page_title: Trolleybuses in Modena
section_title: Revival
hierarchical_section_title: Trolleybuses in Modena / History / Revival
caption_attribution_description: English: Modena, Italy trolleybus 18, a 1986 Socimi 8820 (also Fiat model 2470.12), is laying over at the Viale dello Zodiaco terminus of route 11 in 2007, wearing a paint scheme ATCM adopted for its fleet in the late 1990s. It was refurbished in the early 2000s by a local firm, Albiero &amp; Bocca.
context_page_description: The Modena trolleybus system forms part of the public transport network of the city and comune of Modena, in the region of Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy.
  In operation since 1950, the system has undergone several phases of expansion and contraction over the decades, including a re-launching since the start of 2000. It presently comprises three lines, and is one of the largest trolleybus systems in Italy.
context_section_description: In the mid-1990s, the outlook for the trolleybus system improved greatly, as a plan (known as the "Husler Plan", after its editor, the Swiss engineer Willi Husler) was prepared for the reform of the entire system.  It provided for upgrades and extensions, and the opportunity was taken to rebuild the system to the most modern dictates, by reconstructing the overhead wire to make it suitable for higher speeds, and increasing the voltage from 600 V to 750 V.
  All of these extensive works necessitated the suspension of all trolleybus service from 30 October 1995 until May 2000.  In addition to the infrastructure upgrade and expansion, fleet improvements were also approved.  ATCM placed an order for 10 new articulated, low-floor trolleybuses with Modena-based Autodromo (with MAN chassis), and also made plans to refurbish the 14 Socimi vehicles, which needed modification to enable them to operate at the planned higher voltage.  The Socimi trolleybuses were also fitted with auxiliary batteries permitting limited movement away from the overhead trolley wiring.  The first Autodromo vehicle was delivered in spring 1999.
  In 2000, trolleybus service in Modena resumed after a nearly four-year suspension.  The return of trolleybuses was ceremonially marked on 13 May 2000 by the operation of two decorated Autodromo trolleybuses through the city centre, without passengers, and the display of a preserved vintage Modena trolleybus, 1959-built Fiat/Cansa no. 33.  The actual resumption of trolleybus service occurred two days later, on Monday, 15 May 2000, with the reopening of the renovated line 7. The new Autodromo articulated trolleybuses entered service on that date.
  The reopening of line 6 to trolleybuses followed on 13 November 2000, now operating Sant'Anna – city centre – Via Forlì, bringing into use new wiring along Corso Canal Grande (in place of Via Farini) in the city centre and extensions at both ends: from Sacca to Sant'Anna and from Viale Buon Pastore to Via Forlì. ATCM had opened a large new depot (garage) at Sant'Anna in 1996.  The refurbished Socimi trolleybuses of 1986 returned to service at that time.
  The final stage of the trolleybus system's major renovation and expansion was completed on 11 June 2001, with the conversion of bus route 11 to trolleybuses.  This change coincided with a reorganization of routes, such that route 11 took over the city centre – Sant'Anna portion of route 6, and the latter was diverted north/west of the city centre to instead run to Via Santi (also known as Uffici Comunali), a new route section which opened to trolleybuses on that date.  Another newly built trolleybus extension that opened on 11 June 2001 was to Via Gramsci, which had been served by motorbus route 11, but concurrent with its conversion to trolleybuses, became instead served by a route 7, extended north from Stazione FS.  These openings and route changes resulted in the trolleybus network comprising the following three routes on weekdays and Saturday mornings:  
  6: Via Santi – Viale Berengario – Piazza Roma (Accademia) – Via Forlì
  7: Via Gramsci – Stazione FS – Autostazione (intercity bus station) – Policlinico
  11: Sant'Anna – Stazione FS – Autostazione (intercity bus station) – Viale dello Zodiaco
  On Saturday afternoons and Sundays, lines 6 and 7 were replaced by lines 60 and 70, which had routings intended to avoid a section of Via Emilia in the city centre which was pedestrianised at those times. (These were renumbered 6A and 7A in 2007.)
  In detail, in addition to the reconstruction of the two old lines 6-barrato and 7, the 1996–2000 construction programme including creation of the following new sections of trolleybus route from scratch:
  Staz. Autolinee (also known as Autostazione) - Via Santi, which largely follows the line 5 branch line to San Cataldo that was closed in 1972;
  extension from Via Conco (near Buon Pastore terminus) to Via Forlì;
  Viale Berengario;
  Corso Canal Grande (in place of Via Farini);
  Sacca overpass - Viale Gramsci;
  extension from Sacca to Sant'Anna;
  new line from Piazzale Risorgimento to Viale dello Zodi
caption: A refurbished and repainted Socimi / Iveco trolleybus at the Zodiaco terminus of route  11 in 2007.
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