Pyongyang Public Transport EXPLAINED | Taxis, Trams & Trolleybuses
Рет қаралды 137,858
Күн бұрынThe Taxis, Trams and Trolleybuses that grace the streets of the DPRK's capital, Pyongyang, are some of the most popular ways to navigate the city for locals. Along with the Pyongyang metro, these networks carry the citizens of Pyongyang around their home city - but what do these networks look like?
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🚋 Social Media
Patreon: www.patreon.com/dprkexplained
Twitter: @BenWestonDPRK
Instagram: @BenWestonDPRK
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:12 Trolleybuses
06:06 Trams
09:36 Taxis
10:23 Outro
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🎵 Music:
Wangjaesan Light Music Band:
해당화 - Wild Roses
종다리 - Skylark
생이란 무엇인가 - What is Life
병사는 벼이삭 설레니는 소리를 듣네 - The Soldier Heard Rice Ears Rustling
그대가 나에게 준것은 - What You Have Given Me
내 이름 묻지 마세요 - Don't Ask My Name
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#NorthKorea #DPRK #Pyongyang
@romawar 2 жыл бұрын
It's so sad you forgot to mention, that Pyongyang has the oldest running trolleybus in the world. It has gone 8 million kilometers, and has 161 "5만" stars. The model is called Chollima 9.25, tail number 3. The reason why Korean people keep it running for more than 50 years is that comrade Kim Il Sung once traveled in it.
@geography_czek5699 2 жыл бұрын
8 000 000 km? That would be something around 400 km every day in these 56 years. (if the average speed would be for example 30 km/h, then it would be around 13 hours of constant running every day). I think it is more likely 3 000 000 km I found on some websites. That would be more realistic because then it is "only" 150 km per day.
@geography_czek5699 2 жыл бұрын
The websites I referring to are Polish wikipedia and some random noname wiki :D
@geography_czek5699 2 жыл бұрын
Even on the picture of that trolleybus I found is number of stars equal to something around 3 000 000 km.
@romawar 2 жыл бұрын
@@geography_czek5699 I'm sorry if I'm wrong, I got information from this video: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ep6pnZl53My9ZWg.html Yeah, it's in Russian language, sorry again.
@romawar 2 жыл бұрын
Oh, and tail number is 903. I made a mistake
@mecha37000fighter 2 жыл бұрын
The opening title shot with the words behind the Juche Tower was super cool and the combination of the explanatory animations for each line with street footage was also really engaging. All in all, it was a very calming and informative video, thank you!
@m.3257 Жыл бұрын
You should move to NK :)
@shinyrain3074 Жыл бұрын
As a South Korean, the North Korean transportation system shown in the video looks like the 70s in the south. Originally, it was the same country, the same Korean people. It's a pity that the difference is so wide.
@angkarbasil 2 жыл бұрын
Public Transportation in Korea has always intrigued me, i have a book written in Japanese about the Korean railways and trams
@TatamiDisco 2 жыл бұрын
Would you happen to know the title of that book? Japanese is my second language and I'm looking for more transportation related books to read lately. ありがとう
@fluffysheep2800 2 жыл бұрын
I really like trolley busses, I honestly think they’re the best public transportation method behind trains/trams, and over busses. So it was really cool to learn Pyongyang has such an extensive network. If i may ask: you’ve done quite a few videos about Pyongyang’s public transit, could you (at some point in the future) look at the transit for other dprk cities? I think it would be a really interesting learning experience to hear about places that aren’t in the capital.
@DPRKExplained 2 жыл бұрын
That is an option, I’ll see what information I can find out. I know there are some old KCTV reports about trolleybuses in Wonsan and there’s a tram network in Chongjin
@jurgenkoks9142 2 жыл бұрын
Have you ever had to use trolley busses everyday? :D Well I have and I do not like them as much as it happens fairly often that for one or another reason one of the tentacles comes off the electricity line and then the bus is stuck for several minutes before it gets realigned again. And yes it also happens to modern trolley busses. Not so fun if you run late for work or school xD
@crazyoncoffee 2 жыл бұрын
I’m not sure I’d call 3 tram lines and 10 trolley bus lines an “extensive” network for a city of 2.8 million, but still interesting nonetheless
@fluffysheep2800 2 жыл бұрын
@@crazyoncoffee I mean it is for where I am at, and most cities within a thousand kilometers of me. but it may be different where you are
@yaash4123 2 жыл бұрын
@@crazyoncoffee All we got by me is buses. I'd love to have some more alternatives.
