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3. Perspectives and economic efficiency of the trolleybus traffic
On the former 70 German trolleybus operations of the post-war period only those in Solingen, Esslingen and Eberswalde exist today.
In Germany this pollution free means of transport encounters little approval when compared with all other European countries (obviously due to high investment and subsequent costs); although up-to-date vehicle technology and equipment would be available. Traffic experts contend that the trolleybus fleets are too expensive, because the vehicles still manufactured in small series and the result is such high costs of procurement.
In addition come the building and the maintenance of the trolleybus network and current supply. But cost-use calculations considering concrete environmental factors and their after- effects contain so extremely contradictory facts.
An investigation of this topic by Mr. Prof. Dr.-Ing. U. Langer (Sorry, only in German!) with his team of specialists in the area of vehicle techniques from Cologne professional school was executed on the basis of the Solingen trolleybus operation system.
At first sight it appears that the procurement of modern and in mass-produced low floor motor buses is substantially more economical. The technical development for the improvement of the buses will continue to advance in the years ahead. In view of the introduction of the eco-tax and the increasing of the fuel prices is it possible that the electric drive also attains new meaning.
Only time will tell whether a conventional trolleybus in a flexible form or an electrical bus, which combines the advantages of the Diesel motor bus and trolleybus, will be used in the future.