Diesels have less up front cost. The savings from fuel costs and higher route speeds don't show up until the next administration, who will be the ones to pay the bill for this mistake.
I can see why people didn't like riding on the old trolleys. They didn't have low floors, so it was hard for people with walkers or strollers to get on and off. I used to ride the #5 to work almost every day, and if the driver drove too fast or carelessly through a wire junction, the trolley poles would come off, and that meant a 5-10 min. delay to get them back on.
They should have bought the new trolleys---they never did that. Plus they had a smooth ride, not as jerky as the old trolleys.
The trolley was used in depressed areas where people needed the low floors. Disabilities and age along with huge maintenance costs for them and the pulled down wire were factors as well. They were awful to drive and most drivers were newbies because the seasoned operators didn't want to have anything to do with them (except for that crazy trolley coalition of course)
Demolishing something that is built and in use, just to fill someone's pocket with money...
Everywhere in the world the same thing moves the interests. Never what is the best solution for a community. And what is always at the side of trolleybuses - everybody loves them compared to buses.
The idea that trolleys are too expensive is based on flawed and biased reports. Citizens for Better Transit has a pretty complete deconstruction of admininstrations recommendations for getting rid of trolleys.
Check out the Trolley Coalition's website for it, and a debunking of several other myths regarding trolleys.
Well, in Edmonton we had 7 trolley routes, 3 of which (the 5,7 and 9) have been suspended for construction. The other 4 routes (the 3,120,133 and 135) will run for two more years until the hybrids arrive. In Edmonton,we're working to get this decision reversed, as the reports used to justify elimination of trolleys were extremely flawed, and biased against the trolleys.
The motion was to phase out the trolleys, and replace them with diesel-electric hybrids in 2010. Hybrids have their place, and they are a replacement for diesels, but they cannot hold a candle to the trolleys.
Diesels have less up front cost. The savings from fuel costs and higher route speeds don't show up until the next administration, who will be the ones to pay the bill for this mistake.
Hikikomori013 3 weeks ago
I can see why people didn't like riding on the old trolleys. They didn't have low floors, so it was hard for people with walkers or strollers to get on and off. I used to ride the #5 to work almost every day, and if the driver drove too fast or carelessly through a wire junction, the trolley poles would come off, and that meant a 5-10 min. delay to get them back on.
They should have bought the new trolleys---they never did that. Plus they had a smooth ride, not as jerky as the old trolleys.
datalal624 2 years ago
The trolley was used in depressed areas where people needed the low floors. Disabilities and age along with huge maintenance costs for them and the pulled down wire were factors as well. They were awful to drive and most drivers were newbies because the seasoned operators didn't want to have anything to do with them (except for that crazy trolley coalition of course)
wolfycon 2 years ago
is the trolleys being replaced with diesel buses or hybrids i know diesel is probably recomanded
Tommybouchard2007 3 years ago
It's a stupid decision - that's my only opinion.
Demolishing something that is built and in use, just to fill someone's pocket with money...
Everywhere in the world the same thing moves the interests. Never what is the best solution for a community. And what is always at the side of trolleybuses - everybody loves them compared to buses.
olahjoci 3 years ago
The idea that trolleys are too expensive is based on flawed and biased reports. Citizens for Better Transit has a pretty complete deconstruction of admininstrations recommendations for getting rid of trolleys.
Check out the Trolley Coalition's website for it, and a debunking of several other myths regarding trolleys.
ETBMichael 3 years ago
my brother says that the city can't afford new trolley buses is that why the trolleys are being phased out
Tommybouchard2007 3 years ago
Well, in Edmonton we had 7 trolley routes, 3 of which (the 5,7 and 9) have been suspended for construction. The other 4 routes (the 3,120,133 and 135) will run for two more years until the hybrids arrive. In Edmonton,we're working to get this decision reversed, as the reports used to justify elimination of trolleys were extremely flawed, and biased against the trolleys.
ETBMichael 3 years ago
What were some of the reasons given for eliminating the trolleys?
adelgado75 3 years ago
The motion was to phase out the trolleys, and replace them with diesel-electric hybrids in 2010. Hybrids have their place, and they are a replacement for diesels, but they cannot hold a candle to the trolleys.
ETBMichael 3 years ago
So sad. I see immense shortsightedness in the decision.
jemdude22 3 years ago