Solaris selling 80 trolleybuses to Milan

Solaris has sold articulated Trollino 18 trolleybuses to Milan. Signed on 21 May, the framework contract stipulates the supply of 80 vehicles in total. The first of these will be delivered mid-2019. Public transport operator ATM has been offered the option to order another 50 vehicles. The contract value amounts to 61,5 million euro.

“Right after the completion of the previous order, for 10 electric buses, ATM placed a new one. These will be our first trolleybuses in Milan. I am extremely happy that we can support the operator in its investment in the electrification of city transport. The inhabitants of Milan will certainly appreciate the exhaust-free and quiet electric drivelines used in the commissioned trolleybuses and of Solaris electric buses already carrying passengers through the city,” Alberto Fiore, Managing Director of Solaris Italia S.r.l. notes.

The Milanese Trollino 18 will be fitted with two traction motors with a power of 160 kW each. 45 kWh batteries allow the trolleybuses to continue driving for up to 15 km even when they are detached from the traction line. They will ensure e.g. further travel in case of a power supply failure or on route stretches devoid of power lines (for instance in the historical parts of the city). The trolleybuses can carry up to 135 passengers, including 31 sitting on seats.

An efficient air conditioning system provides comfort to all passengers. One of the safety standard improvements is the permanent monitoring of the insulation, from the bodyframe, of components powered by means of high-voltage cables. Should any irregularities be detected, the system will automatically lower the pantograph. The operator from Milan has commissioned a highly advanced monitoring system. It will include nine cameras and a rear-view camera, a 10” screen on the central console and a data logger. Moreover, the vehicles will be equipped with a passenger counting system.

The receipt of 10 Solaris Urbino 12 electric buses was completed in Milan in May. ATM ordered another 15 vehicles. The Polish producer has already supplied nearly 150 buses to Milan.
Next year, the articulated Trollino 18 trolleybuses will join that fleet. Even though these will be the first Polish trolleybuses in the capital of Lombardy, there are actually over 80 cruising in Italy, for instance in the cities of Bologne, Cagliari, Naples and Rome. Solaris has been present in Italy since 2003, having supplied over 900 buses and trolleybuses so far.