For the first time after a break of 929 days, a tram passed through the Polish city of Gorzów again. It was the first test drive on the completely new track which was carried out with an Düwag/ Wegmann GT6ZR vehicle (ex Kassel). The test drive took place on 16 April 2020 and is a first of a series of function and infrastructure acceptance tests. The city of Gorzów plans to restart the tram operation on 2 July 2020.
Operation on the 11.8 km tram network was stopped on 1 October 2017 in order to be fully rebuilt. Reconstruction work of line 1 is now finished while the construction work for line 2 still have to be started. Just recently a consortium led by ZUE has signed a contract worth 69 million PLN (ca 16 million EIR) with the city of Gorzów for the refurbishment of the 2.7 km tram track of lines 2/ 3 to Piaski. Construction work is scheduled to take 18 months. The project also includes the upgrade of the road infrastructure and electrification network. For the operation of the upgraded tram network, Pesa delivered a total of 14 Pesa Twist low-floor trams with a length of 24.2 m. We reported here:
Only recently a consortium led by ZUE has signed a contract worth 69 million PLN (ca 16 million EIR) with the city of Gorzów for the refurbishment of the 2.7 km tram track of lines 2/ 3 to Piaski. Construction work is scheduled to take 18 months. The project also includes the upgrade of the road infrastructure and electrification network.
Ready for operation: The upgraded loop at Wieprzyce station in July 2019 I © UTM 
The refurbished track to Silwana in the Northeast of Gorzów I © UTM 
The closed turning loop in Silwana with bus replacement service in July 2019 I © UTM
The first test ride
The test with the Düwag/ Credé tram was followed by a test with one of the new Pesa Twist low-floor trams on Friday, 17 April 2020 in Sikorskiego street. The test ride of the Twist ride was attended by the Gorzów’s mayor Jacek Wójcicki, Vice President Agnieszka Surmacz, President of the transport operator MZK Roman Maksymiak, Director of the Investment Department Alicja Kajder – Pussty. Journalists from Gorzów accompanied them to convey their impressions of the trip to the residents.
The nature took over the infrastructure: not all track sections needed to be upgraded and have been taken over by the nature since the temporary closure in October 2017 I © UTM 
Trams will return soon to the stop Park Kopernika I © UTM 
Pesa delivered a total of 14 low-floor trams to Gorzów in 2019 I © UTM 
Tram test ride in times of Corona I © Gorzów.pl
The test ride was also accompanied by engineers – representatives of the investor, renovation contractor, tram manufacturer, specialists from MZK. While driving, they conducted acceptance tests, checked stop platforms, quality of tracks and smoothness of journeys.
There are some changes which have to made to the infrastructure. Some hedges and curbs have to be cut and some road signs to be repositioned. The new Pesa Twists have a width of 2.4 m and are therefore 20 centimeter wider than its’ Düwag/ Credé/ Wegmann predecessors.
The inhabitants of Gorzow received the appearance of the new Twist on Gorzów’s streets with great enthusiasm. The ride was long awaited by residents. On the whole route, the residents of Gorzów took pictures and made video films.
The 2.7 km branch to Piaski will be upgraded until 2021 I © UTM 
Tram will operate again on the Aleja 11 Listopada from July 2020 on I © UTM
The Pesa tram made its first test drive from the depot in Wieprzyce to the loop at former Silwan. During the test ride with was undertaken with all health and safety measures, President Jacek Wójcicki announced that the tram to start regular service on this line on July 2, on the city’s birthday.
Overall, all participants and stakeholders are happy that the tram is rolling through the city again with modern low-floor trams and everybody is looking forward to the re-opening of line 1 on 2 July.
Two videos of the tram testing are already available on Youtube:
