Trolleybuses in Leeds
The trolleybus Leeds ( Leeds trolleybus system in English ) was an electrically powered transport in the metropolitan area of the English city of Leeds in the county of Yorkshire. The system consisted of 20 June 1911 to 26 July in 1928 and was operated by Leeds Tramways. Even before the network opened a short time later in the neighboring town of Bradford, it is the oldest trolleybus network in the United Kingdom. At times there were up to three routes.
In July 2012, the UK Department of Transport approved the project New Generation Transport ( NGT ), which provides for the creation of a modern O- bus system in Leeds. In the inaugural year 7-8 million passengers are sought. This would make it after setting the trolley bus system, the neighboring town of Bradford in 1972, again the first O- bus network with regular service in the UK.
- 2.1 planned route
- 2.2 provided vehicles
- 2.3 Planning History
Former system ( 20th century)
Opening
The first operated from Leeds Tramways O- line ran from City Square on Lower Wortley and Farnley to Moor Top.
The opening took place on 20 June 1911 the Thrisk Row, a side street of Wellington Street, in the city center instead. For the first ride two trolley buses were available which were controlled by Lord Mayor William Middlebrook and his deputy, Frederick James Kitson. The drive took us out to Farnley, about four miles away from Leeds, and back and took 45 minutes.
For this first line of four vehicles with Siemens motors were available, produced by the Railless Electric Traction Company. Each car could carry 28 passengers. Was paid upon boarding. To distinguish the trams trolley buses were called Trackless Cars. The trolleybus formed a supplement to the tram network and focused on less frequented routes in rural areas.
The vehicles used on the first line were Placed in a depot on Kirkstall Road.
Network expansion
1915 two more routes were opened, but had no connection to the existing line. For them, a depot was built in Guiseley, which exists to this day. The two new routes served the tram system as a feeder.
At the time of its greatest expansion was the first trolleybus system in the following routes:
- Lower Wortley Leeds ↔ ↔ ↔ Farnley Moor Top ( opened on 20 June 1911)
- Guiseley Otley ↔ (opened on 9 September 1915)
- Guiseley ↔ Burley -in- Wharfedale (opened on 22 October 1915)
Closure
However, the system did not prove to be very successful. There were always disagreements between the parties involved in the operation, so that with the advent of buses with internal combustion engine, the end of the trolley buses approached in Leeds after around 17 years. On 26 July 1928, the system was finally adjusted and dismantled later.
Planned system ( 21st century)
Planned route
Originally three different routes were planned, which should open up the north, south and east of Leeds, with large park-and- ride facilities have been provided at the end stations in the north and south:
- North Leeds City Centre ↔ Bodington ( Park & Ride with up to 800 parking spaces)
- South Leeds City Centre ↔ Stourton ( Park & Ride with up to 2,200 parking spaces)
- East: Leeds City Centre ↔ St. James's Hospital
In the city center was a loop tour of the streets The Headrow, Eastgate, being considered past the Leeds City Bus Station and Leeds Outdoor Market and on about York Street, New York Street, Call Lane, Duncan Street, Boar Lane, City Square and Park Row.
The northern route is to leave the inner ring road at the corner of Park Row and The Headrow, the southern line branches off at the intersection Boar Lane and Duncan Street in the Lower Briggate from. Add to St. James's Hospital, the route of York Street would continue to follow from the city center out to the east.
Provided vehicles
As vehicles storey articulated buses are provided to low-floor design with three or four entrances. An exact manufacturer or vehicle type is not yet fixed.
Planning process
In October 2009 the Department of Transport, the NGT project was presented as a Major Scheme Business Case.
In March 2010, the government approved the project and issued the zoning decision. For the northern section included an extension of Bodington Holt Park, for the southern route by Stourton and for connecting the two sections of the western part of the inner city ring financial support was approved by the government also approved, but not to the eastern part of the ring and the distance hospital.
On 5 July 2012, the Department of Transport approved the construction of the NGT route between Holt Park and Stourton. With the construction can be started after completion of the necessary preliminary tests. If everything goes as planned, the route could be opened in 2020.