@750v-dc.bsky.social
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750v-dc.bsky.social
@750v-dc.bsky.social
· Jan 26
Bus Electrification: A comparison of capital costs - Urban Transport Magazine
INDUSTRY FOCUS: Alternative Propulsion Systems 1. Introduction In the last few years, transport planners have increasingly been concerned about the need to move towards a low carbon/zero carbon future...
www.urban-transport-magazine.com
Followers asked me to post here, so as a base point, here’s my article comparing CAPEX of BEB vs battery-trolleybus. Costs have since grown but the principle remains: battery trolleybus competes v well with BEBs. www.urban-transport-magazine.com/en/bus-electrification-a-comparison-of-capital-costs/
You're right to be furious about this. The cost comparison between new BEBs and 20-25 yr old trolleybuses is meaningless. On a Total Cost of Ownership basis, trolleybuses often beat BEBs, especially on the heavier duty lines. Attached is a slide from ebusplan. 1/4 @chittimarco.bsky.social
December 9, 2025 at 8:37 PM
You're right to be furious about this. The cost comparison between new BEBs and 20-25 yr old trolleybuses is meaningless. On a Total Cost of Ownership basis, trolleybuses often beat BEBs, especially on the heavier duty lines. Attached is a slide from ebusplan. 1/4 @chittimarco.bsky.social
Exactly. Also, while it is true that BEBs can climb steep hills, repeated need for a heavy current draw impairs battery life, whereas there is no damage to any equipment on a trolleybus that operates on very steep hills. I am tempted to say from experience that trolleybuses seem to thrive on it.
Trolleybuses pull power directly into efficient, hill-climbing engines without need for massive, pavement-crushing batteries. Next gen trolleys with in-motion charging offer significant off-wire travel, allowing incremental wire extension. SF and Seattle partnering:
www.sfmta.com/media/43118/...
www.sfmta.com/media/43118/...
December 3, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Exactly. Also, while it is true that BEBs can climb steep hills, repeated need for a heavy current draw impairs battery life, whereas there is no damage to any equipment on a trolleybus that operates on very steep hills. I am tempted to say from experience that trolleybuses seem to thrive on it.
The trolleybus BRT between Pescara and Montesilvano began public service on 11th September. This video gives a good impression of the set-up - lovers of trolleybus wires will need to wait until 1:57.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4rE...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4rE...
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September 14, 2025 at 6:09 PM
The trolleybus BRT between Pescara and Montesilvano began public service on 11th September. This video gives a good impression of the set-up - lovers of trolleybus wires will need to wait until 1:57.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4rE...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4rE...
Budapest's tender for up to 160 trolleybuses has been won by a consortium of Yutong and Ikarus. The plan is to double the size of the system by 2030.
The initial order will be for 16 standard and 24 articulated vehicles.📷Yutong
dailynewshungary.com/ikarus-win-b...
The initial order will be for 16 standard and 24 articulated vehicles.📷Yutong
dailynewshungary.com/ikarus-win-b...
September 2, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Budapest's tender for up to 160 trolleybuses has been won by a consortium of Yutong and Ikarus. The plan is to double the size of the system by 2030.
The initial order will be for 16 standard and 24 articulated vehicles.📷Yutong
dailynewshungary.com/ikarus-win-b...
The initial order will be for 16 standard and 24 articulated vehicles.📷Yutong
dailynewshungary.com/ikarus-win-b...
Translink now has funding for 102 BEBs, which will bring the total to 178 by 2030. No-one admits this is a limited plan compared to grandiose ideas of 2020:
314 under a "progressive" plan; or
635 under an "aggressive" one.
Those 250 extra trolleybuses could save the day. @alonlevy.bsky.social
314 under a "progressive" plan; or
635 under an "aggressive" one.
Those 250 extra trolleybuses could save the day. @alonlevy.bsky.social
Just returned from Vancouver. I was briefed on the new trolleybus fleet, fitted with batteries and In Motion Charging. The order includes options that would increase the size of the fleet by 250 buses. This means there's scope both for extensions and new routes. See my post on LinkedIn
rb.gy/habvuu
rb.gy/habvuu
July 15, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Translink now has funding for 102 BEBs, which will bring the total to 178 by 2030. No-one admits this is a limited plan compared to grandiose ideas of 2020:
314 under a "progressive" plan; or
635 under an "aggressive" one.
