Trolleybuses in Rome
Encyclopedia
The Rome trolleybus
system forms part of the public transport
network of the city and comune
of Rome
, Italy
. In operation since 2005, the current system comprises a single route, with both a normal and an express service. Extensions to the current system are planned, so as to electrify certain bus routes presently operated by conventional buses.
From 1937 to 1972, Rome was served by a much more extensive trolleybus system, which was then the largest in Italy and one of the largest in Europe.
Following the suspension of trolleybus services due to World War II
, the system was restored and expanded during the post-war era, reaching its maximum length of 137 km in 1957.
In the 1960s, the trolleybus system (as well as Rome's tram network) was considered outdated and costly to maintain. The trolleybus routes were therefore rapidly replaced by conventional buses.
On 2 July 1972, operations ceased on the last surviving trolleybus route of the original system, no. 47 (Porto di Ripetta - Santa Maria della Pietà).
. The administration implemented that decision by improving the tram network, and by reintroducing trolleybuses on the most popular bus routes.
On 23 March 2005, trolleybuses took over the operation of route 90 Express, and on 1 December 2008, the route 90D Express was established.
The central section of the route, from Termini station to Porta Pia
, is not electrified by overhead wires, as it was considered that the two-wire overhead lines would have disfigured the city centre streets. On that part of the route, the trolleybuses are powered by onboard batteries, which are automatically recharged along the sections where wires are provided.
The trolleybuses to be used on the new routes will be 45 examples of BredaMenarinibus's Avancity S model, which is 18 m long. In some sections, overhead wires will not be installed, so the trolleybuses will be powered by diesel-electric motors.
The work was entrusted, after public tender, to a temporary joint venture made up of De Sanctis Costruzioni SpA, Monaco SpA, Azienda Trasporti Milanesi SpA and CIEG Engineering Srl. It is being funded by the government of Italy (65%), the comune of Rome (24%), and the province of Lazio (11%). The cost is forecast at 163 million euro.
The project also includes the creation of street furniture (such as benches and shelters) and the installation of traffic lights giving preference to the trolleybuses. According to an official announcement made in June 2010, the work will end in December 2012.
es, manufactured by Solaris Bus & Coach
of Poland, with electrical equipment supplied by Škoda Electric
(formerly known as Ganz Transelektro
).
The Trollinos are 18 metre long, 2550 millimetre wide, and 3490 millimetre high. They are fitted with a battery system to enable operation over the unwired section from Termini station to Porta Pia.
This article is based upon a translation of the Italian language version as at March 2011.
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 of the city and comune
Comune
In Italy, the comune is the basic administrative division, and may be properly approximated in casual speech by the English word township or municipality.-Importance and function:...
of Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. In operation since 2005, the current system comprises a single route, with both a normal and an express service. Extensions to the current system are planned, so as to electrify certain bus routes presently operated by conventional buses.
From 1937 to 1972, Rome was served by a much more extensive trolleybus system, which was then the largest in Italy and one of the largest in Europe.
The first trolleybus system (1937-1972)
The first route of Rome's original trolleybus system was inaugurated on 8 January 1937. In later years, that system was greatly expanded at the expense of conventional buses, which were regarded at the time as slow and uncomfortableFollowing the suspension of trolleybus services due to 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...
, the system was restored and expanded during the post-war era, reaching its maximum length of 137 km in 1957.
In the 1960s, the trolleybus system (as well as Rome's tram network) was considered outdated and costly to maintain. The trolleybus routes were therefore rapidly replaced by conventional buses.
On 2 July 1972, operations ceased on the last surviving trolleybus route of the original system, no. 47 (Porto di Ripetta - Santa Maria della Pietà).
The current system (since 2005)
In the early 2000s, Rome's municipal administration decided to reduce car traffic and air pollution by strengthening urban public transport in central Rome, and particularly those forms of public transport powered by electric tractionElectric motor
An electric motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.Most electric motors operate through the interaction of magnetic fields and current-carrying conductors to generate force...
. The administration implemented that decision by improving the tram network, and by reintroducing trolleybuses on the most popular bus routes.
On 23 March 2005, trolleybuses took over the operation of route 90 Express, and on 1 December 2008, the route 90D Express was established.
Services
The two services operating on Rome's current trolleybus route are:- 90 Express Termini stationRoma Termini railway stationRoma Termini is the main train station of Rome. It is named after the district of the same name, which in turn took its name from ancient Baths of Diocletian , which lie across the street from the main entrance.-Overview:The station has regular train services to all major Italian cities as well...
↔ Largo F. Labia (11.5 km (7 mi)); - 90D Express Termini Station ↔ Largo Pugliese (8 km (5 mi)).
The central section of the route, from Termini station to Porta Pia
Porta Pia
Porta Pia is a gate in the Aurelian Walls of Rome, Italy. One of Pope Pius IV's civic improvements to the city, it is named after him. Situated at the end of a new street, the Via Pia, it was designed by Michelangelo in replacement for the Porta Nomentana situated several hundred meters...
, is not electrified by overhead wires, as it was considered that the two-wire overhead lines would have disfigured the city centre streets. On that part of the route, the trolleybuses are powered by onboard batteries, which are automatically recharged along the sections where wires are provided.
Routes under construction
Work is currently underway on an expansion of the Rome trolleybus system. The project, known as (English:corridors for public transport), involves the construction of exclusive lanes for the movement of trolleybuses along two routes:- Eur–Tor Pagnotta Laurentina–Trigoria, a total of 10.4 km (6 mi) in each direction;
- Eur–Tor de' Cenci, totalling 11.9 km (7 mi) in each direction.
The trolleybuses to be used on the new routes will be 45 examples of BredaMenarinibus's Avancity S model, which is 18 m long. In some sections, overhead wires will not be installed, so the trolleybuses will be powered by diesel-electric motors.
The work was entrusted, after public tender, to a temporary joint venture made up of De Sanctis Costruzioni SpA, Monaco SpA, Azienda Trasporti Milanesi SpA and CIEG Engineering Srl. It is being funded by the government of Italy (65%), the comune of Rome (24%), and the province of Lazio (11%). The cost is forecast at 163 million euro.
The project also includes the creation of street furniture (such as benches and shelters) and the installation of traffic lights giving preference to the trolleybuses. According to an official announcement made in June 2010, the work will end in December 2012.
Trolleybus fleet
The trolleybuses used for the operation of the present system are Solaris-Ganz Trollino articulated busArticulated bus
An 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...
es, manufactured by Solaris Bus & Coach
Solaris Bus & Coach
Solaris 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...
of Poland, with electrical equipment supplied by Škoda Electric
Škoda Works
Škoda Works was the largest industrial enterprise in Austro-Hungary and later in Czechoslovakia, one of its successor states. It was also one of the largest industrial conglomerates in Europe in the 20th century...
(formerly known as Ganz Transelektro
Ganz
The Ganz electric works in Budapest is probably best known for the manufacture of tramcars, but was also a pioneer in the application of three-phase alternating current to electric railways. Ganz also made / makes: ships , bridge steel structures , high voltage equipment...
).
The Trollinos are 18 metre long, 2550 millimetre wide, and 3490 millimetre high. They are fitted with a battery system to enable operation over the unwired section from Termini station to Porta Pia.
See also
- Trams in RomeRome TramThe current Rome tram system is a leftover from what once was the largest tram system in Italy. With its fragmented structure, it does not currently function as a backbone of the city's public transport...
- Metropolitana di Roma
- List of trolleybus systems in Italy
External links
This article is based upon a translation of the Italian language version as at March 2011.