Trolleybuses will return to the Austrian city of Innsbruck in 2029, starting this transition now. A firm order for the purchase of new battery-trolleybuses is about to be signed shortly under a joint framework agreement with Salzburg’s public transport operator.
Trolleybuses served the city twice – for the first time between 1944 and 1976 with 3 lines operated by 19 trolleybuses. Trolleybuses returned to this Alpine city between 1988 and 2007 with 2 lines operated by 26 trolleybuses.
Now the Republic of Austria and the city of Innsbruck decided to opt for a third time to bring trolleybuses back to this magnificent town – this time branded ‘eBus’: In a first step two lines will be built as an In-Motion-Charging (IMC) system: line C (operated by trolleybuses between 1944 and 1971) and line R (operated by trolleybuses between 1988 and 2006). In addition, even the night only lines N1 and N3 will be operated by trolleybuses starting in 2029. New overhead wires will be built over 18,2 km which cover part of the routes to be served while the remaining stretches of the lines are operated in battery mode. 20 new Hess lighTram® 19 DC which are part of a joint order with Salzburg AG (we reported HERE) will be ordered from the Swiss manufacturer next months. These battery trolleybuses have a 230 kW e-motor and a 69 kWh-Lithium-Ionen battery. Delivery is expected in 2029.
There are further plans to develop an even larger urban and regional IMC system but the first step now is secured by the funding of federal money to bring back trolleybuses to Innsbruck.
26.04.2026
