View source for Trams in Pyongyang

{{Short description|Public transport in Pyongyang, North Korea}}{{Infobox public transit
| name = Pyongyang Tram
| image = Tatra T6B5K 1162, Pyongyang, 2005.jpg
| imagesize = 275px
| alt = 
| caption = Older [[Tatra T6B5]] vehicles on tram line 1
| area served = 
| locale = {{Flagicon|North Korea}} [[Pyongyang]]
| transit_type = [[Tram]]
| website = 
| began_operation = 1989
| ended_operation = 
| system_length = 53.5 km (33 mi)
| lines = 4
| line_number = 1, 2, 3, Kumsusan
| vehicles = 
| start = 
| end = 
| stations = 
| ridership = 
| weekly_ridership = 
| annual_ridership = 
| chief_executive = 
| character = At-grade
| train_length = 2 car multiple unit, 3 section articulated tram
| track_gauge = {{RailGauge|sg}}<br />{{RailGauge|1000mm}}
| el = Overhead DC 600 V, 20 A; up to 200 A during acceleration
| average_speed = 
| top_speed = {{convert|60|kph}}
| marks = 
| operator = Guidance Bureau of Passenger Service in Pyongyang<ref name=":Rangnang" />
| owner = 
| map = [[File:Map of Pyongyang Trams.png|250px]]
| map_state = 
| map_name = Tram Lines in Pyongyang
}}
{{Infobox Korean name|title=Pyongyang Tram|context=north|
hangul=평양 궤도전차|hanja=平壤 軌道電車|mr=P'yŏngyang kwedojŏnch'a|rr=Pyeongyang gwedojeoncha}}
[[Image:Pyongyang tram.jpg|thumb|A [[Tatra T6B5]] vehicle in Pyongyang.]]
[[Image:Pyongyang 2012 Tatra tram 2.jpg|thumb|A crowded Line 1 tram during afternoon rush hour in 2012.]]
'''Pyongyang Tram''' is a public [[tram]] system in [[Pyongyang]], the capital of [[North Korea]]. The first line of the current system opened in 1989. There are four lines in operation.

==Overview==
Before the [[Korean War]] from 1950 to 1953, there were three tramway systems in the Korean Peninsula: one each in [[Seoul]], [[Busan]] and Pyongyang.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hmKiUkUE_p8C&dq=Pyongyang+tram&pg=PA164 | title=North of the DMZ: Essays on Daily Life in North Korea | isbn=9780786451418 | last1=Lankov | first1=Andrei | date=10 January 2014 | publisher=McFarland }}</ref>

During the [[North Korean famine]], the service of tram lines became sparse, and often trams would not run due to lack of drivers and shortage of electricity.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Naenara Democratic People's Republic of Korea|url=http://naenara.com.kp/en/society/?life+1+1144|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520130727/https://kcnawatch.org/newstream/1564310028-309220800/female-tram-drivers-2/|archive-date=2021-05-20|access-date=2021-03-20|website=naenara.com.kp}}</ref>

Unlike South Korea, personal ownership of automobiles in North Korea is very rare. North Koreans, especially those living in Pyongyang and other major cities, rely mainly on [[public transport]]. In Pyongyang, there are [[trolleybus]]es ([[Trolleybuses in Pyongyang|the Pyongyang trolleybus system]]) and [[rapid transit|subways]] (the [[Pyongyang Metro]]), with these two serving as its main forms of public transport. However, as trolleybus lines became gradually overcrowded, the city decided to re-open tram-lines. The first line was opened on 15 April 1991.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Chronology: Pyongyang |url=https://transphoto.org/news.php?cid=349 |access-date=2022-03-16 |website=transphoto.org |language=en}}</ref>

A number of [[Tatra T4]] trams and its trailer B4 were bought from Dresden, Magdeburg and Leipzig in 1997–1998.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pyongyang, tramway — Roster|url=https://transphoto.org/list.php?cid=349&t=1|access-date=2021-01-26|website=transphoto.org}}</ref>

From 14 October 2002, the section of Line 1 between P'yŏngyang-yŏk and Songyo was closed,<ref name=":2" /> as the bridge over [[Taedong River]] started to deteriorate,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=平壌市軌道電車(路面電車)1号線|url=http://2427junction.com/dprkpyongyang01.html|access-date=2020-07-20|website=2427junction.com}}</ref> splitting Line 1 into two parts divided by the Taedong River. The section from Songyo to Songsin was eventually replaced by a trolleybus in 2014. The part crossing the bridge was replaced by a bus service. Demolition of the tracks between Songyo and Pyongyang Station was completed by 9 September 2003.<ref>{{Cite web |title=교통연보 {{!}} 메인 > 특화사업 > 동북아북한교통물류 > 동북아북한교통정보 > 북한교통 > 교통연보 |url=https://www.koti.re.kr/user/bbs/BD_selectBbsList.do?q_estnColumn1=&q_clCode=&q_searchKeyTy=&q_searchVal=&q_bbsCode=1039&q_bbscttSn=&q_rowPerPage=10&q_currPage=6&q_bbsSortType=rc& |access-date=2022-03-16 |website=www.koti.re.kr}}</ref>

