Trams in Samarkand
{{Short description|Overview of trams in Samarkand}}
{{Infobox tram network
| name = Trams in Samarkand
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| system =
| logo =
| logo_width =
| logo_alt =
| image = File:Vario LF in Samarkand 2018.jpg
| image_width =
| image_alt =
| caption = Vario LF tram in Samarkand
| locale = Samarkand, Uzbekistan
| open = 29 March, 2017
| close =
| status = Operational
| lines = 2
| routes =
| owner = Uzbek Railways
| operator =
| gauge =
| propulsion_system = Electric
| electrification = Overhead
| depot =
| stock = Pragoimex Vario LF
| single_track_length =
| double_track_length =
| total_track_length =
| route_length = {{convert|11.4|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}
| stops = 26
| pass_year =
| passengers =
| pass_percent =
| pass_system =
| mpassengers =
| map = File:Map of tram system in Samarkand.svg
| map_state = show
| website =
| era1_name = Steam
| era1_start_year = 1923
| era1_end_year = 1947
| era1_state = collapsed
| era1_system =
| era1_status = Converted to electricity
| era1_lines =
| era1_routes =
| era1_owner =
| era1_operator =
| era1_gauge =
| era1_min_curve_radius =
| era1_propulsion_system = Steam
| era1_electrification =
| era1_depot =
| era1_stock =
| era1_single_track_length =
| era1_double_track_length =
| era1_total_track_length =
| era1_route_length =
| era1_stops =
| era1_pass_year =
| era1_passengers =
| era1_pass_percent =
| era1_pass_system =
| era1_mpassengers =
| era1_map =
| era1_website =
| era2_start_year = 1947
| era2_end_year = 1973
| era2_state = collapsed
| era2_system =
| era2_status = Disestablished
| era2_lines = 1
| era2_routes =
| era2_owner =
| era2_operator =
| era2_gauge =
| era2_min_curve_radius =
| era2_propulsion_system = Electric
| era2_electrification =
| era3_depot =
| era2_stock = KTM/KTP-1
| era2_single_track_length =
| era2_double_track_length =
| era2_total_track_length =
| era2_route_length = {{convert|11.4|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}
| era2_stops =
| era2_pass_year =
| era2_passengers =
| era2_pass_percent =
| era2_pass_system =
| era2_mpassengers =
| era2_map =
| era2_website =
}}
{{Routemap
|title= Trams in Samarkand
|style=width:380px
|text-width=,120,,,120,
|map=
BAHN\uKBHFa\~~Temir Yo'L Vokzali
uSTR+l\uABZlr\uSTR+r
Beruniy! !uHST\\uHST~~Rudakiy
Yoshlik Bogi! !uHST\\uHST~~Nurli Yo'L
Qozizoda Rumiy! !uHST\\uHST~~Sayqali
\\uSTR\\uABZgl\uKDSTeq\~~Tramway depot
Choy Fabrikasi! !uHST\\uHST~~Maqsud Shayxzoda
Bogisaroy! !uHST\\uHST~~Buyuk Turon
Damarik! !uHST\\uHST~~Chuqur Yo'L
Sogdiana Maskani! !uHST\\uHST~~Istiqbol
Marxabo! !uHST\\uHST~~Shifokorlar
Buyuk Ipak Yuli! !uHST\\uHST~~Dahbet
Musiqa Maktabi! !uHST\\uHST~~Afrosiyob
Sulim Yo'Li! !uHST\\uKHSTe~~Siyob Bozori
Turizm Kolleji! !uHST\\
Huquqshunoslik Kolleji! !uHST\\
Massiv Sartepa! !uKHSTe\\
}}
The tram system of Samarkand, Uzbekistan, consists of two lines operated by Uzbek Railways, with a total of 26 stops and a length of 11.4 kilometers.
The modern, electrified system opened its first line in 2017, and is the first system to operate in Samarkand since the Soviet-era system was disestablished in 1973. Another two lines are planned for the future, for a total of four lines.
History
The first trams in Samarkand began operation in 1924 and were powered by steam.{{cite web |last1=Анохина |first1=Елена |title=Вторая трамвайная линия открылась в Самарканде |url=https://tr.ru/news/2749-vtoraya-tramvaynaya-liniya-otkrylas-v-samarkande |website=TR.ru — Транспорт в России |access-date=4 December 2023 |language=ru |date=21 March 2018}}
In 1947, the tram system transitioned from steam to electric power. A fleet of 30 vehicles served the system until 1973, when it was dismantled.{{cite web |title=Trams run in Samarkand |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/asia/trams-run-in-samarkand/44258.article |website=Railway Gazette International |access-date=4 December 2023 |language=en |date=31 March 2017}} The last of Samarkand's guided transport was disestablished in 2005, when the trolleybus system (operating from 1957) was removed.
In 2016, Uzbek presidential candidate Shavkat Mirziyoyev promised for a new tram line to be constructed in Samarkand, and construction began upon his election.{{cite web |title=Трамвайную линию в Самарканде строит весь Узбекистан |url=https://centre1.com/uzbekistan/tramvajnuyu-liniyu-v-samarkande-stroit-ves-uzbekistan/ |website=Центр-1 / Centre1.com - Новости из Узбекистана |access-date=4 December 2023 |language=ru-RU}} Despite complaints from the local population over the effects of construction on traffic and the demolition of buildings to make way for the tram, the project finished on schedule. The first system line began operation in March of 2017, with Mirziyoyev as its first rider.{{cite web |title=Trams start to run in Samarkand |url=https://www.uzdaily.uz/en/post/39059 |website=UzDaily.uz |access-date=4 December 2023 |language=en}}
The system's original stock of Pragoimex VarioLF trams were taken from Tashkent; its tram project had been abandoned the year before. Later, Samarkand purchased 42 of these trams directly from Czech company Pragoimex.{{cite web |title=Samarkand opens first tram line |url=https://www.railjournal.com/passenger/light-rail/samarkand-opens-first-tram-line/ |website=railjournal.com |publisher=International Railway Journal |access-date=4 December 2023}}{{cite web |title=Samarkand agreed with the Czech company on the purchase of trams |url=https://qazaqtimes.com/en/article/42489 |website=qazaqtimes.com |access-date=4 December 2023}}
A second tram line opened the following year, along with eight new trams.
Current lines and future plans
References
{{Reflist}}