Iconic T3 Coupe sightseeing tram, equipped with bar, making the rounds in Prague
Anyone who has ever been to Prague has likely seen the legendary T3 tram. It’s the oldest tram you’ll encounter in the capital and still offers good service. And there is one luxury version of this veteran where you can even order a drink at the bar.
Production of the T3s started back in 1960, and yet they still make up a large portion of the city’s fleet. According to data from the Prague Transport Company close to 400 trams of this type are operating in the capital.
However, one of these trams stands apart from all the others. It is a modernized luxury version of the the T3 Coupé. Petr Malík, head of the Historical Vehicles Department at the Prague Public Transport Museum explains:
The T3 Coupé has been in operation for seven years now and in the course of that time it has become an iconic sightseeing tram. In winter, it runs with windows, but usually from Easter until the end of October, the rear windows are removed,” he says.
The T3 Coupé is technically identical to the classic T3 trams still running through Prague’s streets. Its classy exterior and interior décor is the work of designer Anna Marešová, who also designed the new Petřín funicular cars. She transformed an everyday tram—one of the hundreds we see in Prague every day—into a classy vehicle, while preserving its identity. Here’s how Petr Malík describes it:
“The design includes a number of historical elements that appeared on various T-type trams over the years. The color of the tram is a glossy dark blue, compared to the red and beige original, and all the seats are white which is also striking, as the T3s typically have grey or red seats. There are folding seats in the section where it runs without windows in the summer and it has glass roof panels so that passengers can also see Prague’s landmarks from inside the tram. Then there are various other details -in the second section, the usual seating arrangement has been replaced with foldable faux-leather seats facing each other. And of course, there’s a bar where passengers can order beer on tap or other beverages.”
Thanks to its modernized bodywork, the T3 Coupé can even access areas where traditional two-axle trams are usually not allowed. The iconic tram can be booked for any route for private group rides. And occasionally it is available to members of the general public who see it and want to hop on.
“We also offer individual rides. It is quite expensive to book the whole tram for a private tour, not everyone can afford that and we want individuals to get the chance to enjoy the experience as well.”
The Tatra T3 trams were produced from the early 1960s through the late 1990s. With over 14,000 units built, it is the most produced tram model in the world.
