Celebrating 80 Years of Trolleybuses in Odesa

The trolleybus in Odesa marks its 80th anniversary!

On November 7, 1945, the first trolleybus route No. 1 was launched in Odesa: «Railway Station — Leo Tolstoy Square».

The introduction of trolleybus services was a key milestone in the city’s recovery after the German occupation and the end of World War II. It represented not just a transport project but a symbol of returning to peaceful life.

In fact, the trolleybus system was ready for launch as early as 1941: the line's project was developed in 1940, the first vehicles had arrived, and 38 future drivers were trained in Kyiv.

However, the war shattered these plans. Romanian occupiers destroyed the infrastructure, and trolleybuses were taken away. After Odesa was liberated, some vehicles were returned, refurbished, and became the first to operate on the route that had been planned before the war.

Since then, 80 years have passed. The trolleybus has evolved into more than just a means of transportation; it has become part of Odesa’s identity, the daily rhythm of the city, its history, and its future.