Chronicle of the Jena public transport
1 April 1901
State police acceptance of the first completed routes.
6 April 1901
Start of public tram service with 17 motor cars, four trailers and four goods wagons. Commissioning of the line headquarters - Holzmarkt - Schubertsburg.
15 April until 25 June 1901
Successive commissioning of the lines: Train station Saalbahnhof - Weimar-Geraer-train station; Steinweg - Mühltal; Weimar-Geraer-train station - Ölmühle and headquarters - Zwätzen
3 February 1903
The first sensational accident in the young years of the tram occurs in Quergasse. A railcar races down Wagnergasse, derails in the bend in Quergasse and breaks up. No personal injury is reported.
1908
The fare is a standard tariff of 10 Pfennig without transfer entitlement.
30 June 1908
On the occasion of the 350th anniversary of the foundation of the university, the first network extension takes place. The line from Schubertsburg is extended along Kahlaische Straße to Burgau.
1 January 1909
The first conductors are appointed on the tram trains. The tickets are now available in a graduated tariff of 10 to 30 pfennigs. The transfer ticket and the first weekly and monthly tickets for workers and pupils are introduced.
3 August 1909
The Holzmarkt becomes a central tram junction.
1910
After nine years of intensive use of the tram tracks, the first maintenance work is being carried out on the tracks.
1911
Ten railcars receive electric heating. However, the drivers still work on an open platform in all weathers.
30 May 1914
The line to Jena-Ost is inaugurated. For the time being, the tram runs from Steinweg over the newly built Camsdorf Bridge to the "Grüne Tanne". Five new railcars are purchased from Waggonfabrik Görlitz for the extended network. For the first time, vehicles with a glass platform are on the road in Jena.
1915 – 1917
During the First World War, trams are subject to timetable restrictions. For the first time, women are employed as conductors. The post office and the Zeiss main factory receive connecting tracks and are thus connected to the railway stations. From this point on, goods and mail transport is organised via the tramway.
14 September 1917
By order, there are severe restrictions in tram operation, leading to the discontinuation of the Botzstraße, Mühltal line. Despite all this, the high demand for tram transport remains.
1920
End of the war, post-war period, world economic crisis. A fare increase to 1 RM can avert the closure of the tram service. However, the losses continue to rise. Fares increase to RM 8 - passengers stay away.
19 October 1922
The tram service in Jena stops operating.
1925
The heavily used Spittelplatz - Schlachthof (today Tonnenmühle) section is upgraded to double track.
1926
From the Holzmarkt to the Red Tower, an independent signalling system regulates the traffic.
1928
Introduction of bus service on the lines: Talschule – Holzmarkt – Sickingenstraße and Talschule – Holzmarkt – Tatzendpromenade – Lichtenberger Platz.
1 July 1929
The Jena tramway puts the first five newly built railcars into service. A year later, five more cars from Gotha followed. The historic railcar 26 is the last representative of this series.
1931
The tram line in the direction of Mühltal gets improved, the road routing through Bachstraße and Quergasse is abandoned. A direct connection through Wagnergasse facilitates the route to Mühltal.
1932
The bus services are reduced considerably.
April 1935
After the new construction of the Saale bridge in Burgau, the tram line to Lobeda goes into operation.
1936
At the end of 1936, the total length of the route network for public passenger transport is 18.33 kilometres.
1937
Takeover of ten well-preserved railcars from the neighbouring city of Weimar. Six of these cars are converted into sidecars.
6 January 1938
A second attempt to offer bus transport in Jena is initiated. Five buses are available for passenger transport.
1939
Change of tram lines: line Lobeda - Holzmarkt - Zwätzen, line Jena-Ost - Holzmarkt - Mühltal, and line Westbahnhof - Holzmarkt - Saalbahnhof
1939
The Second World War brings about a reduction in the timetable. The bus service is restricted. A lack of staff (conductors and drivers) and a shortage of equipment make the situation more difficult. However, the war leads to an immense increase in transport services. Thanks to the inventiveness and dedication of the staff, the tram runs until 13 April 1945 despite many restrictions and the destruction caused by bombs.
1942
Tram stops are merged. The missing staff is replaced by "Eastern workers".
27 October 1943
The tram line Saalbahnhof - Westbahnhof is temporarily suspended.
From June 1944
People with buggies are excluded from transport at rush-hours.
April 1945
Due to area bombing and the blowing up of Camsdorf Bridge in April 1945, the tramway ceases operation.
