User:Nico1505/Trolleybuses in Ploiești

The trolleybus network in Ploiești provides electric transport in the city alongside the tram network.

Historic
Trolleybuses were introduced in Ploiești on September 1, 1997, with route 201, Pod Înalt - Hale Coreco. The network, with a length of 7600m single track, was served by 5 Rocar 312E trolleybuses. In 2001, the network extends to the South Station, creating line 202, served by the 5 Rocar trolleybuses, but also by 5 second-hand Berliet ER100 trolleybuses purchased in 1999 from the city of Saint-Etienne.

After the establishment of line 202, line 201 was used only during the summer season when the Boulevard of Independence was closed.

In 2006, the trolleybus network was extended along Elena Doamna, Malu Roșu, Podul Înalt and Şoseaua Vestului streets, creating line 244, today called 44. Also, a connecting line was built between Malu Roșu and Gheorghe Cantacuzino streets, having the role of introducing the trolleybuses of this line onto the route. At the same time, line 44H was born: Malu Rosu-Hale Coreco having the same role as line 201, being used during the summer on weekends. Also in 2006, 15 FBW 91 GTS trolleybuses from the city of Geneva are bought to supplement the trolleybus requirement, bringing the total to 25.

In 2010, the City Hall purchased 24 Neoplan N6121 trolleybuses that completely replaced the fleet, thus retiring all 25 old trolleybuses.

In the same year, routes 44H and 201 are completely abolished and the contact network is dismantled, thanks to the fuel-powered auxiliary engines of the Neoplan Trolleybuses that allowed them to reach the South Station area bypassing the Boulevard, independent of the electrical network.

In 2014, the trolleybus network along the Soseaua Vestului street was modernized along with the tram network.

In 2021, the City Hall is purchasing a number of 20 new Solaris Trollino 12 trolleybuses that have replaced 19 Neoplan trolleybuses. 5 Neoplan trolleybuses remaining used as emergency reserves. In the same year, thanks to the Solaris trolleybuses fully dependent on the network, the network of route 201 is rebuilt after 11 years, and lines 44H and 201 are re-established bearing the callsigns 44S and 202S.

In 2022, 2 more Neoplan trolleybuses out of the 5 were withdrawn. A decision of the City Hall shows the intention of scrapping the 21 withdrawn pieces.

Routes

 * Malu Roșu - Gara de Sud
 * Pod Înalt - Gara de Sud
 * Malu Rosu - Hale Coreco ( only runs when Bulevardul Independeței is closed )
 * Pod Inalt - Hale Coreco ( only runs when Bulevardul Independeței is closed )

Fleet
The current fleet of trolleybuses consists of 3 Neoplan trolleybuses and 20 Solaris trolleybuses for the transport of passengers and 1 Rocar trolleybus used for the maintenance of the contact network.