Trolleybuses

BUT 23

Lancia 131

In May 1959 the first trolleybuses were introduced to replace the tram. The lines to VN de Gaia, Campanhã and Lordelo were the first to be converted. Also branches were effectuated through streets were no trams had been. Gradually the network did grow in east and north-east directions. The system was at its maximum extend in the seventies and eighties with a network length of over 40 km and more than 100 trolleybuses on duty.

BUT (1-20 & 21-26)

Trolleybus operation in 1959 did start with 20 BUT's (British United Trolley) with seating for 32. They had a chassis from Leyland and a 99 kW electric motor from Metropolitan-Vickers.

In 1963 they were followed by another 6 vehicles of the same type, but with three doors instead of two and seating reduced to 20.

Lancia single-deck (27-51)

In 1966/7 the single-deck trolleybus fleet was extended by 25. The bodies were made by Dalfa. The chassis came from Lancia's with a 110 kW GCE electric motor. Seating was for 29. The bodies came from This type was nicknamed "Italianos".

Lancia double-deck (101-150)

Together with the Italianos, 50 double-deck trolleybuses were acquired from the same suppliers. Seating was for 68 and they had a two-man crew. In 1990 they were converted for one-man operation. In 1995 they were withdrawn.

Éfácéque (61-75)

15 trolleybuses were acquired in 1983/4 from Salvador Caetano. The 131 kW electric motor came from Éfácéc with components from Kiepe. They also had an auxillary 50 kW Diesel motor from Hatz.

Éfácéque articulado (161-170)

10 articulated articulated trolleybuses were delivered by the same suppliers in 1984/5. They were technicaly equal to the smaller type but had electric motors of 209 kW.

The End

Although the last new vehicles were purchased in 1985, the trolleybuses disappeared rapidly from the streets rather soon after that moment. The last line was converted to motorbus operation in December 1997. Six trolleybuses (1, 23, 43, 102, 74 & 167) are stored for a future museum, but the last two went to Coimbra in 2003.

Except for the museum trolleybuses, the BUT's and most of the Lancia's were scrapped in or soon after 1995. Only double-deck 118 & 137 survived,longer, but in derelict condition. The Éfácécs went in October 2000 to Almaty.

BUT 18

Caetano 65