - 9). The length of the routes is, on average, about 10 km (from 9.5 to 14.5 km). Tram travel time for each of them is, on average, 50 minutes (from 40 to 60 minutes).
The longest is the 10th route. Its length is 14.5 km and the travel time is 60 minutes. It runs through the Metallurg stadium, the Demidov dam, and the Yasnaya Polyana confectionery. The twelfth and thirteenth routes are considered city property, but some of the routes are abandoned.
In the historical past, the scheme of tram routes has repeatedly changed. New ones were opening, while some others were closing. So, in the center of the urban tramway scheme there is a closed ring section. However, it is formed due to the intersection of various routes, while none of them passes through it entirely.
Schedules of trams in Tula can be found on the official website of the city.
Future plans
The development of environmentally friendly transport in Tula continues. So, in 2016, the tram fleet increased by another 30 units. It is supposed to make repairs on some sections of the tram tracks. In addition, the plans include improving the lighting of some lines, as well as building additional ones and closing the Proletarian ring.
At the level of ideas, the possibility of moving to a system of high-speed tram lines is being discussed. This was expressed in 1971, but the plans were never implemented. Modern projects involve the modernization of only some tram lines, which should be closed in a ring. However, the practical implementation of these projects is unlikely.
Modern degradation of the tram network
While the state of the Tula tram network is deteriorating due to the general decay of the system. This situation is typical for many cities in Russia. Judging by the reviews of visitors to the city, the ride on the tram began to resemble traffic in an old truck. The deterioration of ride quality on Tula trams has been observed in the last 30 years, and this helps to reduce the popularity of this type of transport among the population. To solve this problem, measures are needed to repair and reconstruct trains and tracks, said transport analyst Arkady Gershman. In his opinion, only the simultaneous improvement of both the trams themselves and the tracks will make this type of transport more convenient and safe than it was before.