Oslo trolleybus
Encyclopedia
The Oslo trolleybus system was a trolleybus
network operated by Oslo Sporveier in Oslo
, Norway
between December 15, 1940, and February 15, 1968. The system measured at the most 26.1 km on four lines.
had got the Drammen trolleybus
, the first in Scandinavia
in 1909, Oslo had relied on the Oslo Tramway since 1875. But in 1927 Oslo Sporveier started their first bus route, and September 28, 1931, they sent an application for operation of a trolleybus in Oslo between Oslo and Grorud
. But the application met a lot of resistance. Schøyens Bilcentraler
route 30 went from Grorud to Skøyen
, and if Oslo Sporveier was to operate a route on the same line, they would have to pay compensation to Schøyens. To avoid this, Oslo Sporveier changed their applied terminus
to Majorstuen
. But while the City Council of Aker wanted the other solution, and was pressing Oslo Sporveier to go to Skøyen, and the Norwegian National Road Administration felt that if Oslo Sporveier wanted to build a trolleybus route to Grorud, they would have to pay for part of the upgrade of Trondheimsveien, a term not acceptable for the company.
After a one year trial run in Drammen in 1939 the first trolleybus route in Oslo opened in 1940. This was line 17, a 1.6 km feeding line at Rodeløkka
. This line only used one bus, that didn't run on Sundays so it could be maintained. Then came World War II
with fuel shortage, resulting in the trolleybus being quite popular, as Norway had ample electricity
. But there were other problems, including material shortage and the fear of the German forces
confiscating any copper
that would be used in the wires. But after the war the network was expanded onwards, with three new lines in 1946. The lines were constantly expanded until 1955 when the network was at its largest.
The end of the trolleybuses started in 1960 when the sale of cars in Norway was deregulated. This resulted in an enormous reduction in public transport
ridership, and the same year the Oslo City Council decided to close both the trolleybus and tramway networks. In 1961 the first line was decommissioned, followed by another the next year. Excess buses were sold to Drammen. The last lines were closed in 1968. The plan was to replace all the electrical powered tram and trolleybus routes with the diesel bus, a strategy that would prove fatal when the oil crisis (1973
and 1979
) hit in the 1970s. Unlike the trolleybus network, the Oslo Tramway still exists.
Trolleybus
A trolleybus is an electric bus that draws its electricity from overhead wires using spring-loaded trolley poles. Two wires and poles are required to complete the electrical circuit...
network operated by Oslo Sporveier in Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
between December 15, 1940, and February 15, 1968. The system measured at the most 26.1 km on four lines.
History
While DrammenDrammen
Drammen is a city in Buskerud County, Norway. The port and river city of Drammen is centrally located in the eastern and most populated part of Norway.-Location:...
had got the Drammen trolleybus
Drammen trolleybus
The Drammen trolleybus system was a system of trolleybuses in Drammen, Norway, which operated between 15 December 1909 and 10 June 1967. The system stretched from the city center to Brakerøya, Merket and Vårveien and was operated by the companies Drammens Elektriske Bane, A/S Trikken and Drammen...
, the first in Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
in 1909, Oslo had relied on the Oslo Tramway since 1875. But in 1927 Oslo Sporveier started their first bus route, and September 28, 1931, they sent an application for operation of a trolleybus in Oslo between Oslo and Grorud
Grorud
Grorud is a borough of the city of Oslo, Norway.The borough contains the Ammerud, Grorud, Kalbakken, Rødtvet, Nordtvet and Romsås areas. Traditionally a borough inhabited by the working class, Grorud has in the last few decades had a great influx of immigrants. 40% of the population are first or...
. But the application met a lot of resistance. Schøyens Bilcentraler
Schøyens Bilcentraler
Nobina Norge is a Norwegian bus company, owned by Nobina, that operates in the counties of Akershus, Hedmark, Hordaland, Oppland, Østfold and Vestfold.-History:...
route 30 went from Grorud to Skøyen
Skøyen
Skøyen is a neighborhood of Oslo, Norway. It is located in the western part of the city, in the borough of Ullern.The name "Skøyen" comes from Old Norse Skǫðin, of unknown etymology....
, and if Oslo Sporveier was to operate a route on the same line, they would have to pay compensation to Schøyens. To avoid this, Oslo Sporveier changed their applied terminus
Train station
A train station, also called a railroad station or railway station and often shortened to just station,"Station" is commonly understood to mean "train station" unless otherwise qualified. This is evident from dictionary entries e.g...
to Majorstuen
Majorstuen
Majorstuen is a neighbourhood in the Frogner borough in the western part of Oslo, Norway.Majorstuen is known for its vibrant downtown, especially its shopping area. The area has several elegant townhouses circa 1880-1890. The area is also an important public transport junction in Oslo, where all...
. But while the City Council of Aker wanted the other solution, and was pressing Oslo Sporveier to go to Skøyen, and the Norwegian National Road Administration felt that if Oslo Sporveier wanted to build a trolleybus route to Grorud, they would have to pay for part of the upgrade of Trondheimsveien, a term not acceptable for the company.
After a one year trial run in Drammen in 1939 the first trolleybus route in Oslo opened in 1940. This was line 17, a 1.6 km feeding line at Rodeløkka
Rodeløkka
Rodeløkka is a neighborhood in Grünerløkka in Oslo, Norway.From 1900 to 1961, it was served by the Rodeløkka Line of the Oslo Tramway.-The name:...
. This line only used one bus, that didn't run on Sundays so it could be maintained. Then came World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
with fuel shortage, resulting in the trolleybus being quite popular, as Norway had ample electricity
Electricity
Electricity is a general term encompassing a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. These include many easily recognizable phenomena, such as lightning, static electricity, and the flow of electrical current in an electrical wire...
. But there were other problems, including material shortage and the fear of the German forces
Operation Weserübung
Operation Weserübung was the code name for Germany's assault on Denmark and Norway during the Second World War and the opening operation of the Norwegian Campaign...
confiscating any copper
Copper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...
that would be used in the wires. But after the war the network was expanded onwards, with three new lines in 1946. The lines were constantly expanded until 1955 when the network was at its largest.
The end of the trolleybuses started in 1960 when the sale of cars in Norway was deregulated. This resulted in an enormous reduction in public transport
Public transport
Public transport is a shared passenger transportation service which is available for use by the general public, as distinct from modes such as taxicab, car pooling or hired buses which are not shared by strangers without private arrangement.Public transport modes include buses, trolleybuses, trams...
ridership, and the same year the Oslo City Council decided to close both the trolleybus and tramway networks. In 1961 the first line was decommissioned, followed by another the next year. Excess buses were sold to Drammen. The last lines were closed in 1968. The plan was to replace all the electrical powered tram and trolleybus routes with the diesel bus, a strategy that would prove fatal when the oil crisis (1973
1973 oil crisis
The 1973 oil crisis started in October 1973, when the members of Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries or the OAPEC proclaimed an oil embargo. This was "in response to the U.S. decision to re-supply the Israeli military" during the Yom Kippur war. It lasted until March 1974. With the...
and 1979
1979 energy crisis
The 1979 oil crisis in the United States occurred in the wake of the Iranian Revolution. Amid massive protests, the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, fled his country in early 1979 and the Ayatollah Khomeini soon became the new leader of Iran. Protests severely disrupted the Iranian oil...
) hit in the 1970s. Unlike the trolleybus network, the Oslo Tramway still exists.