@weirdfish1216 Жыл бұрын
tfw a city that’s supposedly dirt poor has a better public transportation system than 95% of u.s. and canadian cities
@theinternexperience890 Жыл бұрын
I don't know if you're just very interested in the DPRK or a state-affiliated channel but regardless this insight into North Korean life is very valuable and provides a good insight into the country for English speakers
@Kennephone 11 ай бұрын
I'm surprised at how environmentally friendly the city is. Geo thermal power, electric trollies and trains, and very few cars (of course that's cause most people can't afford and/or not allowed to have one, but still).
@itechcircle9410 7 ай бұрын
Not geo thermal-just thermal. ie coal powered.
@nayannair2351 2 жыл бұрын
Such amazing videos! The videos, the animations, the explanation, everything is perfect! Thank you for showing us how the DPRK works! Looking forward to the next video! Cheers!
@professormicron6470 2 жыл бұрын
8:51 That little green tram is interesting, cause it doesn't look like an eastern bloc design at all. It has that German/Austrian/Swiss vibe to it. Almost looks like Zurich trams. It would be interesting to know how it got there
@TypicalDutchSaysHi 2 жыл бұрын
They are Swiss! Imported from Zurch indeed. Zurich type Be 4/4. Purchased by North Korea in 1995
@4ever242 2 жыл бұрын
So also the Czechoslovak Tatra trams look quite exotic in such a distant Asian country. Especially since these trams were created thanks to the American PCC license. Like classic trams in Brussels. Tatra trams still run in the former Soviet Union, but in the 1970s they also ran in Egypt, for example. These classic trams still run in Germany. From the Czech Republic and Germany, these used trams are also sold to many Eastern European cities, such as Romania or Ukraine. And also to Pyongyang 😁
@kc3302 2 жыл бұрын
There are some slight mentions of it in the comments, but all the "new" trams & trolleybuses are rebuilds of older vehicles. Some of the older trolleybuses (seen in other videos) were in very poor condition, operating very slowly and appearing to have no suspension. It looks like the new trolleybuses are at least in decent mechanical condition. Thank you for details of the tram & trolleybus routes which I haven't seen anywhere previously.
@lucasneres9016 2 жыл бұрын
thanks for all the effort you put on in the making of these videos really appreciate it !
@DPRKExplained 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying the videos!
@timosha21 2 жыл бұрын
Ding ding! I'm a tram and I approve this video! Great footage!
@RamithGopinath1398 2 жыл бұрын
Very few channels give as deep an insight into the DPRK as this. Keep up the great work! 👏🏼
@ZaHandle Жыл бұрын
Even the North Koreans has better public transportation than the US
@222sundae Жыл бұрын
u should see Iran’s trains
@SINfromPL 2 жыл бұрын
Super interesting. Thanks for yet another video. They don't come out nearly often enough!
@kennethhannah4221 2 жыл бұрын
Another excellent, informative and well produced video 👍
@Rheilffordd 2 жыл бұрын
Excellent well researched and detailed video, well done!
@luis_zuniga 2 жыл бұрын
Awesome video. Could you make one about department stores or grocery shopping in the DPRK?
@denislong4295 2 жыл бұрын
Brilliant presentation. I really love your work. Thanks again for the effort!!!
@josephtheestalin9198 2 жыл бұрын
These videos are so educational! Thank you for helping me on my research papers.
@ExtremelyRareDPRKvideos 2 жыл бұрын
Great production quality and explanation as always!
@someonee3186 2 жыл бұрын
I love seeing DPRK explained's high quality vids.
@weirdfish1216 Жыл бұрын
your editing is actually amazing. especially the parts with the map on the table
@simondavey7787 2 жыл бұрын
Utterly fascinating. Thank you.
