At the end of the 19th century rapid urbanisation took place in Zagreb. City fathers started discussing the idea of installing horsecar system in Zagreb. The construction of one gauge tram track began on 11 May 1891. Trams should have been put in service on 15 August 1891, on the opening day of the Jubilee Economic-Forestry Exhibition. Due to vehicle delivery delay, however, the tram was instead put in service on 5 September 1891. That day was officially taken as the beginning of organised public transit system in Zagreb. The gauge was 0.76 m and track length was approximately .
