Trolleybuses in Milan
Encyclopedia
The Milan trolleybus system forms part of the public transport
network of the city and comune
of Milan
, in the region
of Lombardy
, northern Italy
. In operation since 1933, the system presently comprises four routes.
).
In subsequent decades, the system developed rapidly, with the opening of radial and tangential routes. The new external circular route (originally CE (circolare esterna), now 90/91) was built as a trolleybus line.
In the mid-1970s, it was intended to transform the 90/91 circular route into a light rail line
, and abandon the rest of the trolleybus network. Many trolleybus routes were therefore converted into bus routes, and their overhead wires were removed.
The routes that were abandoned in the 1970s and 1980s were:
In subsequent years, following the abandonment of the proposal for the 90/91 tram line, there were no more interventions on the system, except for some limited changes to the routes.
Currently, efforts are focused on reducing journey times, with the construction of dedicated lanes. Plans for the extension of the system have never climbed above the status of mere proposals.
The first depot is located in Viale Molise, east of the city. This depot accommodates about 70 trolleybuses and 40 articulated trolleybuses. The second depot is in the west of the city, and more specifically in Via Novara. It hosts about 40 articulated trolleybuses.
Both depots are used not only for the storage of trolley buses, but also for diesel powered buses. In contrast with the depots used solely for diesel buses, these depots are fully covered, for the better safeguarding of the fleet.
This article is based upon a translation of the Italian language version as at March 2011.
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 Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
, 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 Lombardy
Lombardy
Lombardy is one of the 20 regions of Italy. The capital is Milan. One-sixth of Italy's population lives in Lombardy and about one fifth of Italy's GDP is produced in this region, making it the most populous and richest region in the country and one of the richest in the whole of Europe...
, 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 1933, the system presently comprises four routes.
History
A trolleybus system was established in Milan in 1933, with the opening of the short route 81 (Piazza Spotorno – Piazza DerganoDergano
Dergano is a district of Milan, Italy. It is an area located within Zona 9 of the city.-See also:*Dergano...
).
In subsequent decades, the system developed rapidly, with the opening of radial and tangential routes. The new external circular route (originally CE (circolare esterna), now 90/91) was built as a trolleybus line.
In the mid-1970s, it was intended to transform the 90/91 circular route into a light rail line
Light rail
Light rail or light rail transit is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems...
, and abandon the rest of the trolleybus network. Many trolleybus routes were therefore converted into bus routes, and their overhead wires were removed.
The routes that were abandoned in the 1970s and 1980s were:
- 81 and 82 (closed 27 September 1976);
- 83 and MB (closed 25 October 1976);
- 95 (closed 20 September 1977);
- 96/97 (closed 5 March 1979);
- 84 (closed 6 February 1984).
In subsequent years, following the abandonment of the proposal for the 90/91 tram line, there were no more interventions on the system, except for some limited changes to the routes.
Currently, efforts are focused on reducing journey times, with the construction of dedicated lanes. Plans for the extension of the system have never climbed above the status of mere proposals.
Services
The four routes comprising the present Milan trolleybus system are:- 90 circular right (Viale Isonzo - Lotto M1 - Viale Isonzo);
- 91 circular left (Viale Isonzo - Lotto M1 - Viale Isonzo);
- 92 Viale Isonzo - Bovisa FN;
- 93 Viale Omero - Lambrate M2.
Fleet
Milan's current trolleybus fleet is as follows:- 70 SocimiSocimiSocietà Costruzioni Industriali Milano, better known as Socimi, was an Italian manufacturing company based in Milan. It was a manufacturer of trams, metro trains; traction motors for these and for trolleybuses; and bodies for motorbuses and trolleybuses...
trolleybusTrolleybusA 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...
es on Iveco chassis 2470 (nos. 901-970), many of which were sold during the course of 2008/2009 for dismantling or to be sent abroad (ATM sold 23 vehicles to Ruse in BulgariaBulgariaBulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
); - 33 SocimiSocimiSocietà Costruzioni Industriali Milano, better known as Socimi, was an Italian manufacturing company based in Milan. It was a manufacturer of trams, metro trains; traction motors for these and for trolleybuses; and bodies for motorbuses and trolleybuses...
articulated trolleybusesArticulated 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...
on Iveco chassis 2480 (nos. 100-132); - 33 Bredabus articulated trolleybuses 4001 (Az 200-232);
- 8 Autodromo BusOtto articulated trolleybuses on MAN chassis (nos. 300-307);
- 10 IrisbusIrisbusIrisbus is a bus manufacturer which was formed through the merger of the bus and coach divisions of Fiat Industrial, Iveco and Renault in January 1999 and Ikarus Bus in late 1999...
Cristalis articulated trolleybuses (nos. 400-409); - 30 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 articulated trolleybuses (nos. 700-729).
Depots
There are presently two large trolleybus depots in Milan.The first depot is located in Viale Molise, east of the city. This depot accommodates about 70 trolleybuses and 40 articulated trolleybuses. The second depot is in the west of the city, and more specifically in Via Novara. It hosts about 40 articulated trolleybuses.
Both depots are used not only for the storage of trolley buses, but also for diesel powered buses. In contrast with the depots used solely for diesel buses, these depots are fully covered, for the better safeguarding of the fleet.
See also
- Trams in MilanTrams in MilanThe Milan tramway network is an important part of the public transport network of the city and comune of Milan, in the region of Lombardy, northern Italy.In operation since 1876, the network is presently about long...
- Metropolitana di Milano
- List of trolleybus systems in Italy
External links
- Images of the Milan trolleybus system, at photorail.com
- Images of the Milan trolleybus system, at railfaneurope.net
This article is based upon a translation of the Italian language version as at March 2011.