Trolleybuses in Milan

Last updated
Milan trolleybus system
Milano filobus Breda via Tonale.JPG
Breda 4001, no 210, at Via Tonale. This model is no longer in service
Operation
Locale Milan, Lombardy, Italy
Open28 October 1933 (1933-10-28)
Routes4
Operator(s) ATM
Infrastructure
Electrification 550-600 V DC parallel overhead lines etc
Depot(s)Via Molise, Via Novara
Statistics
Route length 40.4 km (25.1 mi)
Overview
Milano mappa rete filoviaria.svg
Website http://www.atm-mi.it/ ATM (in Italian)

The Milan trolleybus system (Italian : Rete filoviaria di Milano) is part of the public transport network of Milan, Italy. [1] In operation since 1933, the system presently comprises four routes. [1]

Contents

History

"Vibertone" no. 548, restored 2009. ATM 548 01.jpg
"Vibertone" no. 548, restored 2009.

The first trolleybuses were introduced in Milan as vehicles operating exclusivly within the 1906 world fair, at Piazza D'Armi, a plaza which has been demolished and replaced by the Citylife district. [1] The first proper trolleybus system was established in Milan in 1933, with the opening of the short route 81 (Piazza Spotorno – piazza Dergano). [2]

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. [1]

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. [3] Many trolleybus routes were therefore converted into bus routes, and their overhead wires were removed.

Routes abandoned during the 1970s and 1980s were:

In subsequent years, following the abandonment of the proposal for the 90/91 tram line, [3] 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, [5] and the provision of higher quality busses, [6] which replaced all instances of the older trollybus models. [7] There are no plans to expand the system.

Service

A Socimi II series (on Iveco 2470 chassis), no. 924, on route 92. This model is no longer in service Milano - piazza Caiazzo - filobus.jpg
A Socimi II series (on Iveco 2470 chassis), no. 924, on route 92. This model is no longer in service
An articulated Irisbus Cristalis, no. 409, in service on route 90. This model is no longer in service Milano-Cristalis1.jpg
An articulated Irisbus Cristalis, no. 409, in service on route 90. This model is no longer in service
A Van Hool trolleybus for ATM, on test in Belgium before delivery to Milan. Van Hool AG300T Milan tested in Ghent.jpg
A Van Hool trolleybus for ATM, on test in Belgium before delivery to Milan.

The four routes are:

Fleet

Past fleet

The fleet comprised many different types of trolleybuses during the 20th century, including many vehicles built by Alfa Romeo and Fiat and smaller batches built by other manufacturers, such as Isotta Fraschini. [8]

The following types were still in service during the 21st century [8] but are retired now:

Current fleet

Milan's current trolleybus fleet is as follows:

A Solaris Trollino articulated trolleybus in Milan, in service on route 90 ATM Solaris Trollino 800 viale Isonzo piazza Trento 20230401.jpg
A Solaris Trollino articulated trolleybus in Milan, in service on route 90

Preserved vehicles

  • 1 Fiat 2472/Viberti articulated trolleybus (no. 548), built in 1958. Retired from regular service in 1996 and renovated in 2008. [25]

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

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milan Metro Line 3</span> Subway line serving Milan, Italy

Line 3 is an underground line in Milan, Italy. This line is part of the Milan Metro and operated by ATM. Construction began in 1981 in order to be ready for the 1990 Football World Cup. It is also called the Yellow Line as identified by its yellow signage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trams in Rome</span> Overview of the tram system of Rome, Italy

The Rome tramway network composed of 6 tram lines operating in the city of Rome, Italy, part of the Rome’s public transport network. The current tram system in Rome, is a leftover from what once was the largest tram system in Italy. The system is owned and operated by Azienda Tranvie e Autobus del Comune di Roma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trolleybuses in Naples</span>

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. From 1964 to 2015, two independent trolleybus systems were in operation, both publicly owned, but only that of Azienda Napoletana Mobilità (ANM) remains in operation. The ANM system opened in 1940, whereas the smaller trolleybus network of Compagnia Trasporti Pubblici di Napoli (CTP) opened in 1964.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trolleybuses in Cagliari</span>

