Klub Miłośników Komunikacji Miejskiej w Warszawie

Klub Miłośników Komunikacji Miejskiej w Warszawie (KMKM Warszawa) is a Polish association of public transport enthusiasts founded in 1980 and based in Warsaw. It is dedicated to the promotion of public urban transport, the collection of memorabilia and historic vehicles, and cooperation with institutions and clubs in Poland and abroad. The club is headquartered at the Warsaw Public Transport Authority (Zarząd Transportu Miejskiego) building at ul. Grochowska 316/320. The club grew out of a small group of transport fans who first met on 11 April 1980 at the Ochota Social and Educational Centre, following a letter by Leszek Pohoryles published in the railway magazine "Sygnały". In January 1981 the Museum of Technology took patronage, meetings moved to the Palace of Culture and Science, and the first board was formed under Witold Jeleń. By late 1981 the club had about 60 members, and a Łódź branch emerged that later became the Klub Miłośników Starych Tramwajów w Łodzi. After martial law interrupted activities, the club resumed work and in 1995 came under the patronage of the newly created Zarząd Transportu Miejskiego. It was formally registered as an association on 26 April 2002. KMKM's most visible activity is its collection of historic rolling stock. Together with Tramwaje Warszawskie it restored tram car A no. 43 (1908) and car C no. 257. A 2001 award from the City of Warsaw funded the purchase and restoration of a Jelcz 272 MEX city bus, and the bus collection grew to 22 vehicles in 2019 and 32 in 2020. A landmark was the 2013 debut of the restored 1950 Chausson AH48 bus no. 395, bought from enthusiasts in Belgium and now one of Poland's most valuable motoring relics. The club also owns trolleybuses and works toward a Museum of Public Transport. The club operates heritage tourist lines, including tram line "T" (launched April 1996 for the 400th anniversary of Warsaw's capital status) and bus line "100" (revived in June 2018 after a nine-year suspension). It initiated Warsaw's first Noc Muzeów (Museum Night) in 2004 and organizes special lines for anniversaries and events. It cooperates with Miejskie Zakłady Autobusowe and Tramwaje Warszawskie and is supported by members and donors.

The origins of the Klub Miłośników Komunikacji Miejskiej w Warszawie date to 1980. After a letter by Leszek Pohoryles, later the club's first informal leader, was published in the railway magazine "Sygnały", a small group of transport enthusiasts gathered. Their first meeting took place on 11 April 1980 at the Social and Educational Centre in Ochota, and this date is regarded as the beginning of the club. In January 1981 the Museum of Technology took patronage over the club. Meetings were held in a room of the Palace of Culture and Science, where the first board was appointed, headed by Witold Jeleń. The club grew quickly to about 60 members, including many enthusiasts from Łódź. In October 1981 a Łódź offshoot was formed — initially as the Klub Miłośników Komunikacji Miejskiej w Łodzi, now the Klub Miłośników Starych Tramwajów w Łodzi. The imposition of martial law in December 1981 halted the group's activities for two months; afterwards the club operated with limited possibilities until the sanctions were lifted. After cooperation with the Museum of Technology and Motoring ended in 1995, patronage was taken over by the newly created Zarząd Transportu Miejskiego (Public Transport Authority) in Warsaw, in whose headquarters meetings were held for years afterward. On the initiative of secretary Jacek Piotr Cegiełka, and under president Dariusz Walczak, the club began formalizing its existence. On 26 April 2002 the club was entered into the associations register. Contact with the Zarząd Transportu Miejskiego and the growing capabilities of the enthusiast group led the club to create a collection of historic rolling stock. Together with Tramwaje Warszawskie it restored tram car A no. 43 from 1908 and car C no. 257. An award received in 2001 from the City of Warsaw enabled the purchase and restoration of a Jelcz 272 MEX city bus. In subsequent years the historic bus collection grew intensively — it numbered 22 buses in 2019 and began to number 32 buses in 2020. One of the most breakthrough events was the premiere run of the restored Chausson AH48 bus no. 395 from 1950 on 16 September 2013. The vehicle was first bought from enthusiasts in Belgium and then restored; it is now one of the most valuable motoring relics in Poland and unique even on a European scale. The historic bus and tram fleet has become part of the history and promotion of the City of Warsaw. The club's aims are to promote public urban transport, collect memorabilia and relics connected with public urban transport, and cooperate with institutions, societies and clubs dealing with public urban transport in Poland and abroad. The club also works toward the creation of a Museum of Public Transport. Planned work includes the renovation of an Ikarus 620, the revival of a Saurer 4TIILM trolleybus with a trailer, and the renovation of one of the type K tram cars. Among the club's events, the tram line "T" was launched in April 1996 on the initiative of club members to mark the 400th anniversary of Warsaw's capital status. Type A and type C cars ran from Narutowicza Square. Initially intended as a one-off event, high passenger interest led the city authorities to extend its operation. In later years the line started from Narutowicza Square, except in 1997 and 2003 when it terminated at Starynkiewicza Square. A type K car joined the service in 1997. Today the line is operated by most of Tramwaje Warszawskie's historic fleet on a rotating basis and is a symbol of Warsaw's tourist map. In June 2018, through cooperation between the club and the Zarząd Transportu Miejskiego, bus line "100" returned to the streets after a nine-year suspension, operated by a Jelcz 043 and an Ikarus 260 from the association's fleet. The reactivation was very successful, and the line ran again in the 2019 season with Jelcz 272 MEX and Jelcz PR110 buses. Besides seasonal tourist lines, the club runs special lines for various occasions, anniversaries and events. The first Noc Muzeów (Museum Night) was organized in 2004 on the initiative of the club. The terminus of museum bus line "M" was in the Old Town, served by Jelcz 272 MEX no. 1983 and Jelcz 043 no. 8081. From the following year the terminus was at Bankowy Square. In 2006 Noc Muzeów was combined with the preceding Zlot Ogórków, now the International Historic Bus Rally. In 2007 a museum tram line, also marked "M", joined the event, and Tramwaje Warszawskie organized the first "Museum on Rails" at the Narutowicza Square tram terminus. From 2012 the museum bus lines' terminus has been at Defilad Square. During the 2018 edition, lines A, K and P were served by a total of 38 buses from various parts of Poland, and the event enjoyed a record number of visitors and passengers.

