Trolleybuses in Schaffhausen

Origins and extensions The conversion of the Schaffhausen Waldfriedhof–Neuhausen Zentrum tramway to trolleybus operation was the consequence of a popular vote (referendum) held on 13 September 1964. The trams providing the service at the time were between 43 and 63 years old, the oldest being from the opening of the tramway in 1901. This was a branch off of the Waldfriedhof route at Ebnat. The new branch was served only in rush hour, and VBSH introduced a second trolleybus route number for it: Line 2, Neuhausen–Herblingertal. Revitalisation In the first decade of the 21st century, the continued existence of the Schaffhausen trolleybus system was called into question, on grounds of cost. The feasibility of switching to either diesel buses or gas powered buses was examined in detail. However, and following thorough discussions, the city council decided in 2008, for ecological reasons – and despite the slightly higher operating costs – to retain the electrically powered bus services. In September 2008, the City Parliament voted in favour of a corresponding resolution, paving the way for the acquisition of new low-floor articulated trolleybuses. On 1 May 2010, (EKS AG) took over from the Verkehrsbetriebe Schaffhausen the responsibility for maintenance of the trolleybus overhead wires. Meanwhile, planning began for a second trolleybus line. In the medium term, it was intended to convert the long motor bus line 3 (Sommerwies-Krummacker) to electrical operation. Such a conversion would have almost doubled the length of the overhead wire network. Closure After the motor bus fleet of VBSH was converted to battery electric buses, it was intended to discontinue the remaining trolleybus service in 2029 and convert line 1 accordingly. However, due to scheduled construction work along the route, which would have made it necessary to move the overhead lines, it was decided to convert line 1 to battery electric buses already in December 2025, closing the trolleybus system earlier than previously planned. However, VBSH decided to put two trolleybuses into service on 14 December, as extra runs added to the normal service, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. only and running fare-free, to give interested riders an opportunity for a farewell ride on a Schaffhausen trolleybus. The final day of trolleybus service was therefore Sunday, 14 December 2025, the first day of the winter timetable. == Routes ==

trolleybus No. 106 on line 1/2 (combined lines 1 and 2) in 1991 , Schaffhausen's single trolleybus route, designated as line 1, connected the Waldfriedhof in the town of Schaffhausen with the Herbstäcker residential area in the neighbouring municipality of Neuhausen am Rheinfall. Thus, it also connected the town with the Rhine Falls, a major tourist attraction. Previously, two other lines, numbered 2 and 9, were also operated by trolleybuses. Following two extensions, line 1 was long for trolleybuses travelling from Schaffhausen to Neuhausen and long for trolleybuses travelling in the opposite direction, from Neuhausen to Schaffhausen. == Fleet ==

First generation (Berna) -built Schaffhausen trolleybus no. 203 from 1966, shown here in service on the Valparaíso trolleybus system in 1996, still in its old livery. Schaffhausen's first generation trolleybuses, procured in 1966, were made by Berna, a Swiss manufacturer. They consisted of five articulated buses, nos. 101 to 105, and five rigid (two-axle) buses, nos. 201 to 205. As the non-articulated vehicles had been completed by time the system was opened, similar vehicles from the Winterthur trolleybus system were used initially to help out. while no. 203 remained in service for more than 24 years, until May 2017. Meanwhile, no. 101 was scrapped, and no. 104 went to Winterthur as spare parts. No. 202 now belongs to the Trolleybusverein Schweiz (Swiss Trolleybus Society) (TVS). An eleventh articulated vehicle, no. 106, was procured shortly after the launch of line 9. It was delivered in spring 1975 and entered service on 9 July 1975. Some of the second generation trolleybuses had their rollsigns replaced in their twilight years of service with modern dot-matrix displays. Third generation (Swisstrolley) Due to their advanced age, the second generation vehicles, which were of high-floor configuration, were replaced in 2011 by seven low-floor Carrosserie Hess articulated trolleybuses of type Swisstrolley 3 (fleet nos. 101 to 107). The city of Schaffhausen had decided on 20 April 2010 to order these new vehicles, at a total cost of . The first two Swisstrolleys arrived in Schaffhausen on 29 June 2011, and the last followed in September 2011. Six of these units were needed for normal operation of line 1, and the seventh vehicle was a reserve. With the early closure of the system in 2025, it is intended to sell the trolleybuses to other operators. ==See also==