Boston, MA – The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority or MBTA has revealed plans to replace their current trolleybuses on routes 71 and 73, with battery-electric buses.
MBTA plans to discontinue trolley bus (or trackless trolley) service on routes 71 and 73 in March 2022, and temporarily place traditional buses on the line. While traditional buses operate on the 71 and 73 lines, MBTA will upgrade the current Cambridge depot with electric chargers and capacity for battery buses. The MBTA will also remove the overhead wires along the lines. Once the upgrades are done, which is estimated to be in 2024, the 71 and 73 will operate with battery-electric buses.
The current trolleybuses were built by Neoplan USA in 2004, and have slowly but surely begun to show their age. While they don’t necessarily need to be removed from service just yet, the MBTA believes this is the right step towards an eventual all-electric fleet.
Currently, the MBTA runs trolley buses on routes 71, 73, and Silver Line routes , , and . Battery electric buses also currently exist within MBTA’s fleet, operating on Silver Line routes and .
For all fans and enthusiasts, this will be the time to get your photos and videos! You may not see trolleybuses for long.
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