History

1875

Introduction of horse-drawn stagecoaches, which served as Kraków’s first organized public transport system

1882

Opening the first narrow-gauge horse-drawn tram line in Kraków

1901

Opening the first narrow-gauge electrical tram line in Kraków

1910

The gmina becomes the majority shareholder in the transport company

1913

The first standard-gauge tram line opens, together with a new depot at ul. Świętego Wawrzyńca

1917

The first tram crosses the bridge over the Vistula; it connects Podgórze with the city centre

1927

The first regular bus services begin

1928

Krakowska Miejska Kolej Elektryczna S.A. (Kraków Municipal Electrical Railway) is established; the Kraków gmina is the majority shareholder

1939

New tram depot in Podgórze made available

Introduction of new tram carriages; they are manufactured by Sanocka Fabryka Wagonów (Sanok Railway Carriage Factory)

1945

A month after the war ends, the first tram line enters service; a few months later, buses begin operation

1949

Carriages of the N type, from Chorzowska Wytwórnia Wagonów (Chorzów Railway Carriage Works), enter service

1951

Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Komunikacyjne (Municipal Transport Company) is established as a public company

1952

The first tram line to Nowa Huta is opened

1953

Closure of the last narrow-gauge tram line in Kraków

1956

MPK extends the scope of its services to include cab transportation

1960

Central tram-repair workshops opened

1965

Tram depot opens in Nowa Huta

1969

The first articulated carriages of the 102N type are delivered

1975

All pre-war carriages are withdrawn from use

Carriages of the 105N type are introduced

1980

A bus depot, the city’s largest, is opened in Wola Duchacka

1983

The bus depot in Płaszów begins operation

1988

The last N-type tram carriages are withdrawn

1990

MPK is transformed into six independent limited liability companies, and MPK Sp. z o.o. is established

1991

A new range of tickets, modelled on European methods, is introduced

1993

Kraków’s first computerised ticket-sales office opens its doors at ul. Św. Wawrzyńca 13

1994

Purchase of the first low-floor bus

1995

The first stretch of express tram line is built and, after an interruption of 20 years, tunnelling resumes beneath the central railway station

1997

MPK transformed from a limited liability company into a joint stock company and becomes a member of Krakowski Holding Komunalny S.A.

The last red bus is withdrawn

1998

MPK S.A. is involved in the construction of the Lajkonik bridge over the Vistula

In operation since 1966, the Czyżyny bus station is now closed down

1999

New routings for buses and trams are determined

The first low-floor carriages are delivered to Kraków

2000

Assembly of the first series of NGT6 tram carriages begins

2001

MPK S.A. is named a Fair Play Company (Przedsiębiorstwo Fair Play) for the first time

The final 102N carriage is withdrawn

2002

Merger with Miejski Zakład Naprawy Tramwajów Sp. z o.o. (Municipal Tram-Repair Works); an integrated management system is implemented

2003

MPK S.A. receives the PN-EN ISO 9001:2001 quality certificate (confirmed by the IQNet certification network)

Delivery of 12 second-series, low-floor NGT6 trams

2004

Fifty modern buses assembled at MPK S.A. are purchased

Beginning of stage one of the Integrated Public Transport in the Kraków Agglomeration programme, which is financed with EU structural funds and by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

E1-type carriages are introduced

2005

The pilot programme for the Kraków City Card (Krakowska Karta Miejska) is launched

Beginning of the Civitas Caravel project, which involves gas-fuelled buses, flexible lines and buses with bicycle storage; it is co-financed from EU structural funds

2006

Receipt of certificate confirming that an integrated company management system consistent with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 has been implemented and maintained

Formation of Zarząd Transportu Publicznego (Public Transport Executive), which takes over the function of public transport operator

A new agreement for the provision of public transport services is concluded; it runs for 14 years for trams, for 8 years for buses and for 5 years for supplementary services

Buses fuelled by natural gas enter service

Following modernisation and restructuring, the following streets are reopened to the public: ul. Lubicz and ul. Rakowicka

Concluding, with the consortium of companies Bombardier Vossloh Kiepe and Solaris, an agreement with regard to the supply of 24 modern, low-floor carriages

A bus station is opened at Krowodrza Górka

2007

The Tele-bus service, Poland’s first dial-a-ride service, is introduced

The old Ikarus buses are withdrawn

The section of tram track from Kamienna terminal to Krowodrza Górka is modernised; MPK S.A. is the beneficiary of the investment

The Kraków City Card system officially begins

Introduction of the first of 24, third-series trams from Bombardier

Forty-five modern, low-floor buses are purchased

2008

MPK S.A. launches a campaign under the slogan, Spokojnie, już jadę (Don't worry, I'm on my way)

The introduction of Kraków City Card machines makes card payments possible

2009

Onboard, next-stop announcements are recorded by well-known and popular artists, including Krzysztof Globisz, Anna Dymna and Grzegorz Turnau

The Tele-bus service starts running in the Płaszów area

After nearly 15 years of service, the Jelcz M120 is solemnly withdrawn

MPK S.A. is named Reliable Employer of 2008 in the fifth edition of the prestigious Reliable Employer of the Year competition

In a competition organized by Computerworld magazine, MPK S.A. is named IT Leader, 2009, in the Public Sector category

Kraków’s public transport system is ranked ninth in the world by Forbes magazine

2010

A tram line to Mały Płaszów is built, and ul. Długa is modernized, as part of stage two of the EU project: Integrated Public Transport in the Kraków Metropolitan Area

A parade of historic buses and trams commemorates the 135th anniversary of MPK S.A.

MPK S.A. signs a contract for the delivery of 24 new trams, each more than 32 metres in length

2011

MPK S.A. orders 100 new buses

MPK S.A. launches a dual-function passenger card for tickets and payments

Launch of tram line to Ruczaj

2012

Season tickets go on sale for the first time

The 405N, at 40.5 metres the longest single-section tram in Poland, begins operation in Kraków

QR codes appear at public transport stops in Kraków

MPK S.A. is awarded the CSR Silver Leaf

An NGT8 tram purchased by MPK S.A. is displayed at the InnoTrans transport fair in Berlin

The first NGT8 trams arrive in Kraków

A new tram and bus line system launches in Kraków

2013

MPK S.A. tests its first electric bus

MPK S.A. withdraws the Nuremberg GT6 trams from service

Delivery of 24 NGT8 trams

2014

Poland's first line served by electric buses is opened

A hybrid bus is purchased

2015

A parade of historical buses and trams marks the 140th anniversary of Kraków’s public transport system

Thirty-six new Krakowiak trams, each over 42 metres long, are delivered

2016

An agreement for the delivery of 107 innovative and eco-friendly urban buses is signed; they are co-funded from EU funds as part of the Małopolska Regional Operational Programme (2014-2020) and of Integrated Territorial Investments