The first L&K public buses in Bohemia

This year the Czech Republic are celebrating the 100th anniversary of public bus services. Two lines, Pardubice-Holice and Pardubice-Bohdane?, were launched in May 1908 and Skoda Auto, or rather Laurin & Klement at that time, provided its HOP omnibuses to the service operator.

The very first regular bus service was launched a few weeks earlier in Prague. From March 1908, Laurin & Klement omnibuses started their route at Lesser Town Square (Malostranské nám?stí), went up Nerudova Street to Prague Castle and then to Poho?elec. From 1 May 1908 the line was extended to include the Charles Bridge and K?ížovnické Square. Laurin & Klement omnibuses were tested in Prague from 1907.

The names of the vehicles referred to the purpose for which the first model of a particular type was produced. For example, HOP was a type H omnibus intended for Prague. However, every vehicle was a customised original.