Trolleybuses in Dunedin

Trolleybuses in Dunedin were part of the Dunedin public transport system from 1950 until 1982.

Trolleybuses in Dunedin
Preserved New Zealand Motor Bodies BUT RETB/1 trolleybus in November 2016
Operation
LocaleDunedin, New Zealand
Open24 February 1950
Close31 March 1982
Routes14
Operator(s)Dunedin City Transport Department

History

Trolleybuses commenced operating in Dunedin on 24 February 1950 from Bond Street in the central business district to Opoho.[1] By 1958 trolleybuses had replaced all of the city's trams operating on 14 routes. It was progressively closed from 1969, with the final route closing in July 1979. However the 1979 oil crisis resulted in part of the network being reopened the next month. It closed again in March 1982.[2][3][4]

Vehicles

The fleet comprised 79 BUT RETB/1s built between 1950 and 1962.[3][4] One is preserved at the Toitū Otago Settlers Museum and two by the Tramway Historical Society.[5][6]

Fleet numbersQuantityChassisBody
1–5555BUT RETB/1New Zealand Motor Bodies
56-7924BUT RETB/1Transport Department

References
  1. Dunedin Electric Traction January 1952 page 3
  2. From across the Tasman Trolley Wire issue 200 June 1982 page 31
  3. McNicol, Steve (1989). New Zealand Trolleybus Selections. Elizabeth, South Australia: Railmac Publications. pp. 7–10. ISBN 0 949817 68 6.
  4. McCrystal, John (2007). On the Buses in New Zealand. Oriental Bay: Grantham House Publishing. p. 85. ISBN 978 1 86934 101 5.
  5. Dunedin No 5 Tramway Historical Society
  6. Dunedin No 79 Tramway Historical Society
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