Trolleybuses in Naples
Encyclopedia
Trolleybuses in Naples provide a portion of the public transport
service in the city and comune
of Naples
, in the region
of Campania
, southern Italy
. Two independent trolleybus
systems are in operation, both publicly owned. That of Azienda Napoletana Mobilità
(ANM) opened in 1940, whereas the smaller trolleybus network of Compagnia Trasporti Pubblici di Napoli (CTP) opened in 1964. As of 2011, the ANM system has six routes and the CTP two. Worldwide, Naples is one of only two metropolitan areas possessing two independent trolleybus systems as of 2011, the other being São Paulo
, Brazil.
. At its maximum extent, the ATAN system had 31 trolleybus routes (albeit, counting many shortworkings and variations with overlapping sections). ATAN was reorganised in 1995 as the Azienda Napoletana Mobilità
(ANM).
The Tranvie Provinciali di Napoli (TPN), a separate company that operated suburban buses and a suburban tramway, opened the second trolleybus network in Naples on 21 January 1964(or 26 January), on a route connecting central Naples with Piazzale della Libertà in Secondigliano
. This unnumbered route was extended by several kilometres to Aversa
in 1967, after which time the TPN system was often referred to as the "Naples–Aversa" trolleybus system in transport publications. In 1978, TPN was reorganised as the Consorzio Trasporti Pubblici di Napoli (CTP), renamed in 2001 to Compagnia Trasporti Pubblici di Napoli (still CTP). The routes were given numbers in the early 1980s, the two routes at that time being M13 (Naples – Aversa) and M15 (Naples - Secondigliano/Rione 167). The M prefix stood for Maddalena depot (located on Viale Maddalena in Naples), TPN's/CTP's only depot/garage
for many years. That depot closed in 1999, and after two years of temporary accommodation in leased facilities, CTP's trolleybuses moved to Teverola depot in 2001, but the trolleybus routes retained their longstanding M prefix to avoid confusion among riders.
All of the overhead trolley wiring in central Naples is owned by ANM, the limit of the CTP-owned wiring being the southwest end of Via Don Bosco (just east of Piazza Carlo III). However, CTP trolleybuses are allowed to operate through to Piazza Garibaldi (along Corso Garibaldi), powered from ANM-owned wires, under a longstanding agreement between the two public agencies.
Route 255/, pronounced as 255-barrata (meaning 255-barrè in British English
, 255-slash
in American English
) (a short turn
service) is a temporary replacement for route 255, which connects Naples with Torre del Greco
. Since September 2009, service on route 255 has been temporarily suspended due to major road work in the town of Ercolano. Trolleybus service is temporarily cut back to Portici (Piazza San Ciro), as route 255-barrata, and the portion of route 255 between Portici and Torre del Greco is temporarily replaced by motorbus route 655. In Ercolano, route 255 passes the entrance to the ruins of the ancient city of Herculaneum
(in Italian simply Ercolano, the same as the present-day, inhabited city), on Corso Resina.
Route 203 is the newest route; it began operation on 2 September 2009. Routes 201 and 202 opened in 2004 and 2006, respectively. The three surviving suburban routes are much older; routes 254 and 255 opened in January 1962 and route 256 in May 1963.
Route M13 was extended from Aversa to Teverola in December 2001, and route M15 was withdrawn at that time. With a one-way length of approximately 22 km, route M13 is the longest trolleybus route in western Europe. Route M11 began operation in June 2005, but did not require any new wiring; its 2 km section closest to Piscinola metro station is not equipped with overhead wires, and the trolleybuses serving the route use their auxiliary diesel engines along that section, while the remainder of the route uses overhead wiring already in place for route M13.
These plans were already in place in 2005, along with plans to convert bus route C47 (Piazza G.B. Vico – Piazza Medaglie d'Oro) to trolleybuses, which in effect would have been a restoration of former trolleybus route 247 (closed in 1973), However, this plan for route C47 was cancelled in 2010. In the relatively recent past (in 2000), ANM also had plans to restore trolleybus routes 253 (Naples – Ercolano
) and 257 (Naples – Bellavista – Ercolano), which previously operated until the mid-1980s and from 1973–76, respectively, but whose disused wiring was retained for many years. However, those plans have been dropped, and the disused wiring was removed in 2004.
All 100 vehicles are equipped with diesel engines to allow limited operation away from the overhead wires.