The Cagliari trolleybus system forms part of the public transport network of the city and comune of Cagliari and the Metropolitan City of Cagliari, in the region of Sardinia, Italy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trolleybuses in Genoa</span>

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 system currently comprises only one route. Between 2008 and 2012, two routes were being operated.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trolleybuses in Parma</span> Part of public transport in northern Italy

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trolleybuses in Sanremo</span>

The Sanremo trolleybus system or San Remo trolleybus system, also known as the Italian Riviera trolleybus, is focused on the town and comune of Sanremo, in the region of Liguria, northwestern Italy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trams in Milan</span>

The Milan tramway network is part of the public transport network of Milan, Italy, operated by Azienda Trasporti Milanesi (ATM).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trolleybuses in Bologna</span>

The Bologna trolleybus system is part of the public transport network of the city and comune of Bologna, in the region of Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy. While being in operation since 1991, the current system comprises five urban routes: 13, 14, 15, 32 and 33. Additional routes are presently under construction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trolleybuses in Ancona</span>

The Ancona trolleybus system forms part of the public transport network of the city and comune of Ancona, in the Marche region, central Italy. In operation since 1949, the system presently comprises only one urban route.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trolleybuses in Chieti</span>

The Chieti trolleybus system forms part of the public transport network of the city and comune of Chieti, in the region of Abruzzo, central Italy. In operation since 2009, the system comprises one urban route.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Socimi</span>

Società 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. It also manufactured weapons, such as rifles. The company was founded by engineer Alessandro Marzocco in 1969 and was declared insolvent in 1994 due to its involvement in the Mani pulite scandal in 1992. The remains of said company were subsequently placed into receivership in 2002, and in 2014 an arrangement proposal to settle the company's remaining liabilities was made by the company Assuntore San Tommaso Uno, controlled by the US investment company Värde Partners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trolleybuses in Modena</span>

The Modena trolleybus system forms part of the public transport network of the city and comune of Modena, in the region of Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trolleybuses in La Spezia</span> Public transit network in Liguria, Italy

The La Spezia trolleybus system forms part of the public transport network of the city and comune of La Spezia, in the region of Liguria, northwest Italy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trolleybuses in Rimini</span> Trolleybus system in Rimini, Italy

The Rimini trolleybus system forms part of the public transport network of the Province of Rimini, in the region of Emilia-Romagna, Italy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alfa Romeo Mille AF</span> Motor vehicle

The Alfa Romeo Mille is a trolleybus manufactured by Alfa Romeo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trolleybuses in Lugano</span>

The Lugano trolleybus system was a trolleybus system that formed part of the public transport network of Lugano, in the canton of Ticino, Switzerland, for nearly half a century. Opened in 1954, the system had progressively replaced the Lugano tramway network by 1959, and was significantly expanded between 1975 and 1981. However, it was closed in 2001, and the overhead wires had been completely removed by the summer of 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cantono Frigerio system</span> Electric power supply system

The Cantono Frigerio system was an Italian electric power supply for trackless trolleybuses with two wires about 20 inches (510 mm) apart being contacted by a four-wheeled collector on a single trolley pole. In English publications it was often described as Filovia system although the Italian term filovia means literally wire way, i.e. a trolleybus line or a trolleybus system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trolleybuses in Avellino</span>

The Avellino trolleybus system forms part of the public transport network of the city of Avellino and the province of Avellino, in the region of Campania. Trolleybuses originally served the city from 1947 to 1973, on a route that also extended outside the city to the neighbouring towns of Atripalda and Mercogliano, and then the system closed. However, in the 2000s work to build a new trolleybus system got under way and new vehicles were purchased for it in 2007, and were delivered in 2014. The project experienced several delays after the start of construction in 2009, but most issues had been resolved by 2020 and construction was largely completed by 2021. Throughout its planning and construction, it was inaccurately referred to as the "metropolitana leggera", when in fact it was never planned to be a rail line, and always planned to be a trolleybus line. The last round of testing took place in December 2022 and January 2023. The new trolleybus system opened for service on 3 April 2023, but service was suspended only three months later and is not expected to resume until 2026.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trolleybuses in Bari</span> Electric transit system in Bari, Italy

The Bari trolleybus system formed part of the public transport network of the city of Bari and the province of Bari, in the region of Apulia, Italy. Trolleybuses served the city from 1939 to 1987, on a network of several routes.

