Trolleybuses in Pyongyang

The network begun operation on 30 April 1962, with an opening ceremony at Pyongyang Railway station to commemorate the opening of the line from Ryonmot-dong to the railway station. Simultaneously, the Hwanggumbol station to Arch of Triumph and the Munsu to 2nd Department Store line opened, although this source states the other line was from Pyongyang Railway station to west Pyongyang. During that time, there were also alleged plans for the construction of an intercity line to Pyongsong.[2] Since then, a number of routes have been abolished, replaced by the tram system, though with the closure of tram line 1 from Songsin to Songyo, this section was rebuilt as a trolleybus line.[3] The system is continuously developed, with a new depot serving line 1 and 10 vehicles built in 2016.[4]

Between 1996 and 2005, part of the trolleybus line in Pyongsong was cut off from the rest of the line, with the area where the line belonged to being transferred to Unjong-guyok of Pyongyang.[5]

In 2020, the total route length was about 62.6 km (38.9 mi) and comprised 10 routes.[3]

There are a total of 10 lines in operation. Some former lines were replaced by the tram system that opened in 1989. The numbers indicated on the dashboard are not route numbers – they are the stopping pattern of that service.[6]

[7][3]

Most of the vehicles used on the system are North Korean made; some of them based on the Czech Karosa buses. The fleet also includes Hungarian Ikarus trolleybuses, imported as diesel buses and later reconstructed into trolleybuses.

For the full list including vehicles in use in other cities, see Trolleybuses in North Korea

• 
  Chollima-70 #801 outside the Pyongyang Station.
• 
  A Chollima 973 trolleybus converted from a Karosa C734 diesel bus
• 
  A Chollima 973 trolleybus, #590 also converted from Karosa C734
• 
  A domestically produced Chollima-091, 2014.

New rolling stock

A veteran trolleybus in Pyongyang. Each red distance star painted on the side represents 50,000 kilometres travelled without incident, so this trolleybus has travelled about 3 million kilometres (1.9 million miles).

New trolleybuses are also produced in other provinces and cities, such as in Chongjin.[8][9]

Despite the new technology incorporated with the new trolleybuses such as a dual power supply using a battery as a backup and LED displays,[10] they do not have air conditioning.

The new trolleybuses were subject to news coverage in the Rodong Sinmun, receiving multiple front page headlines subjecting the tests.[11] Kim Jong-un also made visits to the Pyongyang Trolley Bus Factory, with the intention to turn the factory 'into a world-class trolley bus producer'.[12] The first visit in February featured the Chollima-316 trolleybus, while the August visit featured the Chollima-321 trolleybus.[13]

In total, about 200 Chollima-091 were manufactured, about twenty Chollima-316 and at least 40 Chollima-321 were produced.[14][15]

• List of trolleybus systems
• Pyongyang Metro
• Pyongyang tram system
• Trams and trolleybuses in North Korea
• Transportation in North Korea

Media related to Trolleybuses in Pyongyang at Wikimedia Commons

• "Trolleybus city: Pyongyang". Trolleymotion.
• Map of Pyongyang Trolleybus. Transphoto.