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Wuhan trolleybus route 1

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Trolleybus route 1
A Yangtze WG6124BEVH on Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge in May 2023
Overview
OperatorWuhan Public Transport Group Trolleybus Operating Company
Began service20 September 1958
Route
Route typeTrolleybus route
StartJinghan Avenue & Qianjin 1st Road
ViaZhongshan Avenue, Jianghan Bridge, Yingwu Avenue, Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge, Wuluo Road
EndShuiguohu Road & Shuiguohu station
Service
Level06:00-22:30

Trolleybus route 1 is a trolleybus route in Wuhan, China. Operating since 20 September 1958, it is the first bus route in Wuhan to be operated by trolleybuses. The route currently runs between Jinghan Avenue [zh] & Qianjing 1st Road[nb 1] and Shuiguohu Road & Shuiguohu[nb 2] stops, and is operated by Wuhan Public Transport Group [zh] Trolleybus Operating Company.[nb 3]

Planning for the route started in the 1950s, when the construction of a trolleybus system was of major public interest. Construction started in 1957, lasting one year, and test runs began in August 1958. An opening ceremony was held a month later, with attendees ranging from government officials to civilian representatives.

The route passes by several landmarks in the city, including shopping district Hanzheng Street [zh] and Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge, and formerly a Sun Yat-sen statue in Hankou. The route was described as "a specialty of Wuhan" and forms fond memories for locals.

History

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A Yangtze WG6120DHA exiting Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge in 2014

Initial planning

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In the 1950s, the main perception of communism among the general public in mainland China refers to "Soviet and electrification" as suggested by Vladimir Lenin. As a result, the topic of trolleybuses was of major public interest.[1] In 1955, Zhou Huanzhang was appointed Director of Wuhan Public Utilities Bureau and started to prepare for the establishment of a trolleybus company.[2]

In 1956, following the establishment of a preparatory office for trolleybus operations, a team of six engineers, after consultation with the construction team of Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge and experts from the Soviet Union, decided to model the network in Wuhan after systems in Soviet cities.[3] Construction works were put off to Autumn 1957, after the opening of the bridge.[1]

In March 1958, the design phase of trolleybus route 1 was completed, with the route running between Sanmin Road in Hankou and Dadongmen in Wuchang.[4]: 126  Between April to August, construction for various trolleybus facilities and equipment, including power supply rectification stations and a bus park, went underway. Test runs began on 25 August 1958.[3]

Opening ceremony

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On September 20, 1958, officials of various municipal offices of Wuhan and the trolleybus company held an opening ceremony in front of the headquarters of Wuhan Trolleybus Company on Wusheng Road to announce the establishment of the trolleybus company and the start of operations of trolleybus route 1.[5]: 318  A fleet of 25 trolleybuses then departed from the headquarters and split to depart from the two terminuses. Passengers on the first bus included officials as well as civilian representatives.[1] According to local newspaper Changjiang Daily, 30,000 people attended the opening ceremony. The paper also claimed that the opening of trolleybus route 1 was "the start of electrification for Wuhan's public transport industry."[4]: 126 

Subsequent developments

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In April 1960, the terminus in Wuchang was extended to Shuiguohu. The original route to Dongdamen remained in operations as a short-trip variant. It would later be split out and become trolleybus route 4 between Qiaokou and Wuchang Railway Station in 1972.[5]: 318 

The overall route of trolleybus route 1 remained unchanged for over 60 years. On 20 January 2023, the terminus in Hankou was rerouted to Jinghan Avenue & Qianjin 1st Road.[6]

Fleet

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When the route first started operations, the fleet consisted of Shanghai (present day Sunwin) Model 58 trolleybuses. In 1980, articulated trolleybuses were introduced on route 1.[1][3]

In 2015, the fleet of all trolleybus routes in Wuhan, including route 1, were converted to use battery trolleybuses. These buses use overhead wires to charge their batteries, and can travel whilst lowering their trolley poles when the battery is fully charged.[7]

Cultural significance

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Reception

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Trolleybus route 1 passed by various landmarks, including shopping district Hanzheng Street [zh], Jianghan Bridge [zh] and Yangtze River Bridge. When the route first opened, locals and even foreign visitors sought to buy tickets to ride the trolleybus line, with most passengers being tourists or shoppers. The route was described as "a specialty of Wuhan", and "visitors had to ride the route to appreciate the uniqueness of the city."[8]

Sun Yat-sen statue

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For nearly 65 years between 1958 and 2023, when the Hankou terminus was located at Sanmin Road, trolleybus route 1 circled around a Sun Yat-sen statue [zh] at the end of Sanmin Road while making a turnaround towards Wuchang. As a result, the sight of trolleybuses circling the statue with their poles raised became a fond memory of residents in the area.[9]

Notes

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  1. ^ Chinese: 京汉大道前进一路
  2. ^ Chinese: 水果湖路水果湖
  3. ^ Chinese: 武汉市公交集团电车营运公司

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Tian, Lianshen (2020-12-01). "武汉公交故事 ▏后城马路的电车梦". Weixin Official Accounts Platform. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  2. ^ Wuhan Local Chronicles Compilation Committee (1999). "人物志". 武汉市志 (in Chinese (China)). 28. Wuhan University Press: 175. ISBN 7-307-02758-5.
  3. ^ a b c Zheng, Liang (2019-12-27). "武汉长江大桥上的无轨电车，长江上唯一有电车行驶的大桥". Weixin Official Accounts Platform. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  4. ^ a b Ronghua Street Office of the People's Government of Qiaokou District, Wuhan (2019). 荣华街志 (in Chinese (China)). Wuhan: Wuhan Publishing House. ISBN 978-7-5582-3398-2.
  5. ^ a b Wuhan Jianghan District Local Chronicles Compilation Committee (2007). 江汉区志. Wuhan: Wuhan Publication House. ISBN 978-7-5430-3774-8.
  6. ^ "关于调整公交369、618、709、电车1路线路走向的公告-武汉市交通运输局". Wuhan Transportation Bureau. 2023-01-19. Archived from the original on 2024-09-03. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  7. ^ Hu, Die (2018-09-20). "武汉电车满60岁了，第一辆无轨电车长这样，你见过吗". Changjiang Net. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  8. ^ Zhou, Zhangliang; Liu, Yang (2020-12-22). "搭乘1路电车，穿越武汉62年". cnhubei.com. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  9. ^ "父辈的"铜人像"——六渡桥铜人像". Xinhai Revolution Net. 2023-12-26. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
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