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Spada, Oliviero. "Il Filobus, un mezzo di trasporto milanese". Milanofree.it (in Italian). Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  2. "Cronologia rete filoviaria ATM Milano". digilander.libero.it.
  3. 1 2 Marcomin, Fabio (2024-12-15). "Il progetto di trasformare la 90/91 in una «metro di superficie»". Milano Città Stato (in Italian). Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 digilander.libero.it https://digilander.libero.it/Cristian1989/cronobusurbani.html#81 . Retrieved 2024-12-25.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. "Milano, la corsia riservata al bus che costa un patrimonio: 23mila euro al metro. Ecco dove sarà". Il Giorno (in Italian). 2023-07-04. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  6. "Atm Milano: rinnova flotta filobus puntando su green e tecnologia - Mobilità Sostenibile - Ansa.it". Agenzia ANSA (in Italian). 2019-06-14. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  7. 1 2 3 "FILOBUS". Passione Trasporti (in Italian). 2021-01-24. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Gregoris, Paolo; Rizzoli, Francesco; Serra, Claudio (2003). Giro d'Italia in filobus[Tour of Italy by Trolleybus] (in Italian). Cortona: Calosci Editore. pp. 83–96. ISBN   88-7785-193-7.
  9. "SOCIMI 8820". Passione Trasporti (in Italian). 2021-01-25. Retrieved 2023-07-24.
  10. 1 2 3 Trolleybus Magazine No. 375 (May–June 2024), p. 121. National Trolleybus Association (UK). ISSN   0266-7452.
  11. "BREDABUS 4001.18 F04". Passione Trasporti (in Italian). 2021-01-25. Retrieved 2023-07-24.
  12. Trolleybus Magazine No. 376 (July–August 2024), p. 165. National Trolleybus Association (UK).
  13. Trolleybus Magazine No. 371 (September–October 2023), pp. 209, 211. National Trolleybus Association (UK). ISSN   0266-7452.
  14. "C.A.M. BUSOTTO – MAN NGT 204 F". Passione Trasporti (in Italian). 2021-01-25. Retrieved 2023-07-24.
  15. "SOCIMI F8843". Passione Trasporti (in Italian). 2021-01-25. Retrieved 2023-07-24.
  16. Trolleybus Magazine No. 191 (September–October 1993), p. 131. National Trolleybus Association (UK).
  17. "IRISBUS CRISTALIS TIPO ETB 18". Passione Trasporti (in Italian). 2021-01-25. Retrieved 2023-07-24.
  18. "VAN HOOL AG 300 T". Passione Trasporti (in Italian). 2021-01-25. Retrieved 2023-07-24.
  19. Trolleybus Magazine No. 286 (July–August 2009), p. 92. National Trolleybus Association (UK).
  20. Trolleybus Magazine No. 303 (May–June 2012), p. 70.
  21. Trolleybus Magazine No. 305 (September–October 2012), p. 119. National Trolleybus Association (UK).
  22. "SOLARIS TROLLINO 18". Passione Trasporti (in Italian). 2021-01-25. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
  23. Trolleybus Magazine No. 352 (July–August 2020), pp. 148, 150. National Trolleybus Association (UK).
  24. Trolleybus Magazine No. 362 (March–April 2022), p. 78. National Trolleybus Association (UK).
  25. "FIAT 2472 VIBERTI". Passione Trasporti (in Italian). 2021-01-25. Retrieved 2023-07-24.

Further reading