@hetrix1415 2 жыл бұрын
Very well made video .
@sidharthcs2110 Жыл бұрын
I wish we had these kinds of systems in our city
@geekybasilempire6874 2 жыл бұрын
I was waiting for your video
@ArmyMan0077111 2 жыл бұрын
Such a great video! Loved the visuals, you always make great progress with the editing! 😁
@DPRKExplained 2 жыл бұрын
Cheers! I'm very proud of how the maps came out in the end, so glad it's appreciated!
@charlesk1089 2 жыл бұрын
Excellent video.
@robertcameron2808 11 ай бұрын
A great little video.
@nathanrocksusuck 7 ай бұрын
I love your videos about the benefits of normal life experienced by DPRK citizens. I just bought your shirt to represent and support your hard work. Keep it up!
@robertsilva8097 2 жыл бұрын
I just subscribed to this beautiful Channel
@flawlessbinary7449 2 жыл бұрын
Now this is how to start a morning.
@DPRKExplained 2 жыл бұрын
Morning!
@felixtheswiss 2 жыл бұрын
The green trams are ex Zurich stock built in Switzerland.
@anindrapratama 2 жыл бұрын
i’ve seen some pics of conventional buses converted into trolley buses in Pyongyang, it happened to the Ikarus and Karosa models
@robinrodrigues4177 2 жыл бұрын
I loved your Pyongyang metro video so much that watching it several times wasn't enough (Could've spoken about Kwangmyong Station though) . I was WAITING for the other forms of Transport and it finally arrived.. thank you 😊 P.S please let us know if they're planning to extend the metro system
@DPRKExplained 2 жыл бұрын
The omission of Kwangmyong-yok was the biggest regret I have from that video! 😂There is a map, somewhere, that I think I have of potential expansion routes. If I have it, it'll show up in a video at some point.
@robinrodrigues4177 2 жыл бұрын
@@DPRKExplained Will be waiting for that video 😎
@nerooeeroo 2 жыл бұрын
I see a lot of bikes in this and other videos, I wonder what kind of bike infrastructure they have? do they all run on the sidewalks, or the streets, or are there dedicated lanes? dedicated routes? I'm curious. How prevalant are e-bikes? Are there cargo bikes?
@TylerHodelin 2 жыл бұрын
I would also like to know this
@crazyoncoffee 2 жыл бұрын
I like how the lines are at least somewhat in number order. My city’s bus routes are 22, 23, 29, 35, 49, 70 etc, seemingly random numbers. There was originally a plan for them but there may as well not be now because they’re so random.
@enthusiastisch1922 2 жыл бұрын
Same!
@erkinalp Жыл бұрын
Maybe because many original routes disappeared...
@trainzmarcel2074 2 жыл бұрын
glorious!
@alinapopescu872 Жыл бұрын
I'd love to spend a day hopping on and off trolleybuses, trams, and the subway!
@car24dude 7 ай бұрын
Thanks for sharing the nice parts of NK
@liamtahaney713 2 жыл бұрын
A video on bikes would be cool
@christopherlovelock9104 2 жыл бұрын
I think that is the only trolley-bus 'overhead' maintenance vehicle that is actually a trolley-bus I have ever seen.
@user-dg2lp5zc6c Жыл бұрын
I love Pyongyang, it vibes ✨
@heymike7037 Жыл бұрын
Wow. The whole country is like a time capsule to 20th Century Soviet communism. Those are they exact same trams and trolley buses I used to ride in the early 1990's in Bucharest! All of that footage looks like it could have been shot in post-communist Bucharest 30 or so years ago!
@tonywagner1626 2 жыл бұрын
Me: I should really start studying now Also me:
@pomegranatepomeranians2715 2 жыл бұрын
Great video as always! Where do you get all of your footage? It’s different from most footage of the DPRK by journalists. Would also be interested in learning about urbanism and housing in North Korea - I see a lot of the older housing is based on Soviet traditions, it would be cool to explore further
@DPRKExplained 2 жыл бұрын
Shot on location in Pyongyang either by me or my colleague. The housing and urban expansion of Pyongyang is something I'd be interested in exploring. Especially with the newer developments on Ryomyong/Mirae St and the new districts being built right now along the Pothong River and in S E.Pyongyang.