In 2008, the City Transportation Company of [[Prague]] sold 20 used [[Tatra T3|T3s]] to Pyongyang Public Transportation Enterprise together with a shipment of tram-rails. These trams were built ranging from 1967 for the [[Tatra T3]] in original modification, to 1987 for the T3SUCS modification.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pyongyang, Tatra T3SUCS — Roster|url=https://transphoto.org/list.php?serv=0&mid=257&cid=349|access-date=2021-07-30|website=transphoto.org|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=North Korea, Tatra T3 — Roster|url=https://transphoto.org/list.php?rid=47&mid=276|access-date=2021-07-30|website=transphoto.org|language=en}}</ref>

After the closure of Songsin depot, an extension was added to Rangnang depot to house the trams transferred from that depot.<ref name=":2" />

Foreign tourists were previously not permitted to ride the tram lines, but some recent tours have started to include tramway rides (though rides are not shared with locals and are instead chartered, unlike the Pyongyang Metro).<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=2018-07-31 |title=New tram cars appear on Pyongyang's Liberation Street line {{!}} NK News - North Korea News |language=en-US |work=NK News - North Korea News |url=https://nknews.org/2018/07/new-tram-cars-appear-on-pyongyangs-liberation-street-line/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=2018-09-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Public transport tours|url=http://www.tourismdprk.gov.kp/index.php/c_thematic?idx=7&mu_idx=4|access-date=|website=}}</ref>

Due to the need for transport, tram drivers may be assigned shifts even on holidays.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rodong Sinmun|url=http://rodong.rep.kp/en/index.php?strPageID=SF01_02_01&newsID=2021-04-30-0007|access-date=2021-05-20|website=rodong.rep.kp}}</ref>

==Lines==
There are three lines in operation plus a meter gauge line operated by the military.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pyongyang|url=https://transphoto.org/city/349/|access-date=2021-01-26|website=transphoto.org}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="border-collapse: collapse;"
|'''<span style="color:blue;">Line Number</span>'''
|'''<span style="color:blue;">&nbsp;Route&nbsp;</span>'''
|'''<span style="color:blue;">&nbsp;Notes&nbsp;</span>'''
|-
|#1<ref name=":1" />
|[[Mangyongdae-guyok|Mangyongdae]] ({{lang|ko|[[:ko:만경대|만경대]]; 萬景臺}}) -   [[Pyongyang station]] ({{lang|ko|[[:ko:평양역|평양역]]; 平壤驛}})
|Formerly ran to Songsin until bridge was closed to tram traffic, line split into Mangyongdae- Pyongyang Station and Songsin-Songyo until 2014, when during reconstruction of tram lines elsewhere, this line was converted to trolleybus line #4

Replaced former trolleybus line 10 from Mangyongdae to Chollima Street and 8 to [[Hwanggumbol station]].

Trams housed at Songsan Depot, Mangyongdae-guyok,<ref>{{Cite web|title=로동신문|url=http://rodong.rep.kp/ko/index.php?strPageID=SF01_02_01&newsID=2020-12-25-0018|access-date=2021-01-26|website=rodong.rep.kp}}</ref> operated by Songsan Tram Service Company.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Naenara Democratic People's Republic of Korea|url=http://naenara.com.kp/en/society/?life+1+1143|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520130729/https://kcnawatch.org/newstream/1564310115-659899676/female-tram-drivers-1/|archive-date=2021-05-20|access-date=2021-03-20|website=naenara.com.kp}}</ref>
|-
|#2<ref>{{Cite web|title=平壌市軌道電車(路面電車)2号線|url=http://2427junction.com/dprkpyongyang02.html|access-date=2021-01-26|website=2427junction.com}}</ref>
|Munsu ({{lang|ko|문수; 紋繡}}) - 
T'osŏng ({{lang|ko|토성; 土城}})
|Runs on east side of [[Taedong River]], replaced former trolleybus line 7.

Trams housed at Munsu Tram Office<ref>{{Cite web|title=로동신문|url=http://rodong.rep.kp/ko/index.php?strPageID=SF01_02_01&newsID=2021-02-13-0036|access-date=2021-05-20|website=rodong.rep.kp}}</ref>
|-
|#3<ref>{{Cite web|title=平壌市軌道電車(路面電車)3号線|url=http://2427junction.com/dprkpyongyang03.html|access-date=2021-01-26|website=2427junction.com}}</ref>
|[[West P'yŏngyang Station]] ({{lang|ko|서평양; 西平壤}}) - 
Rangrang ({{lang|ko|락랑; 樂浪}})
|Only line to currently cross the Taedong River
Trams housed at depot at Rangnang, operated by Rangnang Tram Station.<ref name=":Rangnang">{{Cite web|title=Naenara Democratic People's Republic of Korea|url=http://naenara.com.kp/en/news/?11+378|access-date=2021-03-20|website=naenara.com.kp}}{{deadlink|date=September 2023}}</ref>
|-
|Kumsusan
|[[Samhung station]] 
(삼흥역) -

