Trolleybuses in Coimbra
Encyclopedia
The Coimbra trolleybus
system forms part of the public transport
network in the city of Coimbra
, Portugal
. Opened in 1947, it supplemented, and then eventually replaced, the Coimbra tramway network.
trolleybuses.
Initially, the trolleybus system only partially replaced Coimbra's tramway network, but after several decades of concurrent operations the latter was closed, in January 1980.
Until 1959, the Coimbra trolleybus system was the only one in Portugal. Since the closure of the Porto system in 1997, that has again been the case.
vehicles. Three more Sunbeam Park Royals joined the fleet in 1956.
Subsequent procurements included 10 BUT RETB/1s (four in 1958 and six in 1961), and six further Sunbeams in 1965.
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...
system forms part of the 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...
network in the city of Coimbra
Coimbra
Coimbra is a city in the municipality of Coimbra in Portugal. Although it served as the nation's capital during the High Middle Ages, it is better-known for its university, the University of Coimbra, which is one of the oldest in Europe and the oldest academic institution in the...
, Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
. Opened in 1947, it supplemented, and then eventually replaced, the Coimbra tramway network.
History
Trolleybus traffic was inaugurated in Coimbra on 16 August 1947 with two Saurer 3TPSaurer
Adolph Saurer AG was a Arbon, Switzerland , based manufacturer of trucks and buses, under the Saurer and Berna brand names, and active between 1903 and 1982....
trolleybuses.
Initially, the trolleybus system only partially replaced Coimbra's tramway network, but after several decades of concurrent operations the latter was closed, in January 1980.
Until 1959, the Coimbra trolleybus system was the only one in Portugal. Since the closure of the Porto system in 1997, that has again been the case.
Past fleet
The initial two member Saurer fleet was augmented in 1949. with the acquisition of six Sunbeam Park RoyalPark Royal Vehicles
Dating its origins back to 1889, Park Royal Vehicles along with its Leeds-based subsidiary Charles H. Roe was one of Britain's leading coachbuilders and bus manufacturers based at Park Royal, west London, UK.-Associated Commercial Vehicles:...
vehicles. Three more Sunbeam Park Royals joined the fleet in 1956.
Subsequent procurements included 10 BUT RETB/1s (four in 1958 and six in 1961), and six further Sunbeams in 1965.
Current fleet
Today, the Coimbra trolleybus fleet is as follows:- 10 conventional (two axle) CaetanoSalvador CaetanoGrupo Salvador Caetano, SGPS, SA is a Portuguese holding based in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal that controls some enterprises on vehicle assembly, components and distribution business....
/EFACECEFACECThe EFACEC Group is the largest Portuguese corporation in the field of electromechanics and electronics, with a strong presence in different international markets. It is headquartered in Matosinhos, Greater Porto area, Portugal. The José de Mello corporation owns about 50% of EFACEC's capital....
vehicles, built between 1984 and 1986;2 secondhand Caetano/EFACEC trolleybuses (one conventional, one articulatedArticulated busAn articulated bus is an articulated vehicle used in public transportation. It is usually a single-deck design, and comprises two rigid sections linked by a pivoting joint...
), acquired from the closed Porto system;1 conventional SolarisSolaris Bus & CoachSolaris Bus & Coach S.A. is a bus, coach and trolleybus manufacturer based in Bolechowo-Osiedle and Środa Wielkopolska, near Poznań, Poland.It is a family-owned business, with Krzysztof Olszewski as president and his wife Solange as chairman...
Trollino, delivered in 2009.