@pomegranatepomeranians2715 2 жыл бұрын
@@DPRKExplained the newer housing would be cool, also how housing has changed throughout the different eras. Keep up the great work!
@tylerbrown9184 Жыл бұрын
Shot on location?
@MrXtenzion 11 ай бұрын
Great video! Thank you for sharing your deep knowledge about the DPRK. It's a fascinating place. Do you know how the bus and tram network deal with electricity load shedding, do you know if key infrastructure are being excluded and will be run on a priority line that still will have power?
@ThirdTech 2 жыл бұрын
Nice Video Dude, but there is one point to improve. Please overlap the different Levels of Transportation to show how dense the network actually is at the end of the video. Its also better to see connections and so on. Carry On :)
@KT8D5 Жыл бұрын
fun fact: the Thongil 181 is literally just the Tatra KT8D5 with new bodywork.
@shelby2117 2 жыл бұрын
It makes me a bit sad to see the roads becoming more congested with vehicles. I've always been very impressed with their ability to maintain such quiet and easily traversable roads in a city of so many citizens! I hope they don't at some point also lose the traffic police (which could possibly be an interesting video topic as well). Fantastic video as always, happy to be able to support you as a Patron and I encourage others to do the same if able. Your talent and obvious passion for sharing informative and unbiased content on the DPRK are more than deserving!
@jeremiahberkshire5788 Жыл бұрын
yeah yeah unbiased 🤣🤣
@petergilkes7082 Жыл бұрын
@@jeremiahberkshire5788 Berk by name, Berk by nature!
@petergilkes7082 Жыл бұрын
@@ridinwithjake What's the big thing about driving? Pollution is something you really like?
@greenlawnfarm5827 Жыл бұрын
Yes, they should have roads with no vehicles. It is much more peaceful.
@neurofiedyamato8763 Жыл бұрын
I'm more impressed by their desire to make so many damn stroads despite not even having that many drivers. Considering how little driving is in the city, their public transit is not that extensive. Well still better than some American cities.
@mark123655 2 жыл бұрын
Great video.. As a Pt.2 or extension, do you have a similar breakdown of the bus fleet by type/manufacturer. And any interior shots? Finally what's the ticketing system like? Integrated/ smartcard/ pay driver. And can tour groups go on trolleybus/tram or are they limited to the metro?
@DPRKExplained 2 жыл бұрын
I recommend this website for the details around the buses: transphoto.org/list.php?cid=349&t=2 I believe it's a cash-payment system, although the Pyongyang metro recently introduced smartcards so, that could be rolled out further. Tours can ride the trams and trolleybuses, but we charter them rather than riding alongside locals like you can on the metro.
@kc3302 2 жыл бұрын
@@DPRKExplained yes a friend visiting DPRK on an organised tour a few years ago was able to get a chartered ride on the oldest tram.
@kc3302 2 жыл бұрын
I presume you know that you can only visit DPRK on an organised tour and you must stay with the group & tour guides at all times. But as OP says, the guides are normally able to obtain a chartered ride on a tram or trolleybus if requested. There have been transport enthusiast tours in the past where you can experience riding numerous vehicles, but still as a restricted group tour.
@dprkmusictranslated424 2 жыл бұрын
The only smartcard payment on trolleybuses was introduced in Wonsan about last year. It works like the Pyongyang Metro; one tap = one ride, flat fare.
@farraswijaya9267 2 ай бұрын
That moment when Pyongyang has somewhat better public transportation system than most Indonesian cities, even in Jakarta.
@Brick-Life 2 жыл бұрын
Awesome vehicles of Pyongyang!
@conradsz Жыл бұрын
10 trolley bus lines and four tram lines is hardly something to brag about for such a big city. Even with the subway, it seems the system is in efficient for the number of people.
@Torchiy 2 жыл бұрын
Trolleybuses are less polluting than petrol or diesel buses. In that regard, the DPRK is far ahead of most countries.
@antonnovotny4499 2 жыл бұрын
In motion charging trolleybuses/hybrid trolleybuses that re in central and eastern europe re even more ahead than DPRK public transport.
