The Odesa trolleybus is celebrating its 80th anniversary!

On November 7, 1945, the first trolleybus route No. 1 began operations in Odesa, connecting the railway station to Leo Tolstoy Square.

The launch of the trolleybus service marked a significant milestone in the city's recovery from the devastation of World War II and the German-Romanian occupation. It was not just a transportation project but a symbol of returning to normalcy.

In fact, the trolleybus system was ready to launch back in 1941. The line was planned in 1940, the first vehicles arrived in the city, and 38 future drivers were trained in Kyiv.

However, the war disrupted those plans. The Romanian occupiers destroyed the infrastructure and took the trolleybuses away. After the liberation, some vehicles were returned and restored, becoming the first to operate on a route that was meant to start before the war.

Since then, 80 years have passed. The trolleybus has become more than just a means of transport; it is an integral part of Odesa's identity, the daily rhythm of the city, its memory and future.