Quote:
Originally Posted by fenwick16
One problem with electric trolley buses are the overhead power lines which look very unattractive in a city. Also they are confined to a specific path whereas buses aren't. Halifax has introduced new hybrid buses which are far more economical and cleaner than the old diesel buses. I don't see any advantage to any system that shares the road with cars such as streetcars. Living in the Toronto area, I have to navigate the streetcar tracks whenever I go downtown and it is a nightmare for people in cars. Also, sharing the road with a streetcar is like sharing the road with a heavy train (it is intimidating when driving a car). Again, I really think that buses are superior, especially the new hybrid buses.
Living in the Toronto area, I am somewhat spoiled as far as transit goes. In my opinion, other than a subway or GO-like rail transit system, which have their own right of way, the new Halifax hybrid buses seem superior to both trolley cars and streetcars.
PS: If Halifax had of kept its streetcar system from the early 1900's then it would be a great tourist attraction like the San Francisco system is. However, the modern Toronto system doesn't even have that going for it. I honestly don't know why Toronto continues to operate them.
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Your comments are right on the money, Fenwick. Urban trolleys sound romantic, but not very practical. The caveat is an historical line that doubles as a tourist attraction/ city ambiance, or perhaps a funicular line on a mountainous route. Hybrid or hydrogen buses and a BRT system make much more sense for a city the size and density of Halifax.