@sannidhyabalkote9536 2 жыл бұрын
@@antonnovotny4499 yes Only someone could've explained this to the Moscow mayor 🥲
@antonnovotny4499 2 жыл бұрын
@@sannidhyabalkote9536 In Russia everything is possible for politicians, even calling the ocupation of ČSSR in 1968 the liberation.
@liliya_aseeva 2 жыл бұрын
@@sannidhyabalkote9536 The difference is in petrol reserves. If petrol is cheaper than industrial grade electricity and network maintenance, buses will prevail. But DPRK has no oil industry (despite discovering oil reserves recently). So it makes electric transport more viable.
@sannidhyabalkote9536 2 жыл бұрын
@@liliya_aseeva they replaced them with battery buses.... Because of versatility
@SgtWilliamPepper 2 жыл бұрын
Most, or all (i don't know exactly) of the Tatra T4D are from my home Town. They are all unmodernised Trams, build before 1984.
@danieleregoli812 2 жыл бұрын
....very surprised you are not mentioning the old Volvo taxis!!
@vladilenkalatschev4915 2 жыл бұрын
Lovely beautiful city
@ktf8 2 жыл бұрын
What is the background song, it sound really fantastic and affinity
@richardbatschmann1901 Жыл бұрын
The green trams are old trams frpm Zurich, Switzerland.
@Brick-Life 2 жыл бұрын
It will be funny to say you are riding Air Koryo but actually riding their taxis while drinking Air Koryo branded soft drinks
@robertsilva8097 2 жыл бұрын
Hello To Everyone From California USA
@icreatedanaccountforthis1852 Жыл бұрын
I liked it when he talked about Pysongyang pbulic transport.
@zapfanzapfan 2 жыл бұрын
How do they pay? Tokens, paper tickets, cards with magnetic strips or rfid?
@antoniojoseflorenciodesouz2884 2 жыл бұрын
NORTH KOREA IS BEAUTIFULL CITY
@kraig800i 2 жыл бұрын
Hmmmm I'm wondering how money and transportation works in the DPRK in general as well as in Pyongyang specifically. Is any of it subsidized or is most of it subsidized? If money passes hands per journey, what is the average cost of say a mile distance in each of the different forms of transport ? ? ?
@kevanhubbard9673 2 жыл бұрын
Doesn't seem to be a diesel bus network for places not under the wire?What of suburban heavy rail and ferries? Although I think that I did spot a diesel bus at the end going around that corner.
@robertsilva1016 2 жыл бұрын
Hello To Everyone
@jaykay9034 Жыл бұрын
This video makes me want to move to Pyongyang
@martinwalker8569 2 жыл бұрын
newest tram is acctualy rebuild T8 (tatra8) from Prague CKD
@enthusiastisch1922 2 жыл бұрын
Line 3 has changed its route via the new housing area.
@DPRKExplained 2 жыл бұрын
Ah the expansion of Pyongyang makes it tricky to stay up to date! I bet they'll open new routes to Hwasong and Songhwa once those developments are up and running too!
@nikodzepina2876 2 жыл бұрын
Oh, so many second hand Tatra trams 😍
@w4rlord117 2 жыл бұрын
I noticed no transport service goes to Sunan Airport. For people flying in and out of the city would they be basically forced to use a taxi, or is there some other means of getting from the airport to the city?
@DPRKExplained 2 жыл бұрын
There's a Korean State Railway line that runs through Sunan, also there is a network of typical motor buses that I haven't covered here (just because of it's extent) and so I believe there is a route which covers Sunan
@kc3302 2 жыл бұрын
All tourists are on organised tours which arrange pickups using buses or minibuses. Are normal residents even allowed to travel outside the country? Very, very few would be able to afford to do so anyway.
@w4rlord117 2 жыл бұрын
@@kc3302 I’ve seen on videos of Air Koryo flights plenty of locals, the flights are certainly not 100% tourists. I can’t say who these people are or what they do in other countries but they are traveling outside the DPRK.
