Trolleybuses in Launceston, Tasmania facts for kids

The Launceston trolleybus system was a public transport network in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia. It used electric buses that got their power from overhead wires. This system ran from 1951 until 1968.

History of the Trolleybuses

The Launceston trolleybus system began operating on 24 December 1951. It took some time to get everything ready, including the buses and other equipment. The first route went from the Launceston city centre to Quarantine Road. It followed Wellington Street and replaced an older tram service.

A second route opened on 13 September 1952, going to Mowbray Heights. This line was later made longer, reaching Newnham Park on 21 November 1952. On 1 July 1955, the way the system was run changed. The Launceston City Council used to operate it. After this date, the Metropolitan Transport Trust took over.

More routes were added later. Lines to Basin Road and Quarantine Road (this time via Talbot Road) both opened on 24 February 1957. These routes helped create a service that crossed the city. The last new route opened to Norwood on 27 November 1961. The entire trolleybus network closed down in stages during 1968.

Trolleybus Routes and Services

Here are the routes that the Launceston trolleybuses used:

The Trolleybus Fleet

The Launceston system had 30 trolleybuses in its fleet. These buses were a type called BUT RETB/1. Their bodies were built in Adelaide by a company named JA Lawnton & Sons. Before coming to Launceston, each bus was tested on the Adelaide trolleybus network. In 1964, five of these trolleybuses were sold. They were then used on the Hobart trolleybus system.

The Trolleybus Depot

The place where the trolleybuses were kept and maintained was the Howick Street tram depot. This depot was made twice as big to make enough space for all the trolleybuses.