Electric Buses - Experience from Zurich

Interesting ideas from Zurich

Other Towns and Cities can help inform how Guildford develops. 

Zurich has an extensive Bus and Tram network which serves a population of 400,000 in the city and 1.3M across the wider Zurich Area. 

They are moving to make the entire bus fleet electric. In part this is by extending their existing Trolleybus System either by more wiring or using Trolleybus's with batteries to provide extensions to the lines.  Pure battery electric buses will be used on some routes.

A short film describes what Zurich are trying to achieve.  The Film contains 3 points of interest for Guildford.

1. Shows the ease that Trolleybuses convert to and from being powered by the wires or batteries.  Although Trolley Buses are a unlikley option for Guildford it shows how easily charging and changing can be accomplished.
2. The use of Computer controlled bus lanes including single lane bus lanes signalled for two way operation.
3. Finally a interesting comment on what buses to use when 
   1. Small Buses - Batteries
   2. Moderate Use Battery with Fast Charging points
   3. Heavy Use Trolley Buses with Battery used for short circa 10km extension to routes.

There is also a longer video describing how the total transport system is evolving in Zurich which is of interest.