Trolleybuses in Parma
Encyclopedia
The Parma trolleybus system forms part of the public transport
network of the city and comune
of Parma
, in the region
of Emilia-Romagna
, northern Italy
. In operation since 1953, the system presently comprises four urban routes.
One month later, on 25 November 1953, the trolleybus system's predecessor, the Parma tramway network, was closed.
In 1968, trolleybus route 1 was extended to the cemetery at Orzi di Baganza. In 1972, route 2 was extended, but was also simultaneously transformed into a diesel bus route. This has been the only closure of a trolleybus route in Parma.
In recent decades, the trolleybus system has been expanded: in 1987, route 1 was extended from Orzi di Baganza to strada Farnese; in 1989 bus route 4 was converted into a trolleybus route, and in 1994, bus route 5 was similarly converted.
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 Parma
Parma
Parma is a city in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna famous for its ham, its cheese, its architecture and the fine countryside around it. This is the home of the University of Parma, one of the oldest universities in the world....
, 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
Northern Italy
Northern Italy is a wide cultural, historical and geographical definition, without any administrative usage, used to indicate the northern part of the Italian state, also referred as Settentrione or Alta Italia...
. In operation since 1953, the system presently comprises four urban routes.
History
When the Parma trolleybus system commenced operations on 25 October 1953, it consisted of three routes:- 1 Stazione FSParma railway stationParma railway station serves the city and comune of Parma, in the region of Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy. Opened in 1859, it forms part of the Milan–Bologna railway, and is also a terminus of three secondary railways, linking Piacenza with La Spezia, Sarzana, Piadena, Brescia and Suzzara,...
↔ cimitero della Villetta; - 2 San Leonardo ↔ Via Montebello;
- 3 San Lazzaro ↔ Crocetta.
One month later, on 25 November 1953, the trolleybus system's predecessor, the Parma tramway network, was closed.
In 1968, trolleybus route 1 was extended to the cemetery at Orzi di Baganza. In 1972, route 2 was extended, but was also simultaneously transformed into a diesel bus route. This has been the only closure of a trolleybus route in Parma.
In recent decades, the trolleybus system has been expanded: in 1987, route 1 was extended from Orzi di Baganza to strada Farnese; in 1989 bus route 4 was converted into a trolleybus route, and in 1994, bus route 5 was similarly converted.
Services
The routes comprising the present Parma trolleybus system are:- 1 Stazione FS ↔ strada Farnese (operated by diesel bus from November 2009 during roadworks);
- 3 San Lazzaro ↔ Crocetta;
- 4 Via Parigi ↔ Via Mordacci;
- 5 Via Orazio ↔ Via Chiavari.
Retired trolleybuses
The following trolleybuses previously used in Parma have since been withdrawn from service:- 16 Fiat 2401 Cansa delivered 1953, nos 001-016;
- 2 Fiat 2411 Cansa delivered 1959/1960, nos 017-018;
- 2 Fiat 2411 Cansa delivered 1964, nos 019-020.
Current fleet
Parma's current trolleybus fleet is as follows:- 10 Menarini Monocar 201 delivered 1981, nos 021-030;
- 10 Menarini Monocar 201/2 delivered 1986, nos 031-040;
- 14 Autodromo BusOtto delivered 1997 and 2000, nos 041-054.
Heritage fleet
Parma trolleybuses nos 014 and 017 are preserved as heritage vehicles, at the TEP "I° maggio" depot.See also
- Parma railway stationParma railway stationParma railway station serves the city and comune of Parma, in the region of Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy. Opened in 1859, it forms part of the Milan–Bologna railway, and is also a terminus of three secondary railways, linking Piacenza with La Spezia, Sarzana, Piadena, Brescia and Suzzara,...
- List of trolleybus systems in Italy
External links
- Brief history of the introduction of the trolleybus service, at tep.pr.it
- Images of the Parma trolleybus system, at railfaneurope.net
- Discussion of the Parma trolleybus system, on the Mondo Tram Forum
- Page on the history and status of the Parma trolleybus system.
This article is based upon a translation of the Italian language version as at March 2011.