5 May 1945
The "lectrical" is moving out of the depot again. However, the first journeys do not yet adhere to a regular timetable. A shuttle service is set up with two railcars remaining in Jena-Ost. During the nights, tipper wagons and a railcar are used to transport the rubble to Burgau, Winzerla and the Saale bridge.
13 July 1946
The newly built Camsdorf Bridge is inaugurated. A tram connection from the city centre to Jena-Ost can be resumed.
1948
It is virtually impossible to procure replacement lines for vehicles and railway equipment. Material shortages require the removal of used tracks. Temporarily, bus services can no longer be maintained.
1 June 1949
The final separation of railway operations and electrical power generation is decided. Foundation of the "VEB (K) Städtischer Verkehr Jena".
1951
The first delivery of new tram vehicles made in GDR arrives: two motor coaches and two sidecars of the "LOWA-WERDAU" type.
1954
The years from 1954 onwards are marked by an upswing, as well as new vehicles and extensive construction work to improve the infrastructure of the tramway and local public transport. The planning of a new depot is under discussion.
1955
The first six H6B buses are running on the bus routes.
1958
Introduction of sight card railcars for holders of seasonal tickets. The driver checks at the boarding gate. Conductors are now only in the sidecars.
1959 – 1961
The Ernst-Thälmann-Ring (today Löbdergraben), Teichgraben and Holzmarkt, are generously redesigned.
1961 – 1962
Double-track extension of the line between Scharnhorststraße and the hospital. The Paradiesbahnhof-Felsenkeller line is also opened for double-track tram traffic.
15 May 1963
Discontinuation of tram line 3 (Westbahnhof - Holzmarkt - Saalbahnhof). The General Transport Plan includes replacing the tram with other means of transport. The "squeaky, traffic obstructing tram" is to be replaced by flexible buses. The procurement and maintenance costs are lower, roads are available and there is no shortage of diesel fuel.
1964
The line is extended from the former terminus at Zwätzen Schleife. With the construction of the reversing loop, one-way vehicles can be used in Jena for the first time.
1966
An expert opinion on the solution of local transport problems in Jena is being prepared with the following proposals:
- construction of a new tram line to the residential area Nord II
- discontinuation of tram service on the Winzerla - Lobeda line
- new single-track line Kerbelweg - Winzerla
- new double-track line Kahlaische Straße - Neu-Lobeda
- extension of the railway in Jena-Ost
- gradual conversion of the tram network to buses by 1985 - starting with the Holzmarkt-Mühltal line
1 June 1969
The bus line 16 Mühltal - Neu-Lobeda starts operation. The share of passenger transport with the now extensive bus fleet grows with the development and settlement of the new housing areas Lobeda-West, Lobeda-Ost and Winzerla.
16 June 1969
Due to construction progress of the motorway to Lobeda and the construction of the combined heat and power plant in Winzerla, the operation of the tram line between Alt-Lobeda and Winzerla is discontinued.
23 June 1969
Commissioning of the Winzerla reversing loop.
1970
The "Gries" is temporarily used as a storage and maintenance facility.
until 1971
Double-track extension of the tram line to Jena Nord as far as Milchhof. Transporting the high number of passengers by bus is proving to be very costly. On the lines to Lobeda, buses often run at one-minute intervals.
1974
Completion of the motor transport depot in Burgau. The municipal transport company parks its buses here as a tenant.
1975
The old pay boxes are replaced by print validators. The worldwide oil crisis is also noticeable in the GDR. The rush-hour chaos is already evident in the mid-70s. Sometimes rush-hour traffic almost comes to a standstill. Enormous crowds at bus stops and overcrowded buses are part of the cityscape. The need for a rail-based means of local passenger transport becomes evident.
1976
Railcar No. 26 is transferred from Eisenach to Jena and presented to the public on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Jena public transport company.
1977
The tram network still has 28 railcars and 52 sidecars. The bus fleet comprises 93 vehicles of the types Ikarus 66 to 280. For comparison: In 1960, 16 buses were in service.
1979
Reconstruction of the "Beutenberg" passing point.
from 1981
Again, there is official talk of the great importance of the tram for local public transport. First studies are carried out to connect the Lobeda development area to the rail network.
1984
The double-track extension of the line to Winzerla begins.
27 September 1987
Line 1 runs again from Zwätzen to Winzerla, line 2 between Jena-Ost and Holzmarkt.
1990
At the beginning of the 1990s, the question of expanding or closing the tram service is raised again.