Those 250 extra trolleybuses could save the day. @alonlevy.bsky.social
314 under a "progressive" plan; or
635 under an "aggressive" one.
Those 250 extra trolleybuses could save the day. @alonlevy.bsky.social
Reposted
ICYMI: my caution against ill-advised electric bus mandates This is the wrong time to be forcing US transit agencies into a monopoly marketplace. commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/why-...
Why the MBTA's electric bus mandate is a bad idea - CommonWealth Beacon
Massachusetts would do substantially more to reduce carbon emissions if it invested in an electric regional rail system with 15-30 minute frequencies that enabled more people to take the train rather ...
commonwealthbeacon.org
July 7, 2025 at 11:05 AM
ICYMI: my caution against ill-advised electric bus mandates This is the wrong time to be forcing US transit agencies into a monopoly marketplace. commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/why-...
Opening of the 8km trolleybus route from Pescara to Montesilvano in Italy is close, thanks to final approval from the safety authority. Pre-service testing begins soon with hope of public service in August.
www.abruzzonews.eu/la-filovia-pescara-montesilvano-ottiene-nulla-osta-da-ansfisa-677417.html
www.abruzzonews.eu/la-filovia-pescara-montesilvano-ottiene-nulla-osta-da-ansfisa-677417.html
July 6, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Opening of the 8km trolleybus route from Pescara to Montesilvano in Italy is close, thanks to final approval from the safety authority. Pre-service testing begins soon with hope of public service in August.
www.abruzzonews.eu/la-filovia-pescara-montesilvano-ottiene-nulla-osta-da-ansfisa-677417.html
www.abruzzonews.eu/la-filovia-pescara-montesilvano-ottiene-nulla-osta-da-ansfisa-677417.html
Reposted
Today’s subversive trolleybus.
July 6, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Today’s subversive trolleybus.
Just returned from Vancouver. I was briefed on the new trolleybus fleet, fitted with batteries and In Motion Charging. The order includes options that would increase the size of the fleet by 250 buses. This means there's scope both for extensions and new routes. See my post on LinkedIn
rb.gy/habvuu
rb.gy/habvuu
June 29, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Just returned from Vancouver. I was briefed on the new trolleybus fleet, fitted with batteries and In Motion Charging. The order includes options that would increase the size of the fleet by 250 buses. This means there's scope both for extensions and new routes. See my post on LinkedIn
rb.gy/habvuu
rb.gy/habvuu
More trolleybus expansion in Mexico with the opening of the interurban trolleybus BRT between Santa Marta in the capital (DF) and Chalco. The line is 18.5 km, will have 15 stations (when all completed) and runs on both elevated and median alignments. 1/5
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZJx...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZJx...
POR FIN ABORDE EL Trolebus Santa Martha-Chalco y Mira !GRAN CONECTIVIDAD ENTRE CDMX Y EDOMEX.CHULADA
YouTube video by Travesías Urbanas México DSS
www.youtube.com
May 25, 2025 at 5:17 PM
More trolleybus expansion in Mexico with the opening of the interurban trolleybus BRT between Santa Marta in the capital (DF) and Chalco. The line is 18.5 km, will have 15 stations (when all completed) and runs on both elevated and median alignments. 1/5
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZJx...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZJx...
Reposted
Meanwhile the TTC crows that it has the largest NA fleet of battery buses. Actually under 100 including 60 in a prototype fleet from three vendors with varying degrees of reliability. But, hey, you can't build a career and reputation for "innovation" with a century-old technology.
My article on the Solaris trolleybus order for Vancouver has just been published in Urban Transport Magazine. Photo: Solaris. @www.urban-transport-magazine.com/en/solaris-wins-the-first-large-contract-on-north-american-market-a-new-trolleybus-fleet-in-vancouver/
Solaris wins the first large contract on North American market: A new trolleybus fleet in Vancouver - Urban Transport Magazine
The operator of public transport in the Greater Vancouver area, Translink, has been working on a project for the renewal of its trolleybus fleet and possible expansion of the system, which currently h...
www.urban-transport-magazine.com
March 6, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Meanwhile the TTC crows that it has the largest NA fleet of battery buses. Actually under 100 including 60 in a prototype fleet from three vendors with varying degrees of reliability. But, hey, you can't build a career and reputation for "innovation" with a century-old technology.
