Trolleybuses in Bologna
Encyclopedia
The Bologna trolleybus
system forms part of the public transport
network of the city and comune
of Bologna
, in the region
of Emilia-Romagna
, northern Italy
. In operation since 1990, the current system comprises three urban routes, and a fourth route is presently under construction.
Bologna has had two earlier trolleybus systems. The first one opened in 1940 and lasted only until 1945.
The second earlier system, which was more extensive than the present one, opened in 1955 and was closed in 1982. At the time of its maximum extent in the 1960s and 1970s, it had a total of six routes.
.
The second trolleybus system was activated in 1955, in anticipation of the total replacement of trams (which were completely eliminated in 1963). However, the second system never reached a large extent, always remaining a minor network compared to the diesel powered bus network.
At the time of its maximum extent (in the 1960s and 1970s), the second system was composed of two circular and four radial lines:
Line 42, with an outlying terminus outside Casalecchio di Reno
, was the only one to exit the municipal area; it provided a service that was integrated with the Casalecchio–Vignola railway.
The radial lines had reversing loops at intermediate points on the route:
As in other Italian cities, the trolleybus system experienced a decline in the second half of the 1970s, with the phasing out of the lines (transformed into bus lines) until the close of the last one (line 42) on 16 September 1982.
The overhead wires, however, were not dismantled, and that facilitated their subsequent refurbishment, which led, in 1990, to the inauguration of the new line 13, a radial line from Borgo Panigale to San Ruffillo. Line 13 resulted from the union of the old lines 41 and 46, with some changes in the central part of the route. The first services on the new line began on 3 January 1991.
On 14 October 2002, the activation of line 13 was followed by the reactivation of the circular lines 32 and 33.
A fourth line, not yet in service, is already largely complete:
Currently, all lines in service are equipped with special devices located on the same remote to transmit a "wire fall or break alarm" resulting in a precautionary tripping of power switches. It is also planned to raise the line voltage from 650 to 750V.
The line was initially powered by five electrical transformer substations (Borgo Panigale, Tofane, Avesella, Carducci, Murri). In 2005, the Avesella substation was dismantled (due to its incompatibility with the urban electrical network), and the electrical sections Timavo–centro and centro–Porta Santo Stefano were combined into a single Timavo–Porta Santo Stefano section.
Since 2004, work began on the extension of the line towards Via Pavese, with the consequent San Ruffillo terminus from Ponte Savena to Via Pavese, and the construction of a new electrical substation at Via Pavese to engergise of the extension. The work was completed during the first half of 2007, and the extension went into service on 13 September 2007, to coincide with the introduction of the new winter schedule.
A project for a further extension to Rastignano is under consideration.
The works were completed in 2006, but the line has not yet entered service. In the meantime, the planned line 14 had been extended, by the addition of two branches: 14A to the end of Via Due Madonne (depot) and 14C to the end of al Pilastro (as well as a third branch, 14B, for the Roveri industrial area, to operate only in the prime time morning rush).
Currently under construction is the extension of the overhead wires along the 14A branch, from Rotonda Paradisi to Via Due Madonne, where the line will reverse at a new roundabout at the intersection with Via Malvezzi. At the conclusion of the work, the line will be activated, keeping the diesel bus service on branches C and B.
Although not yet energised, line 14 is fed by five substations (Barca, Tofane, San Isaia, Carducci, Massarenti). Two additional substations in Via Madonna will feed the extension currently under construction.
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 Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
, in the region
Regions of Italy
The regions of Italy are the first-level administrative divisions of the state, constituting its first NUTS administrative level. There are twenty regions, of which five are constitutionally given a broader amount of autonomy granted by special statutes....
of Emilia-Romagna
Emilia-Romagna
Emilia–Romagna is an administrative region of Northern Italy comprising the two historic regions of Emilia and Romagna. The capital is Bologna; it has an area of and about 4.4 million inhabitants....
, northern Italy
Northeast Italy
Northeast Italy is one of the five official statistical regions of Italy used by the National Institute of Statistics , a first level NUTS region and a European Parliament constituency...
. In operation since 1990, the current system comprises three urban routes, and a fourth route is presently under construction.
Bologna has had two earlier trolleybus systems. The first one opened in 1940 and lasted only until 1945.
The second earlier system, which was more extensive than the present one, opened in 1955 and was closed in 1982. At the time of its maximum extent in the 1960s and 1970s, it had a total of six routes.
History
The first Bologna trolleybus system was activated in October 1940, to integrate with the tramway, as in many other Italian cities. This system, however, lasted only a few years until closed in 1945, due to the damage done to its infrastructure during World War IIWorld 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 second trolleybus system was activated in 1955, in anticipation of the total replacement of trams (which were completely eliminated in 1963). However, the second system never reached a large extent, always remaining a minor network compared to the diesel powered bus network.
At the time of its maximum extent (in the 1960s and 1970s), the second system was composed of two circular and four radial lines:
- 32 Circolare esterna destra (Right external circular);
- 33 Circolare esterna sinistra (Left external circular);
- 41 Via Lame - Villaggio INA Casa (Borgo PanigaleBorgo PanigaleBorgo Panigale is a quarter of Bologna, central Italy. Located in the city's western part, between the rivers Lavino and Reno, it had a population of 24,935 in 2009....