28 June 1990
The Jenaer Nahverkehrsgesellschaft mbH is founded from the VEB Städtischer Nahverkehr Jena.
24 October 1991
The city decides to expand the route network and rehabilitate the existing tram
December 1991
New technology is introduced in the bus sector. The first low-floor buses, three Mercedes Benz buses and five MAN NG 272 articulated buses, are used for passenger transport. Bus services, especially to and from Lobeda, have reached their highest capacity. The track and catenary systems are in need of renewal, the tram fleet is marked by wear and tear.
1991
The tramway lines 1 and 2 are renewed in sections. The double-tracked roadbeds are overhauled and new stop areas are created. The reversing loop in Zwätzen receives new tracks and a low-floor platform. The heavily worn tracks at Holzmarkt are to replaced. Over the next eight years, the tram network is to be completely renovated and renewed.
1992 – 1993
Refurbishment of further track sections on lines 1 and 2.
16 July 1993
The ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the new tramway line takes place in the Lobeda district, in Erlanger Allee.
1994
Introduction of the computerised operations control system (RBL).
1995
The existing workshop complex and the parking facilities for the tram vehicles in Dornburger Straße (depot built in 1901) and Clara-Zetkin-Straße (extension of the depot from 1938) are getting completely renovated. The redesign of the bus fleet has been completed. Now 39 modern low-floor buses in various designs are on the road.
16 December 1995
Ceremonial presentation of the first low-floor tram in Jena.
1996
By July, all ten low-floor trams of the first batch have been delivered.
16 December 1996
Ceremonial opening of the first section of the new line between Winzerla and Lobeda.
1997
Another nine low-floor vehicles are delivered this year by the railway technology company Adtranz. The new vehicles, now 19 in total, are not enough to secure the traffic. The "old" Gotha vehicles remain in service.
1 September 1997
The Nahverkehr goes online at www.jenah.de
16 December 1997
Ceremonial opening of the new tram line to Lobeda-Ost and Lobeda-West through Oberaue. At the same time, the newly designed inner city area is opened to the public for trams. The total length of the Jena tramway network is now 23.7 kilometres, of which 3.4 kilometres are single-track.
16 July 1998
Laying of the foundation stone for the construction of the workshop building at the new depot in Jena-Burgau.
1999
The stop "An der Trebe" is adapted to a new road layout, thoroughly modernised and renamed "Jenzigweg".
16 December 1999
Inauguration of the Customer Service Centre in the Holzmarkt-Passage.
April 2000
Adtranz is contracted to supply 14 low-floor vehicles.
May 2000
The test operation for a new dynamic "passenger information system", which can inform passengers about departure times, current messages and rail replacement services, begins.
June 2000
The 'stop on request' service is introduced on certain bus routes.
6 April 2001
The tramway in Jena celebrates its 100th anniversary.
Spring 2002
Jenaer Nahverkehrsgesellschaft mbH is expecting the first of 14 new low-floor trams.
August 2002
Start of construction of the service building at the depot in Jena-Burgau.
March 2003
Final use of Gotha vehicles on line 1.
22 May 2003
Commissioning of the 33rd and thus last new low-floor tram.
12 July 2003
Inauguration of the new service building of the Jenaer Nahverkehrsgesellschaft mbH in Burgau.
Summer 2003
Conversion of the Heidelberg articulated railcar no. 221 into a party train begins.
15 December 2003
Extension of line 16 until Isserstedt.
2 April 2004
Start of construction for the double-track extension between "Steinweg" and "Am Steinborn".
1 September 2004
Inauguration of the "Partybahn".
29 April 2005
Inauguration of the Camsdorf Bridge.
13 June 2005
Start of extension of Saalbahnhofstraße between Käthe-Kollwitz-Straße and Spittelplatz (west side) with conversion of the stop to a low-floor stop.
8 August 2005
Start of construction of the eastern track and outdoor facilities at the Jena-Burgau depot.
June 2006
Start of construction of the bus parking hall on the company premises in Burgau.
February 2007
Completion of the bus parking hall: 44 buses find parking space in the new hall.
April 2007
Start of construction for the tram depot on the company grounds in Burgau.
16 July 2007
Groundbreaking ceremony for the tram ring connection between Lobeda-West and Burgau via the Göschwitz commercial area.
November 2007
Completion of the tram parking hall on the company premises in Burgau with space for 20 trams.