@dprkmusictranslated424 2 жыл бұрын
@@kc3302 In fact yes, Chinese custom data (which is publicly available) showed over 20000 people from the DPRK entered the country in 2019. Not that much relatively, but they can go, especially for trade
@Vixen1525 Жыл бұрын
I wonder where the sources of all this videos are coming from.
@no_one2197 10 ай бұрын
I'm so glad I found this channel. A bit sad so many westerners couldn't care less about learning about any other country besides their own let alone NK.
@jonarthritiskwanhc 2 жыл бұрын
10:10 I noticed that there are lots of minibuses and minivans throughout the video. Are they public transport or private vehicles?
@DPRKExplained 2 жыл бұрын
I believe some are taxis, others are private vehicles. Not sure there is a consistent throughline
@k.chvastekova Жыл бұрын
Pyongyang has better public trainsportatio that most of US cities
@vuurniacsquarewave5091 Жыл бұрын
Crazy to think that the same Ikarus buses and Tatra trams are still running in Hungary.
@avigdonable 2 жыл бұрын
6:00 hybrid service vehicle/public trolleybus.
@kc3302 2 жыл бұрын
Well spotted!
@sannidhyabalkote9536 2 жыл бұрын
Better public transit then LA 😂
@c.b.fiskekatten4214 2 жыл бұрын
please upload the background music. Thank you
@crystaluwu1012 11 ай бұрын
Damn their tram system is actually really long, covering almost the entirety of the city, no wonder people would prefer public transport (cheaper, more convenient and theirs alot of them to chose from, easier access...)
@Ikarus26025 2 жыл бұрын
Ikarus 260T and Ikarus 280T Trolleybuses service Running is Pyongyang?
@goclunker Жыл бұрын
This is like watching a video from some alternate universe
@TheKauan08 Жыл бұрын
How much does it coast?
@wyattwilbourne530 2 жыл бұрын
I wish I could find telegram groups or something that showed off the DPRK more, or gave more information into their history/ideology
@liliya_aseeva 2 жыл бұрын
consider reaching the embassy in your country and they usually gladly provide email news subscription. If you live in USA you can reach to DPRK embassy in UK
@fork-centraldaseleicoes3729 2 жыл бұрын
How about normal buses, tho?
@Aninkovsky 2 жыл бұрын
DPRK rail network please
@Eternal23Studios Жыл бұрын
really reminds me of jay foreman..
@unovox 2 жыл бұрын
I love all the old trams and trolley buses.......please don't get rid of them. We miss them in America 😕
@chrism1102 Ай бұрын
This system of public transport wouldn't work in American or Canadian cities because most people don't want to live in high-rise apartment buildings. We prefer detached houses. That creates urban sprawl. Hence the need for cars. I don't see anyway around private automobile ownership here. I would love public transit options but it's just not feasible for us.
@redhongkong Жыл бұрын
2:50 Electric bike oO
@Crustenscharbap 2 жыл бұрын
Its very interesting that these are exactly the same tram models wich driven in Berlin in the GDR to the year 2015. Maybe Berlin sold this trams? When I see this video. It looks more free than the GDR. Look there are imported cars. They weren't in the GDR.
@professormicron6470 2 жыл бұрын
All of Pyongyang subway cars have been imported from Berlin, so it isn't unlikely some trams came from there as well. Would be hard to confirm it though
@Crustenscharbap 2 жыл бұрын
@@professormicron6470 Yes. Its true. Interesting is that Pyongyang imported the Western-Berlin Subway Cars. Not the GDR ones. But the Tatra Trams were great and had very less problems. Yes it also could be that Berlin sold the Tatra Trams so Pyongyang.
@randomroblox2430 Жыл бұрын
When Pyongyang has way better transportation system than Manila:
@Thursdaym2 Жыл бұрын
Like something from 80 years ago.
@jimihendrix991 Жыл бұрын
...no normal buses? 😮
@s9ka972 2 жыл бұрын
Am the only one who felt pyongyang looks like Beijing / Shanghai shown in vintage Hollywood movies .
@davidpomeroy7594 2 жыл бұрын
Wow I can’t wait to ride the metro in where is this again??? NORTH KOREA!!!???