New Zealand Trolleybuses

When I first visited New Zealand in 1978, three major cities, Auckland, Dunedin and Wellington were served by trolleybuses.

In 1978, the Auckland trolleybus system was much reduced in size from its maximum extent, there being only three routes remaining, the Queen Street shuttle, the Farmers' free shuttle (which served a major city department store) and one suburban route to Herne Bay. In 1978, the Dunedin system had four routes, and was facing closure. Only the trolleybus system in the capital city, Wellington appeared in a healthy state.

By the time of my second New Zealand visit in 1987, only the Wellington trolleybus system remained, having been modernised with the addition of Volvo trolleybuses and a small number of Ansaldo trolleybuses, initially ordered as part of a planned modernisation of the Auckland trolleybus system.

As of the year 2008, at the time of my third New Zealand visit, the Wellington trolleybus system remains in operation, having been privatised by its original operator, Wellington Corporation Transport, and sold to Stagecoach Wellington. The system is now operated by Infratil, operating under the name Go Wellington.

The Wellington trolleybus system is somewhat reduced in size compared with 1987, with some routes and a depot having been closed, and the trolleybus fleet size having been reduced in number. However, after consideration of system closure, new trolleybuses are now being delivered, with several prototype new series trolleybuses, constructed by Designline of Ashburton, in operation at the time of my visit.

The following is a selection of trolleybus images from each of my 1978, 1987 and 2008 visits.

Auckland Regional Authority 107 was photographed in 1978 in Queens Street, central Auckland on the Queen Street shuttle service bound for the Railway Station. This trolleybus was built in 1958, and withdrawn from service in 1980. It had a Park Royal body on a British United Traction chassis, with British Thomson-Houston electricals. As may be seen, these trolleybuses were specially painted for this shuttle service.

Dunedin Corporation Transport trolleybus 33 was photographed in Princes Street, central Dunedin in May 1978, waiting to depart for Opoho. This trolleybus was built in 1953 and withdrawn from service in 1982. It had a New Zealand Motor Bodies body on a British United Traction chassis, with Metropolitan Vickers electricals.

Dunedin BUT trolleybus 43 was photographed bound for Opoho in May 1978. Note the pram hooked on the front of the trolleybus. This trolleybus was built in 1954 and withdrawn from service in 1982.

Dunedin trolleybus 77 was photographed at the Dunedin Depot with two others in May 1978. This trolleybus entered service in 1962 and was withdrawn from service in 1982. It had a British United Traction chassis on a body built by Dunedin City Council Transport Department, with Metropolitan Vickers electricals. This trolleybus is now preserved at Foxton.

Dunedin trolleybus 77 was photographed in Princes Street, Dunedin, bound for Opoho in May 1978.

Wellington trolleybus 23 was photographed bound for the Railway Station in May 1978. This trolleybus entered service in 1954 and was withdrawn from service in 1983. It had a British United Traction chassis on a body built by Commonwealth Engineering (Australia), with Metropolitan Vickers electricals.

BUT Trolleybus 43 was photographed alongside Scammell Lorries trolleybus 54 at Kilbirnie Depot in 1978.

Wellington trolleybus 88 was photographed bound for the Railway Station in May 1978. This trolleybus entered service in 1964 and is now preserved by the Wellington Omnibus Society. It has a Scammell Lorries chassis, English Electric electricals and bodywork by Metro-Cammell Weymann.

In 1987, Wellington trolleybus 88 was photographed at the former Depot located off Courtenay Place. Volvo 255 was alongside.

Three trolleybuses are visible in this 1978 picture taken outside Wellington Railway Station. From left to right, BUT trolleybus 22, Scammell Lorries trolleybus 57 and Scammell Lorries trolleybus 113. 113 has a Scammell Lorries chassis, English Electric electricals and bodywork by New Zealand Motorbodies, noting its different appearance to 57.

Wellington trolleybus 129 was photographed at the former Depot off Courtenay Place in November 1987. This trolleybus entered service in 1983 and was withdrawn from service in 1995-96 and subsequently converted to diesel operation. I am advised that it has now been withdrawn from service. It was originally built for service in Auckland, but never operated there, when a decision was made to close the Auckland trolleybus system. It had a Volvo B10M chassis, Ansaldo electricals and bodywork by New Zealand Motor Bodies/Hess. Note the airconditioning unit on the roof.

Wellington trolleybus 267 was photographed at the former Depot in November 1987. This trolleybus entered service in 1986 and but has been withdrawn. It has a Volvo B58 chassis, Brown Boveri electricals and bodywork by Coach Works International.

Volvo Trolleybus 218 was photographed bound for Courtenay Place in 1987.

Wellington Volvo Trolleybus 223 was photographed in Courtenay Place on 7 January 2008 in Stagecoach Wellington livery.

Volvo Trolleybus 260 was photographed in Courtenay Place on 7 January 2008.

An onside view of prototype trolleybus 302 in Go Wellington livery waiting to turn from Courtenay Place into Taranaki Street on 7 January 2008.

An offside view of prototype trolleybus 302 in Courtenay Place on 7 January 2008.