Trolleybuses in Lyon
The Lyon trolleybus system is part of the public transport network of the city and commune of Lyon, France. Opened in 1935, it combines with the Lyon Metro, the Lyon tramway network and Lyon's urban motorbus network to form an integrated all-four scheme.
Lyon was one of the first cities in France to experience trolleybuses. It is the capitale du trolleybus français. In 1961, the Lyon trolleybus system had the largest number of trolleybuses ever to operate simultaneously in France. In the 21st century, it has been a leader in the development of new trolley buses.
The system is owned by SYTRAL, and, like most of the rest of the all-four scheme, is operated by Keolis Lyon on behalf of Transports en commun lyonnais. Since 2006, it has been expanded by the electrification of two major new lines. , the system consisted of nine lines.
Lines
The Lyon trolleybus system is presently made up of the following lines:| Line | Route | Depot | Sat | Sun/Hols | |
| C1 | Gare Part Dieu-Vivier Merle <> Cuire | UTN | yes | yes | |
| C2 | Gare Part Dieu-Vivier Merle <> Rillieux-Semailles | UTN | yes | yes | |
| C3 | Gare St Paul <> Vaulx en Velin-La Grappinière | UTS | yes | yes | |
| C4 | Jean Macé <> Cité Internationale-Centre de Congrès | UTS | yes | yes | |
| C11 | Saxe-Gambetta <> Laurent Bonnevay-Astroballe | UTS | yes | yes | |
| C13 | Grange Blanche <> Montessuy-Gutenberg | UTC | yes | yes | |
| C14 | Jean Macé <> Les Sources | UTV | yes | yes | |
| C18 | Hôtel de Ville-Louis Pradel <> Croix Rousse-Nord | UTC | yes | yes | |
| S6 | Hôtel de Ville-Louis Pradel <> Croix-Rousse | UTC | yes | yes |
All of these lines, except line S6, offer a high level of service, and operate 7 days a week from 5 am to midnight, with frequent services on weekdays from 7.00 am to 8.00 pm. They provide an attractive and permanent service throughout the year, including during school holiday periods.
Lines C1 to C3 are equipped with a signal priority system, dedicated lanes for almost their entire routes, and high-capacity bus shelters fitted with ticket distributors.
The principle of these three lines dates back to 2006, and the creation of lignes fortes Cristalis, designated by the letter C. Cristalis was a model of trolleybus built by Irisbus. The principle was extended on 29 August 2011 to 23 other lines, some operated by trolleybuses, and the rest by motorbuses. The letter "C" has been retained a designator of these lines, but no longer has no any other meaning.
Fleet
, the Lyon trolleybus fleet stood at 131 vehicles, of which 76 were rigid buses and 55 articulated buses:| Fleet nos. | Qty | Manufacturer | Electrics | Model | Type | Built | Line |
| 1711 to 1717 | 7 | MAN/Hess | Kiepe | NMT 222 | Rigid | 1999 | S6 |
| 1801 to 1869 | 69 | Irisbus | Irisbus | Cristalis 12 | Rigid | 2000–2004 | C4, C11, C14, and C18 |
| 1901 to 1927 2901 to 2917 | 44 | Irisbus | Irisbus | Cristalis 18 | Articulated | 2001–2006 | C1, C2 and C3 |
| 2918 to 2928 | 11 | Irisbus | Irisbus | Cristalis 18 | Articulated | 2010 | C1, C2 and C4 |