History

Once the management of “Vilniaus Troleibusai” was established in October 1956, an overhead wiring of 7,8 km long was set up and a park for 25 trolleybuses was built. On November 3 the first 7 MTB-82D trolleybuses started operating on the streets of Vilnius on “Antakalnis- Central Station” route. The following year one more route was opened – “Central Station-Žvėrynas”. Every year new overhead wires were set up, new routes were opened and trolleybuses of newer makes were purchased. In 1967 there were 13 routes in Vilnius, with the total length of lines amounting to 217 km. There were 159 trolleybuses in the park. By the year 1975 almost all the routes that are available today were set up.

Since 1960 the park has been purchasing Czech trolleybuses: “Škoda 8-TR” and “Škoda 9-TR”; in 1982 it started purchasing more technically advanced “Škoda 14-TR” trolleybuses. Due to continuous expansion of electric transportation network, the company could no longer accommodate all of its vehicles. Therefore, in 1961 reconstruction of the trolleybus park was initiated. After the reconstruction 120 trolleybuses could be allocated in the park.

Due to the constant growth of the city the number of passengers was increasing, which required a bigger amount of trolleybuses for their transportation. In 1982 the park could no longer allocate its 278 trolleybuses; therefore, the project for construction of the second trolleybus park was initiated. The second park was opened on December 25, 1985 in the district of Viršuliškės and 150 trolleybuses could be serviced there. The total number of trolleybuses, amounting to 297, was split between the two parks, which helped to improve the working conditions of the employees, technical support of the vehicles and customer services.

In April 1993 the management of “Vilnius Troleibusai” was reorganised into JSC “Vilniaus Troleibusai”. The promoter and shareholder of the company is Vilnius City Municipality. Using the funds allocated by the Municipality the company purchased 30 new trolleybuses “Škoda 14-TR” from the Czech Republic in the years 1996 and 1997, as well as 23 “Škoda 14-Trm” trolleybuses in 1999.

In 2004-2006 the company purchased on lease 45 modern low-floor “SOLIARIS Trolino 15AC” trolleybuses. They are comfortable for disabled people, their capacity is 1,5 times larger, which makes the customer services more effective. The company purchased 23 used “Škoda 14-TR” trolleybuses that were repaired in the company’s workshops. The company operates its trolleybuses with great care: older trolleybuses are repaired in the company’s workshops. Using the new technology, trolleybuses undergo complete renovation which makes their interior and exterior look the same as in new trolleybuses. During the last 5 years the majority of old trolleybuses underwent complete renovation and are in use at the moment.

The regulation of traffic is very important in improving the transportation activity. Therefore, computerised traffic control system was developed and implemented. The system allows to monitor the movement on all, or separate routes by using the schedule of trolleybus movement, implemented in the system. The data are collected and analysed in order to evaluate the state of public transport in a more precise manner, eliminate any obstructions and amend the traffic schedules.

In May 2005 the Centre of Professional Learning was reorganised in order to solve the problem of driver’s shifts that had arisen during the last year. The centre organises courses for those wishing to work as trolleybus drivers, as well as refresher courses for the drivers who are already working for the company. In 2007 70 new trolleybus drivers qualified and 60 company drivers gained a higher driving category.

The company has 321 trolleybuses (01-01-2007). On the working days 259 trolleybuses operate on 19 routes, on Sundays and public holidays –126 trolleybuses. The total length of route lines amounts to 456 km. During the day trolleybuses travel for 53032 km and transport about 413000 passengers. 19 electric traction stations supply electricity to the overhead wiring. The company employs 1317 people.