Global Trolleybus Dialogue in Athens

Between 8th and 11th April Athen`s public transport company O.SY hosted UITP`s 42nd Trolleybus Committee meeting. Trolleybus officials from almost all over the world came together to discuss technical as well as economical questions of today`s trolleybus developements – especially the high potentials of IMC trolleybuses with the worldwide Green Deal.

O.SY as an important trolleybus operator was a perfect host for the international trolleybus community !

At the conference there were the first trolleybus generation – represented by trolleybus 704 (Fiat/CGE – 1939) as well as trolleybus 8064 (Neoplan/Kiepe – 2004) just coming from refit in O.SY`s workshops.

The city of Athen can be proud to operate one of the most extensive trolleybus networks in Europe. With a joint network of Athen and the neighbor city of Piräus the trolleybuses offer beside Metro, Rapid Transit Lines and tram a silent and efficent public transport in an area with a population of about 4 Millions. Some up to date figures of this impressive electric bus system:

Beside some historic trolleybuses for special events or awaitung restauration the stock consists of a fleet as following:

Serie 6000 : Neoplan/Kiepe - 1999/2000 - 37 trolleybuses in operation Serie 7000: VanHool/Alstom - 1999/2001 - 54 trolleybuses in operation Serie 8000: Neoplan/Kiepe - 2004 - 64 trolleybuses in operation Serie 9000: Neoplan/Kiepe - 2004 - 42 trolleybuses in operation (articulated)

For daily operation 117 trolleybuses are needed on weekdays, 86 on Saturdays and 60 for Sunday service.

The first trolleybus line in Athen opened in 1953 ans since 1988 there are links between the systems in Athen and Piräus. In the last years much was done by trolleybus management and staff to modernice the infrastructure as well keeping the ageing fleet in good condition. All frogs and crossings were rebuilt with Electroline (CZ) parts, and trolleybuses stll get an general overhoal which they leave as new. It is hoped that politicians recognice the importance of this electric bus system and give funds to develope it as ist happened in the 1970s and 1980s. The next steps towards the future of the system it is planned to:

So there is the hope that Athen`s trolleybuses run into a bright future as a form of real electromobility – so nescessary in this Megapolis of Attica.

Only once a year You can be safe, that You will meet some of the magnificant historic trolleybuses of O.SY – the trolleybus operator in Athen as well as in Piräus - can be seen in public streets on beautiful line 20 – the oldest trolleybusline in Attika.

It is a wellknown tradition that on Palm Sunday (the last Sunday before Easter) the trolleybus staff visits a festive service in church and afterwards there are historic rides with the oldest trolleybus in the system – 704 (Fiat/CGE – 1939) and/or 3077 (ZiU-9 – 1984) on line 20, which are adverticed days before on stops and in the regular trolleybuses of Line 20.

Trolleybuses started to work in this Greek harbour city in 1948 – originaly intended to open in 1940 the delay was because of WW II. The first line – today line 20 – was the one and only line until 1988 when two further lines (16 and 17) and a link to the Athen`s huge trolleybus system opened.

Today both systems are operated by O`SY and are linked by nun revenue wires for depot workings only. With about 164.000 people living in Piräus and three trolleybuslines, this imprtant city in Attika is well served by electric traction – not to forget the electric Railway Athen – Piräus (now Metro line 1) and the even nowadays electrified State Railway.

Visiters should not miss a ride on line 20 – running in narrow streets high above the harbour with extraordenary views to the sea.