June 2008
Construction of the free-swinging tram bridge leading to the Göschwitz commercial area.
16 December 2008
The new depot in Burgau has been completed after eleven years of construction. It now houses the tram and bus workshop, petrol station, shop building, bus depot and tram depot.
May 2009
Ring connection: Lobeda-West - Göschwitz station - Burgau
16 December 2009
Opening newly built section „Lobeda-West-Bahnhof – Göschwitz – Burgau“.
March 2010
The umbrella brand "Stadtwerke Jena Gruppe" was presented to the public. A tram presents the umbrella brand campaign in the cityscape.
August 2010
Four standard buses and one articulated bus will be replaced in the fleet. Four more standard buses have been ordered. Furthermore, the acquisition of three to five new trams is planned.
October 2010
The cooperation with teilAuto is strengthened. The "Abo + teilAuto" campaign will jointly address customers who do not have their own car, are mostly mobile with public transport, but still need a car in certain situations.
Spring 2011
After more than 40 years of commitment to Jena's public transport system, Uwe Friedrich says goodbye as managing director.
New models of stand-alone ticket machines replace the long-standing machines at the stops in Winzerla, Lobeda and the city centre.
July 2011
In 2010, the local transport signed a contract for the delivery of eight standard buses from Solaris. Four vehicles were delivered to Nahverkehr in August 2010, two more in June 2011. The last two Urbino 12 buses arrived at the depot in Burgau on 21 July 2011. Those two most recently delivered vehicles are equipped with air conditioning for the passenger compartment for the first time.
July 2011
On 11 July 2011, Jena's local transport authority and Solaris signed a contract for the delivery of five Solaris trams (Solaris Tramino Jena). These are three-car bi-directional vehicles with low-floor technology.
October 2011
Opening of the art exhibition "Frank Stella-New Works" in the Old Tram Depot in Dornburger Straße. (15 October to 4 December 2011)
January 2012
Udo Beran starts as the new managing director of Jenaer Nahverkehr GmbH.
April 2012
The Jena tramway turns 111 - celebrated with an open day on 2 June 2012.
Summer holidays 2012
Rehabilitation of the Knebelstraße track triangle and the Oberaue track interchange.
February 2013
The long-time managing director Dr. Bernhard Graduszewski is bidding farewell after 28 years in the service of Jena's local public transport. During 23 of the 28 years, he was Managing Director - since 1990.
July 2013
Two new Solaris Urbino 18 articulated buses are ceremoniously inaugurated.
The first issue of the new customer magazine "eXpress" is distributed to all Jena households.
Summer holidays 2013
Rehabilitation of the tram tracks at the Holzmarkt track triangle and renewal of the tracks in the Red Tower curve area.
14 September until 10 November 2013
The special exhibition "Back to Balance" makes a stop at the Old Tram Depot.
9 November 2013
Presentation of the new Solaris Tramino Jena at Ernst-Abbe-Platz.
5 December 2013
The communication department starts with a thank-you event for all employees as part of an initial marketing concept.
11 January 2014
The Tramino goes on its maiden voyage with 60 invited guests.
Mid March 2014
The party track gets a new look, Köstritzer is the new sponsor.
31 May 2014
The anniversary "100 years of tramway in Jena East" is celebrated at the "Jenzigweg" stop
10 May until 27 July 2014
Friedrich Schiller University presents the artist Peter Halley with the exhibition "Prisons" in the Old Tram Depot (10 May to 27 July).
8 July 2014
Dismissal of Udo Beran as Managing Director - Appointment of Thomas Zaremba as Managing Director.
Summer holidays 2014
Redevelopment of the railway triangle in Lobeda.
November 2014
The first customer advisory board of the Jena public transport system is appointed.
1 December 2014
Steffen Gundermann and Andreas Möller take up their positions as managing directors.
14 December 2014
For the first time, the timetable changes in winter. Start of service of the new bus lines 42 and 43 to the south of Jena and extension of bus line 13 to Maua.
27 May 2015
The service centre in the Holzmarkt-Passage reopens for customers after 6 weeks of complete renovation.
2 July 2015
Outside announcers on vehicles of the Jena public transport system are put into operation.
Summer holidays 2015
Renovation of the railway triangle Kupferhütchen.