• 2020

  Historic bus collection begins to number 32 vehicles.

• 2019

  Historic bus collection numbers 22 vehicles.

• 2018

  Bus line "100" revived after nine-year suspension.

• 2013

  Premiere run of restored 1950 Chausson AH48 bus no. 395.

• 2012

  Museum bus lines' terminus moved to Defilad Square.

• 2007

  Museum tram line "M" joins Noc Muzeów; first "Museum on Rails" organized.

• 2006

  Noc Muzeów combined with the Zlot Ogórków, now the International Historic Bus Rally.

• 2004

  First Noc Muzeów (Museum Night) organized on the club's initiative.

• 2002

  Club entered into the associations register.

• 2001

  Award from the City of Warsaw funds purchase and restoration of Jelcz 272 MEX bus.

• 1996

  Tram line "T" launched for the 400th anniversary of Warsaw's capital status.

• 1995

  Zarząd Transportu Miejskiego takes patronage after Museum of Technology cooperation ends.

• 1981

  Museum of Technology takes patronage; first board formed under Witold Jeleń.

• 1981

  Łódź offshoot formed, later Klub Miłośników Starych Tramwajów w Łodzi.

• 1980

  First meeting of transport enthusiasts in Ochota, regarded as the club's founding.

A non-profit enthusiast association preserving Warsaw's public transport heritage and promoting urban transit through historic vehicle collections and tourist lines.

• Tram line "T"

  Seasonal heritage tram line launched in April 1996, operated by historic trams from Narutowicza Square.

• Bus line "100"

  Heritage bus line revived in June 2018 after nine years, operated by Jelcz and Ikarus buses.

• Noc Muzeów museum lines

  Museum bus and tram lines "M" organized since 2004 during Warsaw's Museum Night.

• Chausson AH48 no. 395 (1950)

  Restored historic bus, one of Poland's most valuable motoring relics, debuted 16 September 2013.

• Jelcz 272 MEX

  Historic city bus purchased and restored with funds from a 2001 City of Warsaw award.

• Tram car A no. 43 (1908)

  Historic tram restored together with Tramwaje Warszawskie.

1. 1Klub Miłośników Komunikacji Miejskiej w Warszawie – official websitekmkm.waw.pl
2. 2Klub Miłośników Komunikacji Miejskiej – Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Klub Miłośników Komunikacji Miejskiej w Warszawie – Wikipedia (Polish)pl.wikipedia.org