Trolleyology: A Century Plus of Philadelphia Trackless Trolleys - The PRT and PTC Years

A Century+ of Philadelphia Trackless Trolleys - The PRT/PTC Years
Presented by Bob Wright
February 25, 2025

NOTE This Trolleyology was accidentally recorded to the local computer, meaning that unfortunately there is no way to remove the participant boxes on the right side of the screen. We apologize for this oversight and if we have the chance to re-record this program with Bob Wright, we'll do so!

Trackless trolley operation in Philadelphia began in 1923 and this mode continues in regular service in the city to this day. The trackless system remained a relatively small one over the years but did include a number of significant routes on the system through the Philadelphia Transportation Company's ownership and to the present day with SEPTA. The story will be told in two parts, with Part 2, the SEPTA era (1968-present), being provided as the initial offering. Part 1, told here, begins with the trial of trackless trolleys in 1923, instituting the new Route 80 across South Philadelphia that was operated with a small fleet of very basic coaches. This would not be the first trackless operation in the United States, with service in Staten Island and a handful of small communities being started before this, but it would become the longest lasting. The Philadelphia Transportation Company (PTC), which succeeded PRT in 1940, doubled the number of trackless routes in the city with conversion of a busy streetcar route, and several more were implemented post-World War II. This presentation will cover the trackless operation through PRT and PTC up until the system's takeover by SEPTA in 1968.

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this recording do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Museum.

00:00 Intro
07:00 Presentation Start
01:17:33 Q&A