Trolleybuses in Naples () provide a portion of the public transport service in the city and comune of Naples, in the region of Campania, southern Italy. From 1964 to 2015, two independent trolleybus systems were in operation, both publicly owned, but only that of (ANM) remains in operation. The ANM system opened in 1940, whereas the smaller trolleybus network of (CTP) opened in 1964.Murray, Alan (2000). World Trolleybus Encyclopaedia, p. 69. Yateley, Hampshire, UK: Trolleybooks. .
CTP was dissolved in 2022 as a result of longstanding financial difficulties, and the last trolleybus operation on that system occurred in August 2015. Its trolleybus route was transferred to AIR Mobilità, but AIR has not reinstated the long-suspended trolleybus service, and this does not appear to be planned.
As of 2023, the ANM trolleybus system has four routes. Until the closure of the CTP system, Naples had been (since 2006) one of only two metropolitan areas possessing two independent trolleybus systems, the other being São Paulo, Brazil.Webb, Mary (ed.) (2011). Jane's Urban Transport Systems 2011-2012, pp. "" and "" (in foreword). Coulsdon, Surrey (UK): Jane's Information Group. .
History The first trolleybus service in Naples was inaugurated on 8 May 1940 by (English: Tramway-Trolleybus Company of Naples) (ATAN), which also operated the urban tram system. At its maximum extent, the ATAN system had 31 trolleybus routes (albeit, counting many shortworkings and variations with overlapping sections). ATAN was reorganised in 1995Isgar, Carl (November–December 2008). "In the Shadow of Vesuvius - Part 1". Trolleybus Magazine No. 282, pp. 122–129. National Trolleybus Association (UK). . as the (ANM).
The (TPN), a separate company that operated suburban buses and a suburban tramway, opened the second trolleybus network in Naples on 26 January 1964 on a route connecting central Naples with Piazzale della Libertà in Secondigliano. This unnumbered route was extended by several kilometres to Aversa in 1967, after which time the TPN system was often referred to as the "Naples–Aversa" trolleybus system in transport publications. In 1978, TPN was reorganised as the (CTP), renamed in 2001 to (still CTP). The routes were given numbers in the early 1980s, the two routes at that time being M13 (Naples – Aversa) and M15 (Naples – Secondigliano/Rione 167).Morgan, Steve (November–December 2004). "Alfa Romeo Swansong". Trolleybus Magazine No. 258, pp. 126–129. The M prefix stood for Maddalena depot (also known as Doganella depot, located on Viale Maddalena in Naples),Trolleybus Magazine (TM) No. 229 (January–February 2000), p. 18. National Trolleybus Association. TPN's/CTP's only trolleybus depot/garage for many years. That depot closed in 1999, and after two years of temporary accommodation in leased facilities, CTP's trolleybuses moved to Teverola depot in 2001, but the trolleybus routes retained their longstanding M prefix to avoid confusion among riders.
All of the overhead trolley wiring in central Naples is owned by ANM, the limit of the CTP-owned wiring being the southwest end of Via Don Bosco (just east of Piazza Carlo III). However, CTP trolleybuses were allowed to operate through to Piazza Garibaldi (along Corso Garibaldi), powered from ANM-owned wires, under a longstanding agreement between the two public agencies.
Current services Five of the eight trolleybus routes operating in 2008 were suburban routes, connecting Naples with other municipalities, while the other three (routes 201–203) were operating entirely within Naples proper. As of 2021, CTP route M13 and ANM route 254 are the only suburban routes remaining, with route 255 having closed and other ANM routes being indefinitely suspended, while urban routes 201, 202 and 204 in operation.
The following ANM trolleybus routes are operating in 2023: 201 Piazza Carlo III – Piazza Cavour – Via Medina 202 Piazza G.B. Vico – Piazza Garibaldi – Via Medina 204 Ospedale Cardarelli – Capodimonte – Via Depretis 254 Naples/Via Nicolini (Ponti Rossi) – Portici (Piazza Poli) (terminus known as Bellavista until 2001)
On the CTP trolleybus system (transferred AIR Mobilità in 2022), no routes remain in operation, and the last day of service was 6 August 2015. After mid-2012,TM No. 308 (March–April 2013), p. 48. . the CTP system had only one trolleybus route, route M13 from Naples (Via Casanova) to Aversa and Teverola. Since August 2015, it was operated solely by diesel busesTrolleybus Magazine (TM) No. 353 (September–October 2020), p. 190. National Trolleybus Association (UK). .–initially temporarily but this situation remained unchanged when CTP was dissolved in April 2022 and its trolleybus route transferred to AIR, which has not reinstated trolleybus operation on the route.
ANM route history
20th century
21st century In 2009, ANM was operating the following six trolleybus routes:Trolleybus Magazine (TM) No. 288 (November–December 2009), p. 139. 201 Piazza Carlo III – Piazza Cavour – Via Medina/Piazza Municipio 202 Piazza G.B. Vico – Piazza Garibaldi – Via Medina 203 Parcheggio Brin – Piazza Cavour/Via Broggia (temporarily suspended) 254 Naples/Via Nicolini (Ponti Rossi) – Portici (Piazza Poli) (terminus known as Bellavista until 2001) 255 Naples/Piazza Carlo III – Torre del Greco 256 Naples/Piazza Garibaldi* – San Giorgio a Cremano
= (extended to Piazza Municipio in September 2009)
Route 203 was the newest route, having opened on 2 September 2009.Trolleybus Magazine (TM) No. 288 (November–December 2009), p. 139. Routes 201 and 202 opened in 2004 and 2006,TM No. 268 (July–August 2006), pp. 85–86. respectively. The three then-surviving suburban routes were much older; routes 254 and 255 opened in January 1962 and route 256 in May 1963.
