100 Years Ago - The Trackless Trolley Was The Most Philly Way To Go!
October 27, 2023
Known to the rest of the world as trolley buses - Philadelphia was the first city to regularly operate "trackless trolleys".
Trackless trolleys combine the best features of trolleys (minimal levels of noise and air pollution) with the flexibility of a bus (they can steer around obstructions in the street).
A trackless trolley is an electric bus that draws power from dual overhead wires (generally suspended from roadside posts) using spring-loaded trolley poles. Two wires and two trolley poles are required to complete the electrical circuit. This differs from a tram or streetcar which normally uses the track as the return path and needing only one wire and one pole (or pantograph). They are also distinct from other kinds of electric buses which usually rely on batteries.
A Philadelphia manufacturer began road-testing the trackless trolley technology in 1921.
Built by J.G. Brill Company in Southwest Philadelphia - the first tracklesses were introduced on October 14, 1923 on Oregon Avenue in South Philadelphia and were operated by the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company. It ran from 22nd & Passyunk to Delaware & Oregon Avenue in South Philadelphia. The first ride was filled with curious Philadelphians on a “joy ride” as described by The Inquirer at the time.
Philadelphia's second trackless route - Route 61 - began operation in 1941. Route 61 ran the length of Ridge Avenue from Venice Island (an industrial island bounded by the Schuylkill Navigation canal in Manayunk) to Center City at 8th & Locust (later 8th & Walnut).
Currently - there are around 300 trackless trolley systems in operation in cities and towns in 43 countries.
SEPTA/Philadelphia boasts the longest-running trackless trolley service in the entire Western Hemisphere and is the second oldest in the world behind Shanghai, China. San Francisco, CA and Seattle, WA also have trackless trolleys.
In August 2023 - TransLink in Vancouver, Canada celebrated their 75th anniversary operating trolley buses.
There are three (3) trackless trolley routes still operating in Philadelphia today: Route 59, 66, and 75.
The three routes operate out of Frankford Transportation Center, use 38 trolley buses, serve North/Northeast Philadelphia, and connect with SEPTA's Market–Frankford line and Broad Street Line.
New Flyer and Kiepe Electric supplied the current fleet of SEPTA's trackless trolley buses.
Route 59: Serving Northeast Philadelphia - runs from Castor Avenue at Bustleton Avenue to Arrott Transportation Center to Bells Corner in Rhawnhaurt, primarily along Oxford and Castor Avenues. For information about stops on this route use the Find My Stop tool on SEPTA.org or click here to view the schedule.
Route 66: Serving Northeast Philadelphia - it connects the Market–Frankford Line at the Frankford Transportation Center to Wissinoming, Mayfair, Holmesburg, and Torresdale along Frankford Avenue, which is US 13. This is a Night Owl Service route that continues to operate after midnight. For information about stops on this route use the Find My Stop tool on SEPTA.org or click here to view the schedule.
Route 75: Serving North and Northeast Philadelphia: It connects to the Market–Frankford Line at Arrott Transportation Center Station, and runs primarily along Wyoming Avenue. Route 75 connects to the Wyoming (BSL station) local line and goes to Wayne Junction in Nicetown. For information about stops on this route use the Find My Stop tool on SEPTA.org or click here to view the schedule.
Philly was an early adopter of the trackless trolley - as it had its advantages. The vehicles are quieter and greener than other buses. But trackless trolleys generally lost the race against their diesel-powered counterpart.
Today - SEPTA has one of the largest hybrid bus fleets on the road and in February 2023 - the SEPTA Board approved a contract for the purchase of 10 fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs) made in the United States by New Flyer of America.