30 November 2015
Digital makeover for the Jena public transport internet portal - new at nahverkehr-jena.de
March until June 2016
Barrier-free expansion of the stops Spittelplatz and Stifterstraße
April until July 2016
Exhibition "Quantum Songs" by the artist ROTRAUT in the Old Tram Depot
September 2016
Two new standard buses put into operation
October 2016
Commissioning of a fast charging station for electric cars on the company premises in Burgau
11 December 2016
Timetable change: New service of bus lines 10/11/12 via the Beutenberg, reorganisation of bus lines in the south of Jena
May until July 2017
Exhibition "Into the Wood" by artist Georg Thumbach in the Old Tram Depot
10 June 2017
Open day at the Burgau depot
August 2017
Commissioning of two new buses: one standard bus and one articulated bus
30 November 2017
Solar system on the roof of the tram depot at Burgau depot goes into operation
10 December 2017
Timetable change: improvement of night services - lines 1, 2 and 10 run around the clock; lines 33, 34 and 35 are cancelled
Introduction of mobile ticket in the app MeinJena
Summer holidays 2018
Renovation of railway triangle Winzerla
July 2018
Commissioning of the new bus terminus in Göschwitz
8 September 2018
Start of construction of the 1st phase "Tramway to Heaven"
September 2018
Commissioning of two new MAN-standard buses
November 2018
Introduction of the service "stop on demand" on all tram and bus lines
May 2019
Buses and trains become mobile emergency islands
February 2020
The first three e-buses are used on line 15
from March 2020
The Corona pandemic has local transport and the city firmly in its grip: Drastic restrictions in public life will lead to a considerable slump in demand from mid-March 2020. The most important lines run according to a special timetable with considerably restricted services until mid-April.
August 2020
Introduction of evita e-scooter sharing
December 2020
Extension of VMT area to include Saalfeld-Rudolstadt district and Saale-Orla district
April 2021
Local transport in Jena turns 120 - celebration has to be cancelled due to Corona
July 2021
New bus route 42 "to Heaven" starts
September 2021
Public presentation of the light railway design at the Burgau depot
1 January 2022
JES Regionalgesellschaft becomes subsidiary of Jenaer Nahverkehr
May 2022
Presentation of the newly restored historic railcar 26 at the Long Night of the Museums
July 2022
Inauguration of Stadtwerke Customer Center in Saalstraße
June until August 2022
9-euro monthly ticket valid for local and regional transport
31 August 2022
Topping-out ceremony Burgau depot
19 September until 30 October 2022
Big building site at railway triangle Lobeda
14 March 2023
Presentation of the new logo
1 May 2023
Introduction Deutschlandticket
5 May 2023
The first Lichtbahn (801) arrives in Jena
15 May 2023
Two more e-buses will be used on line 14
3 June 2023
Open day JNV/JES
8 July until 20 August 2023
Construction site in the city centre during summer
Mid August 2023
Vending machines of the latest generation will be installed at selected stops
Cronicle of the JES Verkehrsgesellschaft
13 November 1992
Foundation of JES Verkehrsgesellschaft with headquarters in Jena
13 April 1994
Eisenberg town line turns one year old, ticket costs DM 1
1994
Connection of the centres of Jena, Eisenberg, Hermsdorf and Stadtroda every hour and school holiday ticket sold with digital wristwatches for 10 DM
1995
Redesign of Eisenberg bus station
30 May 1997
Move into the newly built depot in Eisenberg
2000
Corporate Advisory Board established at JES
1 March 2005
Provision of the regular senior citizens' bus to GLOBUS in Hermsdorf
2005
Start of the shuttle service for the 1st Christmas Valley
December 2007
Cooperation agreement between JES and the Jena public transport system
2010
JES joins the VMT for the Saale-Holzland district
November 2010
Re-opening of the bus station in Jena
March 2013
Andreas Möller becomes Managing Director
2014
Procurement of 13 new low-floor regular buses in one year and redesign of the route network in main lines, secondary lines and school transport.
2015
Further major investment in 10 new low-floor scheduled buses
December 2015
Installation of a large-scale photovoltaic system in cooperation with BürgerEnergie
16. December 2021
Steffen Gundermann is the new Managing Director of JES Verkehrsgesellschaft - this results in the same dual leadership as with Jenaer Nahverkehr
1. January 2022
JES becomes subsidiary of Jenaer Nahverkehr
7. July 2022
Acquisition of six new Citaro-buses by EvoBus/Mercedes Benz
14. March 2023
JES and JNV get a joint logo
3. June 2023
Open day at the depots in Jena and Eisenberg
2. August 2023
Acquisition of six new Citaro-buses by EvoBus/Mercedes Benz