If you thought that electric vehicles are a new fad invented to save the planet from ecological disaster, think again! Long before gas-guzzling motor cars blocked the roads and ruined city centres, electric transport – namely trams and trolley-buses – were in wide use. They still are in some cities, but the fabulous Museum in St Petersburg celebrates them in all their retro forms.
The museum has exhibits that go through the entire fascinating history of city transport, a real insight into the cultural and social history of this amazing city. The best bit though is that it is interactive – you can actually ride some of the retro vehicles. For example, the bright red tourist tram #1 (obviously) is a frequent site around the city – I often catch sight of it outside the mosque on Petrogradskaya. It’s probably because the tram leaves to a timetable from the museum at 10:00, 13:00, 16:00 on weekdays, and on the hour from 10:00 to 19:00 at weekends. Guests can sit on a wooden seat and enjoy gliding around the city, passing a host of sights en route. It’s a great way to see the city, and a far better experience than any hop-on, hop-off double-decker bus experience.