ANM's fleet also includes one preserved historic trolleybus, a 1961-built Alfa Romeo
1000F trolleybus, No. 8021. ANM's modern, low-floor AnsaldoBreda trolleybuses began to enter service in October 2000, replacing Alfa Romeo vehicles, and the last of the latter were withdrawn in early March 2001. The agency preserved three of them (nos. 8021, 8038 and 8306). No. 8021 was fully restored to historic condition and livery in 2003. It is not used for normal service, but operates occasionally on special excursions, and on certain summer Sundays it runs in public service on a special city-centre-only loop route to promote awareness of public transport's positive role in helping to preserve the environment. The power supply of the ANM system was raised in 2001–03 from 600 Volt
s to 750V, but No. 8021's motors have not been modified to allow it to operate at the higher voltage. On days when the historic trolleybus is operated, the voltage of the entire trolleybus system must be temporarily reduced to 600V. The modern AnsaldoBreda vehicles are able to operate at either voltage.
CTP has several depots for its mostly motorbus fleet, but the only one equipped for trolleybuses is the Teverola depot, which was built in 1994 and since 2001 has been the outer terminus of route M13.
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...
service in 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 Naples
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
, 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 Campania
Campania
Campania is a region in southern Italy. The region has a population of around 5.8 million people, making it the second-most-populous region of Italy; its total area of 13,590 km² makes it the most densely populated region in the country...
, southern Italy
South Italy
South 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. South Italy encompasses six of the country's 20 regions:*Abruzzo...
. Two independent trolleybus
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...
systems are in operation, both publicly owned. That of Azienda Napoletana Mobilità
ANM (Naples)
Azienda Napoletana Mobilità SpA , more commonly known simply as ANM, is a municipally controlled public company that is the primary provider of surface public transportation in the city of Naples, Italy, and also provides a portion of the surface transit service in surrounding municipalities...
(ANM) opened in 1940, whereas the smaller trolleybus network of Compagnia Trasporti Pubblici di Napoli (CTP) opened in 1964. As of 2011, the ANM system has six routes and the CTP two. Worldwide, Naples is one of only two metropolitan areas possessing two independent trolleybus systems as of 2011, the other being São Paulo
Trolleybuses in São Paulo
Trolleybuses in São Paulo provide a portion of the public transport service in Greater São Paulo, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, with two independent trolleybus systems...
, Brazil.
History
The first trolleybus service in Naples was inaugurated on 8 May 1940 by Azienda Tranvie Autofilovie Napoli (English: Tramway-Trolleybus Company of Naples) (ATAN), which also operated the urban tram systemTrams in Naples
The Naples tramway network is located within the city and comune of Naples, in the region of Campania, southern Italy. In operation since 1875, the network has waxed and waned in size and vitality over the years, and is now growing once again...
. At its maximum extent, the ATAN system had 31 trolleybus routes (albeit, counting many shortworkings and variations with overlapping sections). ATAN was reorganised in 1995 as the Azienda Napoletana Mobilità
ANM (Naples)
Azienda Napoletana Mobilità SpA , more commonly known simply as ANM, is a municipally controlled public company that is the primary provider of surface public transportation in the city of Naples, Italy, and also provides a portion of the surface transit service in surrounding municipalities...
(ANM).
The Tranvie Provinciali di Napoli (TPN), a separate company that operated suburban buses and a suburban tramway, opened the second trolleybus network in Naples on 21 January 1964(or 26 January), on a route connecting central Naples with Piazzale della Libertà in Secondigliano
Secondigliano
Secondigliano is a relatively modern suburb in the north of Naples, in southern Italy.-History:The name may derive from a contraction of "secondo" and "miglio" since the area was at the second milestone on the old road to Capua...
. This unnumbered route was extended by several kilometres to Aversa
Aversa
Aversa is a town and comune in the Province of Caserta in Campania southern Italy, about 15 kilometres north of Naples. It is the centre of an agricultural district, the agro aversano, producing wine and cheese...
in 1967, after which time the TPN system was often referred to as the "Naples–Aversa" trolleybus system in transport publications. In 1978, TPN was reorganised as the Consorzio Trasporti Pubblici di Napoli (CTP), renamed in 2001 to Compagnia Trasporti Pubblici di Napoli (still CTP). The routes were given numbers in the early 1980s, the two routes at that time being M13 (Naples – Aversa) and M15 (Naples - Secondigliano/Rione 167). The M prefix stood for Maddalena depot (located on Viale Maddalena in Naples), TPN's/CTP's only depot/garage
Bus garage
A bus garage or bus depot is a building where buses are stored and maintained. In many conurbations, bus garages are on the site of former car barns or tram sheds, where Streetcars or Trams were stored, and the operation transferred to buses...
for many years. That depot closed in 1999, and after two years of temporary accommodation in leased facilities, CTP's trolleybuses moved to Teverola depot in 2001, but the trolleybus routes retained their longstanding M prefix to avoid confusion among riders.