[[Kumsusan Palace of the Sun]] (금수산태양궁전)
|Opened on 7 July 1995 when mausoleum opened, to replace the closed [[Kwangmyong station (Pyongyang)|Kwangmyong station]].
Operated by the military using meter gauge SWS/MFO/BBC Be 4/4 trams and SIG B4 trailers.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pyongyang, Kumsong Depot (1000 mm) — Roster|url=https://transphoto.org/list.php?did=654|access-date=2021-01-26|website=transphoto.org}}</ref>
|}
As of 2006, the fare is ₩5 for any section. There are also coupon tickets ({{lang|ko|시내 차표; 市內車票}}; ''sinae ch'ap'yo'') issued in the form of tickets inserted into the fare box.<ref>{{Cite web|title=平壌市軌道電車(路面電車)|url=http://2427junction.com/dprkpyongyangtram.html|access-date=2021-01-26|website=2427junction.com}}</ref>

==Rolling stock==
For the full list, see [[Trams and trolleybuses in North Korea]]

Prior to 2018, the rolling stock used were the [[Czechoslovakia]]n ČKD Praha [[Tatra T6B5|Tatra T6B5K]], [[Tatra T3|Tatra T3/SUCS]], [[Tatra T4|Tatra T4D and B4D]] and [[Tatra KT8D5|KT8D5K]] in either red/white livery or blue/white.<ref name=":0" /> The Kŭmsusan line uses [[Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich|VBZ]] Be 4/4 Type Ib rolling stock on a different gauge of 1,000&nbsp;mm, rather than 1,435&nbsp;mm for lines 1–3. The Shenyang ST4 had been retired in 1999 due to their failing articulation joint and subsequently converted into Chollima-961/971 trolleybuses while it is possible others were sent to the [[Trams in Chongjin|Chongjin tram system]] where they received a new body at the Chongjin Bus Factory.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Shenyang ST4 — Roster|url=https://transphoto.org/list.php?mid=6024|access-date=2021-05-20|website=transphoto.org|language=en}}</ref>

According to a Czech reporter, 42 out of the original 45 KT8D5 trams still run. Despite sanctions limiting the supply of spare parts, trams operate with below average maintenance, though the more recent development of locally built electrical equipment and continued maintenance without a foreign supply of spare parts have raised suspicions in Czech media.<ref>{{Cite web |title=북한정보 - KOTRA 해외시장뉴스 |url=https://dream.kotra.or.kr/kotranews/index.do |access-date=2022-03-16 |website=북한정보 - KOTRA 해외시장뉴스 |language=ko}}</ref>

In August 2018, following the introduction of new trolleybuses and metro cars, new partially domestically-produced tram cars were introduced in Pyongyang for the first time in about twenty years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sogwang.com/kp/post/5b72ad10cabe6413f841764a|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914094545/http://sogwang.com/kp/post/5b72ad10cabe6413f841764a|url-status=usurped|archive-date=September 14, 2018|title=개발창조형의 궤도전차 생산|date=2018-08-14|website=Sogwang|language=ko|trans-title=Domestic creation of tramcar production|access-date=2018-09-14}}</ref> The bodies were manufactured by Pyongyang Bus Repair Factory and named [[Trams and trolleybuses in North Korea|Thongil]]-181, on the chassis of the Tatra KT8D5K.<ref name=":0" />

[[File:Tram_North_Korea_PY.jpg|thumb|A VBZ tram on the Kŭmsusan line in 2005]]
[[File:Tram in Pyongyang - 01.jpg|thumb|A Thongil-181 tram]]

==See also==
*[[Pyongyang Metro]]
*[[Trams and trolleybuses in North Korea]]
*[[Transport in North Korea]]
*[[List of tram and light rail transit systems]]
*[[Trolleybuses in Pyongyang]]

== References ==
<references />

==Further reading==
*Hayato Kokubu, ''Shōgun-sama no Tetsudō: Kitachōsen Tetsudō Jijō'' ({{lang|ja|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}})

==External links==
{{Commons category|Trams in Pyongyang}}
*[http://www.dprk360.com/360/pyongyang_tram_service/ Pyongyang Tram 360 degree Virtual Tour]
*[http://www.pege.nu/pyongyang_tram.htm Map and aerial photos]
{{Tram systems in North Korea}}
{{Portal bar|North Korea|Transport}}

[[Category:Transport in Pyongyang]]
[[Category:Tram transport in North Korea]]
[[Category:Metre-gauge railways in North Korea]]
[[Category:Town tramway systems by city|Pyongyang]]