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Why isn't Translink expanding the trolleybus network if they want to electrify? Also what even is the state of bus electrification lately? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Just curious because I ride the trolleybuses a lot and they seem, at least to me, like they're already the solution to electrifying bus transit in Vancouver. What was Translink's rationale for going with battery busses instead of adding trolley wires to new routes and electrifying using a method they already have experience with instead of relying on proprietary and presumably very expensive fast charging points?

What do you think? Should they still go with trolleybuses for electrification or use battery busses instead?

Actually, does anyone know how Translink's battery electrification project is coming along? I haven't seen the battery busses on the Marine Drive corridor for a while and can't tell if they're still running them. Is the pilot project over and do they plan on implementing it for real?

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 7 months ago

All the trolley bus routes were originally streetcar routes built out a century ago. Tbh I'm not aware of them ever installing new trolley bus routes.

Trolley lines are going to be expensive to install and maintain. Even without fast chargers they still need similar equipment to convert to DC for the trolley wires.

A quick search gave me a TransLink report which probably has some good details: https://www.translink.ca/-/media/translink/documents/about-translink/policies/translink_low_carbon_fleet_transition_plan_2020_02_24.pdf

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago

Nooo those trolley buses are way too slow and have issues where they get disconnected at times. Too many people already drive their own vehicles because public transit is too slow for them; replacing fast gas buses with slower vehicles would likely result in more burning of fossil fuel, not less. I had to ride a trolley bus for years as part of my commute and I hated that route. I'd be way more likely to buy my own vehicle if all routes became that slow and frustrating.

[–] [email protected] -4 points 7 months ago

Dude.

busses

buses

Trust spell check.