History of Public Transportation

The first signs of the emerging public transportation system in Karlovy Vary can be traced back to the 1870s and 1880s. At that time, hired carriages and fiakers belonging to the city’s various lodging establishments were stationed in front of the train station. Arriving visitors were then transported by these vehicles to the city center or to their reserved accommodations, and upon departure, back to the train station. Horse-drawn carriages and hired cabs provided the initial impetus for developing a more comprehensive public transportation system in Karlovy Vary and for the establishment of regular routes.

Establishment of the Karlovy Vary City Transport Company

1947 ČSD begins restoring defunct bus routes operated by the Karlovy Vary Bus Company
1947 All transport companies were nationalized and unified under the state organization ČSAD (Czechoslovak State Bus Transport)
1949 ČSAD took over the management of public transportation in Karlovy Vary
1952 Separate ČSAD companies were established in individual regions
1954 Public transportation in Karlovy Vary becomes independent
1. 10. 1954 The Karlovy Vary
Public Transport Company was established Since the establishment of the Karlovy Vary Public Transport Company, public transport in the city began to develop very rapidly. The number of regular routes increased several-fold, as did the number of buses, kilometers traveled, and passengers transported. 1955 A taxi service was added to the main activities of the Public Transport Company
1959 – 1965 operation of a car and motorcycle rental service
since 1959 operation of passenger elevators (in the Diana observation tower, and the Tržiště–Zámecký vrch high-speed elevator since 1961)
since 1959 operation of cable cars (Diana, Imperial)
1971 A new central transfer station was built on Varšavská Street in front of the city market (still in use today)
1974 Completion of the construction of garages for ČSAD and the KV Transport Company on Sportovní Street in Dolní Drahovice
1 4 1975 For unknown reasons, the highly prosperous company of the Karlovy Vary City Transport Authority returned to the administration of ČSAD.

Development of Karlovy Vary transport in the 1970s and 1980s

Although the change in public transportation operator in Karlovy Vary did not bring about any major changes that would significantly affect the public, the situation was nonetheless far from ideal. A major weakness of ČSAD was its lack of experience in operating cable cars. Inadequate maintenance nearly led to the demise of this unique mode of transportation in Karlovy Vary.

The management of the regional ČSAD company, under which Karlovy Vary fell, was based in Plzeň and was unable to flexibly address the transportation needs of the growing city. Public transportation in Karlovy Vary continued to develop in the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, but in a very unsystematic and inefficient manner.

Transport company after 1989

After 1989, public transportation in Karlovy Vary experienced a significant slowdown in development, despite the general easing of conditions. It became increasingly difficult to secure sufficient funding for the costly operation of the city’s public transportation system.

Relief did not come until the 1990s, when the city took advantage of the privatization of state assets and acquired the operation of public transportation from ČSAD. This allowed it to continue revitalizing and improving services for the citizens and visitors of Karlovy Vary.

1. 5. 1993 Based on a decision by the Karlovy Vary City Council, a joint-stock company operating public transport in Karlovy Vary was established. Although the newly founded company no longer had anything to do with ČSAD, it was absurdly named “ČSAD MHD Karlovy Vary a.s.”
25. 1. 2001 The transport company is finally renamed to its current name, “Dopravní podnik Karlovy Vary, a. s.”
In 1997, Dopravní podnik expanded its operations to neighboring municipalities via a suburban line to Ostrov, through Jáchymov, and on to Boží Dar. By 2004, there were already 5 suburban lines and 2 long-distance lines in operation. Gradually, the Transport Company began to gain satisfied customers thanks to the services it offered, such as repairs, car washes, painting, fuel sales, advertising services, and more.

It was precisely through the scope and quality of its services that, after many years of effort, Dopravní podnik Karlovy Vary, a. s., became a modern commercial enterprise capable of competing in the market.

Rail transport

In the early 19200s, plans were being considered in Karlovy Vary to build a tram system. The trams were to run directly past the Mill Colonnade, along what is now Vřídelní Street. However, World War I broke out before construction could begin, and the plans for a tram system in Karlovy Vary were shelved for good.

The beginnings of regular bus transport

The first bus operator in Karlovy Vary was František Fousek. In the early 1900s, he and his partners founded the “Karlovy Vary Omnibus Company.” This company was the sole bus operator in Karlovy Vary until World War I. Several regular routes operated here, but they were discontinued after the war.