Trolleybuses in George Town, Penang

George Town
trolleybus system

George Town trolleybus no 1, ca. 1926.

Operation
Locale| George Town, Penang,
British Malaya / Federation of Malaya
Open| 19 March 1924 (1924-03-19)
Close| 31 July 1961 (1961-07-31)
Status| Closed
Routes| 4
Operator(s)| George Town Municipal Transport

The George Town trolleybus system was part of the public transport network in George Town, on the island of Penang (part of Malaysia since 1963), for more than 35 years in the mid-20th century.[1]

Opened in 1924, the system gradually replaced the George Town tramway network. It lasted until mid-1961, when it was closed and replaced by a network of motor bus routes. At its peak, the system had four routes.[1]

## History

[edit]

In 1923 a 24-seat Brush bodied Clough, Smith trolleybus was ordered as an experiment, entering service in 1925 on the Magazine Road to Jetty via Chulia Street service. It was followed by a 22-seat Strachans & Brown bodied Thornycroft. In 1926 three trolleybuses were purchased from Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, who supplied another five in March 1929. Two existing Thornycroft motor buses were converted to trolleybuses in 1929 and 1931, respectively.[2]

In 1934, two nine-seater trolleybuses were purchased specifically for the one mile Penang Hill Railway service from Lower station to the Air Itam main road. A further 18 Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies trolleybuses were delivered in 1935/36. Six more followed in 1938-1940.[2][3]

By the end of the Japanese occupation of Malaya, the entire fleet was out of service. All were gradually returned to service between 1946 and 1950 except two that were too badly damaged. In the 1950s the original fleet was replaced by 26 Sunbeams and five 1935 built AEC 664T double-deckers purchased second-hand from London.[4] The network closed on 31 July 1961.[2]

## Fleet

[edit]

Fleet numbers | Quantity | Chassis | Body | Configuration | In service

|
|
|
|
|

1 | 1 | Clough, Smith | Brush | Two axle, single deck | 1925-1952
2 | 1 | Thornycroft | Strachans & Brown | Two axle, single deck | 1925-1952
3-10 | 8 | Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies C type | George Town Municipal Transport | Two axle, single deck | 1927-1959
11-12 | 2 | Thornycroft | George Town Municipal Transport | Two axle, single deck, converted from motor buses | 1929-1953
13-36 | 24 | Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies | George Town Municipal Transport | Two axle, single deck | 1935-1959
1A-2A | 2 | Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies | George Town Municipal Transport | Two axle, single deck | 1937-1956
1, 11, 16 | 3 | Sunbeam F4 | George Town Municipal Transport | Two axle, single deck | 1953-1960
2, 12, 15, 17-19, 25, 26, 51-55 | 13 | Sunbeam MF2B | George Town Municipal Transport | Two axle, single deck | 1954-1961
20-24 | 5 | AEC 664T | Metro Cammell Weymann | Three axle, double deck ex London | 1956-1959
27-36 | 10 | Sunbeam MF2B | George Town Municipal Transport | Two axle, single deck | 1957-1961

## See also

[edit]

* History of Malaysia
* List of trolleybus systems
* Transport in Penang

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Murray, Alan (2000). World Trolleybus Encyclopaedia. Yateley, Hampshire, UK: Trolleybooks. pp. 59, 84. ISBN 0-904235-18-1.
2. ^ a b c Francis, Ric; Ganley, Colin (2006). Penang Trams, Trolleybuses & Railways: Municipal Transport History 1880s–1963. Penang: Areca Books. ISBN 9834283407.
3. ^ More British Trolleybuses for Penang Commercial Motor 26 July 1935 page 59
4. ^ More Sunbeam Trolleybuses for Penang Commercial Motor 6 March 1953 page 43

## External links

[edit]

Media related to Trolleybuses in George Town, Penang at Wikimedia Commons

* David Bradley Online – Georgetown Trolleybus Fleet

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