Trolleybuses in Genoa
Encyclopedia
The Genoa trolleybus
system forms part of the public transport
network of the city and comune
of Genoa
, in the region
of Liguria
, northern Italy
. In operation since 1997, the current system comprises two urban routes.
From 1938 to 1973, Genoa was served by a more extensive system, which reached a maximum length of 26.6 km (17 mi) and eight routes in 1964.
At the time of its greatest extent (1955), the first trolleybus system consisted of nine lines totalling 27 km. Its trolleybus routes served only the central areas of the city, as opposed to the tram network, which stretched across "Greater Genoa".
In subsequent years, the original system was gradually reduced, by replacing the trolleybus routes with bus routes, until its total closure on 10 June 1973.
After a few years of operation, the new trolleybus system was suspended, for the reconstruction of Piazza De Ferrari
, and for the establishment of a one-way street in Via Balbi, which required the diversion of the line on Via Gramsci, to the east. The trolleybus operations were reactivated on 13 February 2007.
On 5 May 2008, an extension towards the west up to Sampierdarena
entered service, thus converting route 20 into a trolleybus route.
Planned extensions of the system are from Brignole station to Molassana along the Val Bisagno, and from Nervi along Corso Europa.
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 Genoa
Genoa
Genoa |Ligurian]] Zena ; Latin and, archaically, English Genua) is a city and an important seaport in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria....
, 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 Liguria
Liguria
Liguria is a coastal region of north-western Italy, the third smallest of the Italian regions. Its capital is Genoa. It is a popular region with tourists for its beautiful beaches, picturesque little towns, and good food.-Geography:...
, northern Italy
Northwest Italy
Northwest 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 1997, the current system comprises two urban routes.
From 1938 to 1973, Genoa was served by a more extensive system, which reached a maximum length of 26.6 km (17 mi) and eight routes in 1964.
The first trolleybus system (1938-1973)
Genoa's first trolleybus system was activated on 13 April 1938, to complement the Genoa tram network and replace its steeper sections. On 30 January 1951, the trolley buses replaced the trams on the important uphill bypass.At the time of its greatest extent (1955), the first trolleybus system consisted of nine lines totalling 27 km. Its trolleybus routes served only the central areas of the city, as opposed to the tram network, which stretched across "Greater Genoa".
In subsequent years, the original system was gradually reduced, by replacing the trolleybus routes with bus routes, until its total closure on 10 June 1973.
The current system (since 1997)
Trolleybuses were reintroduced to Genoa on 26 June 1997, when route 30 was electrified between Foce and Via di Francia.After a few years of operation, the new trolleybus system was suspended, for the reconstruction of Piazza De Ferrari
Piazza De Ferrari (Genoa)
Piazza De Ferrari is the main square of Genoa.Situated in the heart of the city between the historical and the modern center, Piazza De Ferrari is renowned for its fountain, which was restored in recent years along with a major restyling of the square....
, and for the establishment of a one-way street in Via Balbi, which required the diversion of the line on Via Gramsci, to the east. The trolleybus operations were reactivated on 13 February 2007.
On 5 May 2008, an extension towards the west up to Sampierdarena
Sampierdarena
Sampierdarena is a major port and industrial area of Genoa, in northwest Italy. With San Teodoro it forms the West Central municipio.-Geography:...
entered service, thus converting route 20 into a trolleybus route.
Services
The two routes comprising the present Genoa trolleybus system are:- 20 Foce (Via Rimassa) - Sampierdarena (Piazza Vittorio VenetoVittorio VenetoVittorio Veneto is a city and comune situated in the Province of Treviso, in the region of Veneto, Italy, in the northeast of the Italian peninsula, between the Piave and the Livenza rivers.-Geography:...
); - 30 Brignole stationGenova Brignole railway stationGenova Brignole railway station is a major station of Genoa, northern Italy; it is located on Piazza Verdi in the town center at the foot of the Montesano hill. The main long distance station is Genova Piazza Principe station...
- Via di Francia (WTC).
Planned extensions of the system are from Brignole station to Molassana along the Val Bisagno, and from Nervi along Corso Europa.
Two axle vehicles
- Isotta Fraschini F1 (7 trolleybuses, Stanga bodies, nos 200-207 (from 1946: 2200-2206)), served from 1938 to 1965;
- Fiat 635 F (3 trolleybuses, Varesina bodies, nos 208-210 (from 1946: 2210)), served from 1939 to 1973;
- Alfa Romeo 500/F (3 trolleybuses, Stanga bodies, nos 211-213 (from 1946: 2211-2213)), served from 1939 to 1956;
- SPA 34C (1 trolleybus, U.I.T.E. body, no 199 (from 1946: 2219)), served from 1940 to 1973;
- Isotta Fraschini F2 (6 trolleybuses, Stanga bodies, nos 214-219 (from 1946: 2214-15; 2217-2219)), served from 1940 to 1965;
- Fiat 656 F (3 trolleybuses, Casaro bodies, nos 220-225 (from 1946: 2220-2224)), served from 1941 to 1965;
- Fiat 668 F (50 trolleybuses, various bodies, nos 2226-2275), served from 1950/53 to 1973;
- Lancia Esatau (2 trolleybuses, Piaggio bodies, nos 5001-5002), served from 1953 to 1963.
Three axle vehicles
- Breda (7 trolleybuses, Breda bodies, nos 300-306 (from 1946: 2303-2305)), served from 1939/40 to 1963;
- Alfa Romeo 110 AF (1 trolleybus, Casaro body, no 5176 (from 1946: 2311)), served from 1944 to 1963;
- Alfa Romeo 110 AF (5 trolleybuses, Piaggio bodies, nos 2312-2316), served from 1948/49 to 1972;
- Fiat 672 F (15 trolleybuses, Fiat bodies, nos 2321 to 2335), served from 1949/50 to 1973.
- Alfa Romeo 140 AF (15 trolleybuses, Piaggio bodies, nos 2351-2365), served from 1949/50 to 1973;
- Alfa Romeo 140 AF (15 trolleybuses, Bagnara bodies, nos 2366-2380), served from 1950/51 to 1973.
Current fleet
Genoa's present trolleybus fleet is made up of only the following two types:- Breda 4001.12 F15 (20 trolleybuses, Breda bodies, nos 2001-2020), entered service in 1997;
- Van HoolVan HoolVan Hool NV is a Belgian coachbuilder and manufacturer of buses, coaches, trolleybuses, and trailers.The company was founded in 1947 by Bernard van Hool in Koningshooikt, nearby Lier, Belgium. In the early years, the company introduced serial production and exported their products all over Europe...
AG300T (17 articulated trolleybuses, Van Hool bodies, nos 2101-2117), entered service in 2007/08.
See also
- Metropolitana di GenovaMetropolitana di GenovaThe Genoa Metro is a light metro consisting of a single line that connects the centre of Genoa, Italy with the suburb of Rivarolo Ligure, to the north-west of the city centre...
- List of trolleybus systems in Italy
External links
This article is based upon a translation of the Italian language version as at March 2011.