Bergen to receive the first Norwegian trolleybuses by Solaris

New trolleybuses are coming to Bergen. For the first time Solaris enters in the Norwegian trolleybus market.

The city operator Keolis Norge signed an order for 10 Solaris Trollino 18. In line with the agreement, with a total value of EUR 8 million, the deliveries of the Polish-made trolleybus to Norway will commence in September 2020 and the beginning of line operation is also scheduled for autumn 2020.

The same vehicle has been ordered by ATM Milan, which is protagonist of a framework agreement for 80 vehicles.

11 km off-wire for Solaris Trollino 18

The zero-emission vehicles realized by Solaris will be used to service the only maintained trolleybus line in Bergen, whose length is currently 7.5 km.

The Trollino 18 articulated trolleybuses ordered by Keolis will be powered by a 250 kW electric motor. The vehicles will also be equipped with 55 kWh traction batteries, thanks to which it will be possible to cover a distance of over 11 kilometers without the need to connect to the catenary system. The batteries will be charged while driving the trolleybus using ‘In Motion Charging’ technology (through current collectors mounted on the vehicle connected to the overhead contact line).

47 seats on board for Bergen new trolleybuses

As many as 47 seats will be fitted on board the Solaris Trollino 18 trolleybuses, all equipped with seat belts. 10 seats will be available from the low floor level, which will make it easier for passengers with reduced mobility to take up their seat. Interestingly, one of the seats behind the driver’s cabin will have the option of folding, thanks to which a place dedicated to the guide dog accompanying the blind will be created.

For those traveling on wheelchairs or with prams, two bays with straps will be provided, as well as a folding ramp located at the second door. The trolleybuses will of course be fully low-floor and have the so-called kneeling function, further lowering the right side of the vehicle by 7 cm when stopping at the stop.

Trolleybuses will also be equipped with CCTV system consisting of cameras monitoring the interior of the vehicle, door area cameras, a reversing camera and one on the roof, watching the pantograph. Above each of the doors, mounted in a 2+2+2+0 system, there will be passenger counting system installed.

“I am very happy to present the first trolleybuses of our brand in Norway. The fact that Bergen has opted for Solaris vehicles to operate the only trolleybus line in the country is a truly milestone event for us” – said Sverre Skaar, Managing Director of Solaris Norge AS, which will be responsible for LCC and after-sales service at the local depot in Bergen.