[HD] The Time TransLink Almost Bought EUROPEAN TrolleyBuses

Hello, and welcome back to the channel!
As we get ready for Vancouver's 75th anniversary of trolleybuses, August seems to naturally be TrolleyBus month on the channel this year. We kick things off with the time TransLink not being the face of New Flyer's "Restyled" lineup.
In 2003 the agency was looking to replace the existing E901A/E902 Fleet dating back to 1982/1983. TransLink ultimately went with the New Flyer option, but in this video we explore an option that was passed up for $35 Million less. Not many know that TransLink awarded a contract to ETI, a firm which involved Skoda in the Czech Republic.
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Cover image:
flic.kr/p/NxumEU
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[@jmstransit]

UPDATE:
MASSIVE RFP was sent out today for 600+ equivalent 40ft trolley units. The base order is for up to 107 40ft units along with 201 40ft units and 204 artics.
I have videos scheduled for upload but the longer the Canucks are in the playoffs the longer this may have to wait.

[@ETBMichael]

If Skoda had won the 2003 bid for the trolley order, it wouldn't have been "European" trolleys, or even ETI's like San Francisco or Dayton. The bid was a joint Skoda/Neoplan venture, so the buses would have had Neoplan bodies (similar to Boston's trolley fleet) if they had won.

[@jmstransit]

Looks like there will need to be a follow-up video then

[@electrourbantrans1018]

Great video! But you made a fact-mistake Balkan cities, Riga and Kiev have already scrapped their Skoda 14Tr, some of them did it two or three years ago, but Kiev and Riga did it much earlier - 10 years ago or so... There are some cities in Ukraine and Slovakia and Moldova which use these trolleybuses. Also Russia has some Skoda in operation, as I remember in Velikiy Novgorod.

[@jmstransit]

Thanks - was going by the Wikipedia list based on how many were still active.
The SOLARIS demo in Vancouver is pretty exciting, apparently there are reps from Seattle and San Francisco up here checking out the Trollino they sent over. Later next week there’s supposed to be a big event.

[@samyouisnt7557]

the other day i saw 2nd gen mark 2 trains on the millennium line which was rare. u should also review the 150 route on a weekend when its busy because why not

[@samyouisnt7557]

that bus often gets packed on weekends in the morning and late afternoon

[@Jintsoo]

Great video once again. Where did you find the fleet replacement schedule if I may ask?

[@jmstransit]

This is in the Metro Vancouver November 2021 Finance and Intergovernment Committee Meeting. Idk, search it on google, should be in a PDF

[@FreePca_craftytubeontt]

the solaris you showed is the trollino 12 iii not the iv the newer one that is there

[@SumiTheTransitFan]

Will you be documenting the 75th celebration of our trolleys with the brills?

[@jmstransit]

At least one video coming out!

[@SumiTheTransitFan]

Can't wait for the vid to come :D

[@bchydrotransit]

The NFI XT40 and XT60 would be the best option

[@ItzCole1]

we need XT 40/60s

[@JosephLikesTransit]

Is it true that these TrolleyBuses will be replaced by air condition units in 2027

[@jmstransit]

Oh definitely

[@nose10620]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Karina-gc9us]

Actually they will buy Trolleys from Polish Company Solaris.

[@jmstransit]

Im not convinced. There was a demo in town but the RFP has not gone out yet.