In September 2009, service on the outer half of route 255, between Portici and Torre del Greco, was replaced by a motorbus shuttle route that was planned to be temporary, because of road work in Ercolano. The temporary route was numbered 655, and trolleybus service on route 255 was limited to Piazza San Ciro in Portici, as temporary route 255-barrata (255/). However, in 2014, ANM announced that trolleybus service on the 4-km outer section of route 255 would not be reinstated after all, and that route 255 (and 255/) were permanently closed, effective November 2014.Trolleybus Magazine No. 320 (March–April 2015), pp. 56, 58. National Trolleybus Association (UK). . The reason given was that the municipality of Ercolano had changed the traffic flow on one of the streets route 255 had used, the section of Corso Resina between Via Roma and Via IV Novembre, from two-way to one-way eastbound, but that Ercolano had declined to provide any funding for new trolleybus overhead wiring along the new westbound routing. Route 255, which at around 13 km had been ANM's longest trolleybus route, was replaced by ANM bus route 155.
Meanwhile, starting April 2012 route 256 was cut back from San Giorgio a Cremano to Croce Lagno in western Portici and renamed 256-barrata (256/), due to unstable buildings along the route in San Giorgio needing repair. This was due to be temporary, until the buildings are repaired, but route 256-barrata, too, was suspended in April 2016;Trolleybus Magazine No. 336 (November–December 2017), p. 228. National Trolleybus Association (UK). . in its shortened form (terminating at Croce Lagno), it was effectively only a short-working of route 254.
Route 203 was suspended indefinitely in May 2016, due to road work, leaving routes 201, 202 and 254 as the only ANM trolleybus routes in operation, and plans to reinstate route 203 were later dropped.Trolleybus Magazine (TM) No. 361 (January–February 2022), p. 34. National Trolleybus Association (UK). .
On 25 June 2021, trolleybus route 204 (Via Depretis-Piazza Museo Nazionale-Cardarelli Hospital) was opened, replacing bus line 604 (numbered R4 until July 2018), restoring the total number of routes in operation to four.Trolleybus Magazine No. 359 (September–October 2021), pp. 196, 198. It includes one section along Corso Amedeo di Savoia, around 200 metres long, that is not equipped with overhead trolley wires, and the trolleybuses must traverse it using their auxiliary diesel engines.
CTP route history
The first trolleybus line of CTP's predecessor, TPN, opened in January 1964, connecting central Naples with Piazzale della Libertà in Secondigliano. This unnumbered route was extended by several kilometres to Aversa in 1967. The wiring to Piazzale della Libertà then effectively became a short branch off of the main CTP trolleybus route. In July 1980, that branch was extended to a developing high-rise residential area in Secondigliano known as Rione 167. TPN was reorganized as CTP in 1978. In the early 1980s, the two routes were assigned numbers for the first time, M13 being the Naples–Aversa route and M15 being the Naples–Secondigliano–Rione 167 route.
21st century As of 2008, the CTP system had two trolleybus routes: M11 Metro line 1's Piscinola Scampia station – Aversa – Teverola M13 Naples/Piazza Garibaldi (Napoli Centrale railway station) – Aversa – Teverola
Route M13 was extended from Aversa to Teverola in December 2001, and route M15 (Naples–Secondigliano) was withdrawn at that time. With a one-way length of approximately 22 km,TM No. 280 (July–August 2008), p. 91. route M13 is the longest trolleybus route in western Europe. All of the wiring of route M15 that was unique to that route remains in place. Route M11 began operation in June 2005, but did not require any new wiring; its 2 km section closest to Piscinola metro station was not equipped with overhead wires, and the trolleybuses serving the route used their auxiliary diesel engines along that section, while the remainder of the route used overhead wiring already in place for route M13.TM No. 264 (November–December 2005), p. 137. .
At an unknown date no later than spring 2011, route M13 was cut back in central Naples from Piazza Garibaldi to Via Casanova, which had previously been its terminus from 2001 to 2005.TM No. 302 (March–April 2012), p. 44.
Route M11 was withdrawn in spring 2011, as part of a group of service reductions, leaving CTP with only one trolleybus route: M13 Naples/Via Casanova – Aversa – Teverola
Service on route M13 had long been a mix of trolleybuses and motorbuses, and use of trolleybuses was intermittent in the 2010s, due to a succession of road projects or other disruptions along the route. The route became fully motorbus-operated in 2013 (indefinitely).TM No. 319 (January–February 2015), p. 22. Trolleybus service resumed around spring 2015, but the resumption was short-lived. All trolleybus service was again temporarily suspended on 6 August 2015, following an accident in which an overheight truck tore down around of overhead trolleybus wiring south of Capodichino.TM No. 327 (May–June 2016), p. 88. Some repair work on the overhead wires was undertaken, but trolleybus service remained suspended in 2020. Some new trolleybus wiring was installed at CTP's Teverola depot in August 2016.TM No. 333 (May–June 2017), p. 108. .