Schaffhausen to close trolleybus operation since 1966

The northernmost city of Schaffhausen has taken a painful step for those who support this mode of transport: in 2026, 60 years after the first trolleybus service in Schaffhausen was launched, the city will finally get rid of its trolleybus network. The trolleybuses, which now operate on only one line and have been an integral part of the town's transport system for decades, will be replaced by purely electric buses.

The trolleybus operation in Schaffhausen began in September 1966, replacing the city's previous tram system. The switch was made because trolleybuses were considered a more modern, economical and flexible means of transport. The network initially operated on two main lines, connecting the city centre and the suburbs. The system has undergone many improvements over the decades, but in the early 2000s, the possibility of closing the plant and replacing the trolleybuses with diesel or gas-powered buses was raised. However, despite the slightly higher operating costs, the city ultimately decided to keep the plant, i.e. line 1, and to purchase new, low-floor articulated trolleybuses. In addition, planning for a second trolleybus line began, but this did not come to fruition.

The current fleet of seven Hess Swisstrolley 3s arrived in Schaffhausen in 2011. At that time, the city spent 10.5 million Swiss francs on modernizing the network, which included the purchase of vehicles with a Vossloh Kiepe drive system, two powered chassis and a diesel auxiliary unit, as well as the modernization of the power supply system. The city also equipped the trolleybuses, of which six are in service and one is a reserve vehicle, with IMC technology in 2019, meaning that the diesel auxiliary system was replaced by a lithium titanate oxide battery pack with a total capacity of 30 kWh that can be charged while driving, thus enabling zero-emission, limited autonomous driving. The development cost 1.575 million Swiss francs and was carried out by the manufacturer, Hess Carrosserie AG. The introduction of the IMC system in the city made it possible to remove overhead lines from some busy sections, which reduced maintenance costs and improved the cityscape. The expected return on investment was calculated for 2026, which coincides with the shutdown of the trolleybus system. Despite the advantages of IMC technology, the mode of transport could not be saved in Schaffhausen. The city government decided to permanently shut down the trolleybuses based on economic, technical and sustainability considerations and after careful consideration. Operation requires significant infrastructure maintenance costs, especially in terms of maintenance and repair of overhead lines, which are expensive and also limit the flexibility of the system.

The replacement was facilitated by the city's previously launched fleet electrification steps. As part of this, Schaffhausen has so far acquired 15 Irizar ie tram electric buses: eight 12-meter solo buses and seven 18-meter articulated buses. These will be followed by a further 7 articulated buses from the Spanish manufacturer, which will gradually replace the Hess trolleybuses, earlier than planned, in 2026.

The decision is mainly due to the major road construction works that will take place between Schaffhausen and Neuhausen am Rheinfall. The construction work would require the temporary relocation of the existing trolleybus lines, which would entail significant costs. Therefore, given that the overhead lines would have been dismantled by 2029 anyway, the additional costs make it neither economically nor otherwise justified to continue operating the trolleybuses. Magyarbusz [Info]

Diverse filmări cu fostele troleibuze NAW de la retragerea lor oficială din data de 25 septembrie 2011 și de la evenimentele speciale de rămas bun pentru aceste troleibuze:

Începând de astăzi, în zilele lucrătoare, din cauza lucrărilor la infrastructura stradală de pe Klettgauerstrasse, circulația troleibuzelor se va realiza doar până la stația „Neuhasen, Zentrum”. Distanța dintre „Neuhasen, Zentrum” și capătul de linie „Neuhasen, Herbstäcker” se va realiza cu autobuze.

De asemenea, în zilele libere, întreg traseul liniei 1 (Neuhasen, Herbstäcker - Schaffhausen, Waldfriedhof) va fi deservit cu autobuze.