All of the overhead trolley wiring in central Naples is owned by ANM, the limit of the CTP-owned wiring being the southwest end of Via Don Bosco (just east of Piazza Carlo III). However, CTP trolleybuses are allowed to operate through to Piazza Garibaldi (along Corso Garibaldi), powered from ANM-owned wires, under a longstanding agreement between the two public agencies.
Services
Five of the current eight trolleybus routes are suburban routes, connecting Naples with other municipalities, while the other three (routes 201–203) operate entirely within Napoli proper.ANM routes
As of 2010, the ANM system includes the following six trolleybus routes:- 201 Piazza Carlo III – Piazza Cavour – Via Medina/Piazza Municipio
- 202 Piazza G.B. Vico – Piazza Garibaldi – Via Medina
- 203 Parcheggio Brin – Piazza Cavour/Via Broggia
- 254 Napoli/Via Nicolini (Ponti Rossi) – PorticiPorticiPortici is a town and comune of the Province of Naples in the Campania region of southern Italy. It is the site of the Portici Royal Palace.-Geography:...
(Piazza Poli) (terminus known as Bellavista until 2001) - 255/ Napoli/Parcheggio Brin – Portici (Piazza San Ciro)
- 256 Napoli/Piazza Municipio – San Giorgio a CremanoSan Giorgio a CremanoSan Giorgio a Cremano is a primarily residential town and comune in the province of Naples, in the Campania region of southern Italy. It is located on the foothills of Mount Vesuvius to the west of the volcano, and is six kilometres to the south east of the centre of Naples...
Route 255/, pronounced as 255-barrata (meaning 255-barrè in British English
British English
British English, or English , is the broad term used to distinguish the forms of the English language used in the United Kingdom from forms used elsewhere...
, 255-slash
Slash (punctuation)
The slash is a sign used as a punctuation mark and for various other purposes. It is now often called a forward slash , and many other alternative names.-History:...
in American English
American English
American English is a set of dialects of the English language used mostly in the United States. Approximately two-thirds of the world's native speakers of English live in the United States....
) (a short turn
Short turn
In public transport, a short turn or turn-back is an earlier terminus on a bus or rail line that is used on some scheduled trips that do not operate along the full length of the route....
service) is a temporary replacement for route 255, which connects Naples with Torre del Greco
Torre del Greco
-Main sights:*Roman archaeological remains, including the so-called "Villa Sora" , probably a property of the Flavians.*Monastery of the Zoccolanti, with a cloister housing 28 frescoed panels depicting the life of St...
. Since September 2009, service on route 255 has been temporarily suspended due to major road work in the town of Ercolano. Trolleybus service is temporarily cut back to Portici (Piazza San Ciro), as route 255-barrata, and the portion of route 255 between Portici and Torre del Greco is temporarily replaced by motorbus route 655. In Ercolano, route 255 passes the entrance to the ruins of the ancient city of Herculaneum
Herculaneum
Herculaneum was an ancient Roman town destroyed by volcanic pyroclastic flows in AD 79, located in the territory of the current commune of Ercolano, in the Italian region of Campania in the shadow of Mt...
(in Italian simply Ercolano, the same as the present-day, inhabited city), on Corso Resina.
Route 203 is the newest route; it began operation on 2 September 2009. Routes 201 and 202 opened in 2004 and 2006, respectively. The three surviving suburban routes are much older; routes 254 and 255 opened in January 1962 and route 256 in May 1963.
CTP routes
The CTP system currently has two trolleybus routes:- M11 Metro line 1's Piscinola/Scampìa station – AversaAversaAversa is a town and comune in the Province of Caserta in Campania southern Italy, about 15 kilometres north of Naples. It is the centre of an agricultural district, the agro aversano, producing wine and cheese...