); - 42 Piazza Malpighi - Casalecchio;
- 43 Piazza MaggiorePiazza MaggiorePiazza Maggiore is a square in Bologna, Italy. It was created in its present appearance the 13th century.The square is surrounded by the Palazzo dei Notai, the Palazzo d'Accursio, the Palazzo del Podestà and the Basilica of San Petronio....
- Villaggio CEP (Quartiere Barca); - 46 Piazza Minghetti - San Ruffillo.
Line 42, with an outlying terminus outside Casalecchio di Reno
Casalecchio di Reno
Casalecchio di Reno is a town and comune of 32,877 inhabitants, situated in the Province of Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy.-History:...
, was the only one to exit the municipal area; it provided a service that was integrated with the Casalecchio–Vignola railway.
The radial lines had reversing loops at intermediate points on the route:
- on line 41 at Palasport, at Cinta Daziaria and at Borgo Panigale (Via della Salute);
- on line 42 at Croce di Casalecchio;
- on line 43 at Stadio;
- on line 46 at Chiesa Nuova and in Via della Direttissima.
As in other Italian cities, the trolleybus system experienced a decline in the second half of the 1970s, with the phasing out of the lines (transformed into bus lines) until the close of the last one (line 42) on 16 September 1982.
The overhead wires, however, were not dismantled, and that facilitated their subsequent refurbishment, which led, in 1990, to the inauguration of the new line 13, a radial line from Borgo Panigale to San Ruffillo. Line 13 resulted from the union of the old lines 41 and 46, with some changes in the central part of the route. The first services on the new line began on 3 January 1991.
On 14 October 2002, the activation of line 13 was followed by the reactivation of the circular lines 32 and 33.
Overview
The three routes comprising the present Bologna trolleybus system are:- 13 Borgo Panigale - centro (city centre) - San Ruffillo
- 32 Circolare destra (Right circular)
- 33 Circolare sinistra (Left circular)
A fourth line, not yet in service, is already largely complete:
- 14 (under construction) Piazza Giovanni XXIII - Due Madonne
Currently, all lines in service are equipped with special devices located on the same remote to transmit a "wire fall or break alarm" resulting in a precautionary tripping of power switches. It is also planned to raise the line voltage from 650 to 750V.
Line 13
This line was born from the union of the preceding lines 41 and 46 and was activated in 1990 on the route San Ruffillo (Ponte Savena) – Borgo Panigale (INA Normandia).The line was initially powered by five electrical transformer substations (Borgo Panigale, Tofane, Avesella, Carducci, Murri). In 2005, the Avesella substation was dismantled (due to its incompatibility with the urban electrical network), and the electrical sections Timavo–centro and centro–Porta Santo Stefano were combined into a single Timavo–Porta Santo Stefano section.
Since 2004, work began on the extension of the line towards Via Pavese, with the consequent San Ruffillo terminus from Ponte Savena to Via Pavese, and the construction of a new electrical substation at Via Pavese to engergise of the extension. The work was completed during the first half of 2007, and the extension went into service on 13 September 2007, to coincide with the introduction of the new winter schedule.
A project for a further extension to Rastignano is under consideration.
Lines 32 and 33
These two lines run along the ring boulevards, and represent the ATC's circular external network. They are electrically connected and are powered by two electric substations (San Isaia, Carducci).Line 14
This line stems from the transformation of radial line 43 (Barca) into a diametrical line, between the Barca district and the San Vitale district. It was built from scratch, following the removal of the trolleybus line between Piazza Malpighi and Rotonda Paradisi. At the design stage, the terminus was originally planned to be at Rotonda Paradisi, at the end of Via Massarenti.The works were completed in 2006, but the line has not yet entered service. In the meantime, the planned line 14 had been extended, by the addition of two branches: 14A to the end of Via Due Madonne (depot) and 14C to the end of al Pilastro (as well as a third branch, 14B, for the Roveri industrial area, to operate only in the prime time morning rush).
Currently under construction is the extension of the overhead wires along the 14A branch, from Rotonda Paradisi to Via Due Madonne, where the line will reverse at a new roundabout at the intersection with Via Malvezzi. At the conclusion of the work, the line will be activated, keeping the diesel bus service on branches C and B.
Although not yet energised, line 14 is fed by five substations (Barca, Tofane, San Isaia, Carducci, Massarenti). Two additional substations in Via Madonna will feed the extension currently under construction.
Trolleybus fleet
The Bologna trolleybus system is operated by the ATC, which currently has 45 trolleybuses:- 9 Menarini M220 LU (nos. 002-010), 12 metre, 20 seats, 75 standing places;
- 1 Breda 4001.12 (no. 011), 12 m, 20 seats, 75 standing places (last remaining of nos. 011-020);
- 20 CAM-MAN articulated trolleybusArticulated 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...
es 1st series (nos. 1021-1040), 36 seats, 108 standing places;
- 15 CAM-MAN articulated trolleybuses 2nd series (nos. 1041-1055), 37 seats, 102 standing places;
- 11 Solaris Trollino articulated trolleybuses (nos. 1056-1066).
See also
- Bologna Centrale railway station
- List of trolleybus systems in Italy