My article on the Solaris trolleybus order for Vancouver has just been published in Urban Transport Magazine. Photo: Solaris. @www.urban-transport-magazine.com/en/solaris-wins-the-first-large-contract-on-north-american-market-a-new-trolleybus-fleet-in-vancouver/
Solaris wins the first large contract on North American market: A new trolleybus fleet in Vancouver - Urban Transport Magazine
The operator of public transport in the Greater Vancouver area, Translink, has been working on a project for the renewal of its trolleybus fleet and possible expansion of the system, which currently h...
www.urban-transport-magazine.com
March 6, 2025 at 8:12 PM
My article on the Solaris trolleybus order for Vancouver has just been published in Urban Transport Magazine. Photo: Solaris. @www.urban-transport-magazine.com/en/solaris-wins-the-first-large-contract-on-north-american-market-a-new-trolleybus-fleet-in-vancouver/
Here’s an article that sums i the main points
dailyhive.com/vancouver/tr...
dailyhive.com/vancouver/tr...
European firm to build 262 new trolley buses for TransLink | Urbanized
TransLink has selected European bus manufacturer Solaris as its new supplier to replace Metro Vancouver's aging trolley bus fleet.
dailyhive.com
March 4, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Here’s an article that sums i the main points
dailyhive.com/vancouver/tr...
dailyhive.com/vancouver/tr...
Just out. The winner of the contract for Vancouver’s new trolleybus fleet has just been announced. It’s Solaris. A base order of 107 but with options for an additional 201 40ft and 204 articulated trolleybuses.
March 4, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Just out. The winner of the contract for Vancouver’s new trolleybus fleet has just been announced. It’s Solaris. A base order of 107 but with options for an additional 201 40ft and 204 articulated trolleybuses.
Another brilliant thread on the many varied effects of communist rule in the GDR on the current political scene in Germany.
Once again, the rise of the AfD and its relatively greater popularity in the East has led to yet another round of discussion around the legacy of the GDR and contemporary German politics. A short thread:
February 25, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Another brilliant thread on the many varied effects of communist rule in the GDR on the current political scene in Germany.
This may be realistic and necessary. Nevertheless it was indeed astonishing to hear this announced in a live studio discussion rather than in a set piece such as a formal speech. Clearly, it won’t have been an ex tempore comment but viewers might have taken it that way because of the occasion.
Merz just said on German TV that the primary priority of his government will be to ensure that Europe can achieve full strategic independence from the United States in the defence against Russia.
Merz was once a die hard Atlanicist. Now, after Trump he is a Gaullist.
Extraordinary.
Merz was once a die hard Atlanicist. Now, after Trump he is a Gaullist.
Extraordinary.
February 24, 2025 at 12:49 PM
This may be realistic and necessary. Nevertheless it was indeed astonishing to hear this announced in a live studio discussion rather than in a set piece such as a formal speech. Clearly, it won’t have been an ex tempore comment but viewers might have taken it that way because of the occasion.
Reposted
Election coverage in the international media can usually be neatly divided between people trying to explain to you what happened in a foreign country and the people explaining politics in your own country using a foreign country as a dodgy metaphor.
February 24, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Election coverage in the international media can usually be neatly divided between people trying to explain to you what happened in a foreign country and the people explaining politics in your own country using a foreign country as a dodgy metaphor.
Of course @aphclarkson.bsky.social is also essential reading for Anglophone readers on German election day.
CDU/CSU just under 30% is still a win for Merz but symbolically being in the upper 20s will disappoint them.
SPD has done badly but could have been worse.
AfD gets a very good result but will still be disappointed because they vastly overestimate their realistic potential.
SPD has done badly but could have been worse.
AfD gets a very good result but will still be disappointed because they vastly overestimate their realistic potential.
February 23, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Of course @aphclarkson.bsky.social is also essential reading for Anglophone readers on German election day.
Watching ARD live via YouTube. But it’s also good to have threads like this to have a thoughtful summary.
Preliminary thoughts on the German election results so far:
1) Chasing the far right vote by demagoguing on migration has brought the CDU/CSU it's second worst performance in history. It's in first place, but it's a weaker result than anything Merkel posted.
1) Chasing the far right vote by demagoguing on migration has brought the CDU/CSU it's second worst performance in history. It's in first place, but it's a weaker result than anything Merkel posted.
February 23, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Watching ARD live via YouTube. But it’s also good to have threads like this to have a thoughtful summary.
. @noahsbwilliams.com We were talking about regeneration with trolleybuses where most regen will be absorbed by other buses nearby.
