First all-electric “trackless tram” arrives in Brisbane for testing

The first bi-articulated and battery-powered bus destined for use in Brisbane’s Metro has arrived from Switzerland for testing.

Also known as a “trackless tram”, the 24.5 metre-long lighTram 25 will be tested on Brisbane’s busways to ensure suitability and flash-charging capabilities as well as perform driver training ahead of official deployment.

As The Driven reported in 2019, a total of 60 trackless trams are expected to transport passengers on Brisbane roads, with each able to carry 150 passengers at a time.

Trackless trams have the advantage over trains in that they are not tied to infrastructure and with their bi-articulated format have high manoeuvrability.

The tram in question has been made by Hess, a Swiss-based manufacturer of mass-transport vehicles.

Speaking about the lighTram 25, Alex Naef, CEO of HESS said in a statement that while the vehicle has been tested extensively in Nantes, France, Brisbane’s hotter and more humid climate has required specific design modifications.

For example, he says that, “certain design changes were needed, including new floor materials that resist water ingress and special ducts to channel excess water beyond the vehicle. ”

Also: “The varying temperatures [compared with France] required a powerful air-conditioning system along with a function known as pre-conditioning. Pre-conditioning automatically prepares the vehicle, raising the internal temperature to a level that is immediately comfortable to the driver and passengers.”

Peter Dale, Country Manager for HES said in a note that the lighTram 25 has been developed for local roads in close collaboration with Brisbane City Council, which oversees the city’s Metro public transport network.

A previous statement regarding the project said that Australia’s Volgren and Swiss electrification giant ABB were also involved in developing the vehicle for the local transport system.

“Since contract award, HESS has collaborated closely with Brisbane City Council across all stages of the design process to make sure that their requirements and wishes aligned with the ultimate vehicle design,” he said.

“The vehicle today incorporates solutions to maximise access, comfort and safety. There are three large and easily accessible mobility aid bays all in one carriage, an electric ramp, hearing loops and the ability to communicate with the driver via microphone and cameras, among other features.”

Brisbane City Council’s $1 billion project aims to provide high-frequency electric bus services, running with a frequency of up to three minutes, with 18 stops.

The trackless trams charge at the end of each route using a “flash” charging system that charges the buses in less than six minutes, using a roof-mounted charging system for electric buses that can send up to 450kW of power to the bus.