– TeverolaTeverolaTeverola is a comune in the Province of Caserta in the Italian region Campania, located about 20 km north of Naples and about 12 km southwest of Caserta.... - M13 Napoli/Piazza Garibaldi – Aversa – Teverola
Route M13 was extended from Aversa to Teverola in December 2001, and route M15 was withdrawn at that time. With a one-way length of approximately 22 km, route M13 is the longest trolleybus route in western Europe. Route M11 began operation in June 2005, but did not require any new wiring; its 2 km section closest to Piscinola metro station is not equipped with overhead wires, and the trolleybuses serving the route use their auxiliary diesel engines along that section, while the remainder of the route uses overhead wiring already in place for route M13.
Planned expansion
There are currently plans to construct some new routes, in some cases making use of overhead wiring from former routes that remains in place but is currently disused. The plans include the conversion of the following ANM bus routes into trolleybus routes:- R4 Ospedale Cardarelli – Piazza Municipio (new route, presumably to be renumbered 204); this project has been tentatively approved and is awaiting the start of construction
- R5 Parcheggio Brin – MN1 Piscinola/Scampìa station (new route, presumably to be renumbered 205); this proposal is still under study.
These plans were already in place in 2005, along with plans to convert bus route C47 (Piazza G.B. Vico – Piazza Medaglie d'Oro) to trolleybuses, which in effect would have been a restoration of former trolleybus route 247 (closed in 1973), However, this plan for route C47 was cancelled in 2010. In the relatively recent past (in 2000), ANM also had plans to restore trolleybus routes 253 (Naples – Ercolano
Ercolano
Ercolano is a town and comune in the province of Naples, Campania . It lies at the western foot of Mount Vesuvius, on the Bay of Naples, just southeast of the city of Naples. The medieval town of Resina was built on the volcanic material left by the eruption of Vesuvius that destroyed the ancient...
) and 257 (Naples – Bellavista – Ercolano), which previously operated until the mid-1980s and from 1973–76, respectively, but whose disused wiring was retained for many years. However, those plans have been dropped, and the disused wiring was removed in 2004.
Fleets
- ANM: 87 AnsaldoBreda F19 (built 1999–2002), numbered F9079-F9165
- CTP: 3 AnsaldoBreda F19, nos. 101–103 (built 2000); and 10 Solaris-Ganz Solaris 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 (built 2004), nos. 121–130
All 100 vehicles are equipped with diesel engines to allow limited operation away from the overhead wires.
ANM's fleet also includes one preserved historic trolleybus, a 1961-built Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of cars. Founded as A.L.F.A. on June 24, 1910, in Milan, the company has been involved in car racing since 1911, and has a reputation for building expensive sports cars...
1000F trolleybus, No. 8021. ANM's modern, low-floor AnsaldoBreda trolleybuses began to enter service in October 2000, replacing Alfa Romeo vehicles, and the last of the latter were withdrawn in early March 2001. The agency preserved three of them (nos. 8021, 8038 and 8306). No. 8021 was fully restored to historic condition and livery in 2003. It is not used for normal service, but operates occasionally on special excursions, and on certain summer Sundays it runs in public service on a special city-centre-only loop route to promote awareness of public transport's positive role in helping to preserve the environment. The power supply of the ANM system was raised in 2001–03 from 600 Volt
Volt
The volt is the SI derived unit for electric potential, electric potential difference, and electromotive force. The volt is named in honor of the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta , who invented the voltaic pile, possibly the first chemical battery.- Definition :A single volt is defined as the...
s to 750V, but No. 8021's motors have not been modified to allow it to operate at the higher voltage. On days when the historic trolleybus is operated, the voltage of the entire trolleybus system must be temporarily reduced to 600V. The modern AnsaldoBreda vehicles are able to operate at either voltage.
Depots
The only trolleybus depot available to the ANM network is the Stella Polare depot. However, some ANM trolleybuses are stored at the Via Ferraris and Carlo III bus depots, which they use their diesel engines to enter and exit.CTP has several depots for its mostly motorbus fleet, but the only one equipped for trolleybuses is the Teverola depot, which was built in 1994 and since 2001 has been the outer terminus of route M13.
See also
- Trams in NaplesTrams in NaplesThe Naples tramway network is located within the city and comune of Naples, in the region of Campania, southern Italy. In operation since 1875, the network has waxed and waned in size and vitality over the years, and is now growing once again...
- Metropolitana di NapoliMetropolitana di NapoliMetropolitana di Napoli is the metro system serving the city of Naples, Italy. The system includes three underground rapid transit lines and commuter railways , with planned upgrading and expansion work underway...
- List of trolleybus systems in Italy