In contrast, electric railways have an impressive level of regen back to the grid not just to OCS. The system is evidently equipped with bi-directional substations.
In contrast, electric railways have an impressive level of regen back to the grid not just to OCS. The system is evidently equipped with bi-directional substations.
The regenerative braking system on its new electric trains returns approximately 23% of the energy it consumes to the electric grid
Caltrain's Electrification Efficiency Surpasses Projections
During its monthly Board of Directors meeting, Caltrain reported that the regenerative braking system on its new electric trains returns approximately 23% of the energy it consumes to the electric gri...
sf.urbanize.city
February 20, 2025 at 6:26 PM
. @noahsbwilliams.com We were talking about regeneration with trolleybuses where most regen will be absorbed by other buses nearby.
In contrast, electric railways have an impressive level of regen back to the grid not just to OCS. The system is evidently equipped with bi-directional substations.
In contrast, electric railways have an impressive level of regen back to the grid not just to OCS. The system is evidently equipped with bi-directional substations.
Continuing with a Jan update on Prague's trolleybus system. After a complicated tender process, Prague DPP awarded a framework contract for up to 70 standard trolleybuses to Turkish manufacturer Bozankaya. Electrical equipment from Medcom (Poland). Credit: cs-dopravak and Jiří Mejstřík (graphics)
February 9, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Continuing with a Jan update on Prague's trolleybus system. After a complicated tender process, Prague DPP awarded a framework contract for up to 70 standard trolleybuses to Turkish manufacturer Bozankaya. Electrical equipment from Medcom (Poland). Credit: cs-dopravak and Jiří Mejstřík (graphics)
Last October I attended the trolley:motion conference in Prague. The impetus was the city's new trolleybus system. One of the 2 new lines runs to the airport using double-articulated etbs. For those still with access to X, my v long thread.
www.twitter.com/750V_DC/status/1854959980413075624
www.twitter.com/750V_DC/status/1854959980413075624
February 9, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Last October I attended the trolley:motion conference in Prague. The impetus was the city's new trolleybus system. One of the 2 new lines runs to the airport using double-articulated etbs. For those still with access to X, my v long thread.
www.twitter.com/750V_DC/status/1854959980413075624
www.twitter.com/750V_DC/status/1854959980413075624
Reposted
Even as Muni contemplates steep service cuts, its leadership refuses to change course on its battery bus plans or even consider an alternatives analysis to see if leveraging the existing trolleybus network can do the job faster, cheaper, and with fewer environmental and operational impacts.
Here are the Muni service cut scenarios for this summer.
There is no right answer here. Any of the 3 would be disastrous and send Muni into a death spiral. The right answer is Mayor Lurie and the supervisors find the funds to stop these cuts. Join the fight at muniforever.org
There is no right answer here. Any of the 3 would be disastrous and send Muni into a death spiral. The right answer is Mayor Lurie and the supervisors find the funds to stop these cuts. Join the fight at muniforever.org
January 31, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Even as Muni contemplates steep service cuts, its leadership refuses to change course on its battery bus plans or even consider an alternatives analysis to see if leveraging the existing trolleybus network can do the job faster, cheaper, and with fewer environmental and operational impacts.
Excellent thread by Alon. Well worth a read.
1. 🧵 about German historiography and historical memory of the Holocaust, postwar-present. This is motivated by a bad Pankaj Mishra article (but I repeat myself) that people in my feed are sharing that skips critical steps, but frankly the Historikerstreit is more interesting a subject than Mishra.
January 30, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Excellent thread by Alon. Well worth a read.
While I am setting out a few items from my library, here’s my article summarising the 2023 study that recommended that further bus electrification in San Francisco should focus on trolleybus expansion. www.urban-transport-magazine.com/en/san-francisco-new-study-recommends-trolleybus-expansion/
San Francisco: New Study Recommends Trolleybus Expansion - Urban Transport Magazine
San Francisco has the largest trolleybus fleet in the USA, with a fleet of 278 modern trolleybuses delivered in the three years to 2019. It is also regarded across the world as the archetype of a city...
urban-transport-magazine.com
January 27, 2025 at 6:25 PM
While I am setting out a few items from my library, here’s my article summarising the 2023 study that recommended that further bus electrification in San Francisco should focus on trolleybus expansion. www.urban-transport-magazine.com/en/san-francisco-new-study-recommends-trolleybus-expansion/