Trolley Buses in Wolverhampton

I am of an age when I remember trolley buses in Wolverhampton the first time. I say the first time because I am hopeful that there may be a second time.

In the 1960s it was not a perfect system because if a driver took a bend a little wider than was necessary, then often the bus became detached from the electric wires above. On occasion a pile of passengers could be seen pushing the bus back into realignment. Or a member of staff would appear with a long pole to reconnect the bus to the wires above. All in all this could be quite a spectacular sight.

However this was a climate change sensitive system that was much loved by the residents of Wolverhampton. Especially as these buses were built in the town.

Climate change was not discussed in the early 1960s but for sure pollution was, so it seems a tragedy that this system was dismantled in 1967 in Wolverhampton, to be replaced by the diesel bus.

By 1929 Wolverhampton had the largest trolley bus system in the world with 36 million passengers taking advantage of the service.

Looking over the pond what do we see? If we look at the USA today as an example of a country that still uses trolleybuses in five cities, to see how they are using this electrified bus system in the modern age.

Boston

Trolleybuses commenced in 1936. Boston has four routes today operated by Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. An additional service was introduced in 2004 which is a bus rapid transit service using dual-mode buses which run as trolley buses in the Waterfront tunnel in Boston.

San Francisco

Commenced its trolleybus service in 1935. It currently comprises 15 lines and operates 300 trolleybuses. San Francisco operates the second largest trolley bus system in the Western Hemisphere. San Francisco also has the single steepest known grade of any trolleybus system in the world. This city has a new municipal fleet of trolleybuses with very quiet motors. Powerful batteries on these trolleybuses allow them to travel several miles if they become detached from the overhead wires with a good record for reliability.

Philadelphia

Started in 1923 it’s trolleybus service. It currently operates 38 trolleybuses and these have once again the ability to travel several miles without any connectivity to the wires.

Seattle

Has the second largest system in the USA and the local community has a great affection for this mode of transport. It started in 1937 and being a hilly area is well suited to trolley buses. In the 1970s and circa 2010 the public fought hard to keep Seattle a trolleybus town. These Seattle trolleybuses are able  to operate for three miles without connectivity to the wires and their is a chance that in the future Seattle will be extending this form of transport.

Dayton, Ohio

Started using Trolleybuses in 1933 and is the smallest USA city using trolleybuses.These buses are able to run for 20km if they become detached from the wires.

So Wolverhampton should enjoy a second coming of the trolleybus because:

Energy efficient and climate change sensitive.

A quiet ride for the passenger.

New construction of buses and overhead wires to provide employment and opportunities for many if they were able to manufacture the wires and buses in Wolverhampton ( like they used to).

Wolverhampton would be at the vanguard of a transport revolution in the U.K.

New buses no longer cause a problem if they are detached from the wires as they are able to transport themselves back to the depot.