Volvo
No's 120 - 139
1983 - 1991
Chasis Volvo B10M
New Zealand Motor Bodies / Hess body work
Electrics by Ansaldo
Motor 150bhp
Hybrid electronic/rheostatic control; drivers foot pedal operated electronic circuits which control electro-magnetic contactorss which then switch to traction motor.
Breaking systen combines rheostatic traction motor braking controlled by electronic logic circuits, with air operated wheel breaks.
These buses were bought at a bargain price when the Auckland Transport Authority decided not to implement it's new trolley bus system. Technically they were something of a halfway house between the older BUT trolleys and the new Brown Boveri/Volvos. Wellington drivers initially complained about the visibilty thru the front windows and these were subsequently modified.

Due to changes in Wellington, namely the closure of the Wadestown line and the "privatisation" of the city council's transport division, these buses had only a relatively short life in service. It was also claimed that their electrics caused interference with radios. Whatever the reason, their withdrawal was a shame as these were perhaps the most attractive and comfortable trolleys to see service in New Zealand.

After several years in storage, these buses were sold for conversion to diesel power. Leopard Citylines in Christchurch bought twelve, and the remaining eight went to the Mana Coachlines for use in Porirua and Paraparaumu.After Leopard Coachlines in Christchurch lost several routes about 4 of the converted Ansaldo Trolleybuses returned to Wellington and entered service with Newlands Coach Services thus they have returned to their old stamping grounds the streets of Wellington all be it as diesel buses.News update is now that the last few remaining Ansdalo buses will now become part of the Redbus Limited Fleet in Christchurch as Leopard has been sold to Redbus.

photo of Volvo
No.130 on it's way to Seatoun
(David Jones)

Preservation

Unfortunately none of these buses has been retained in original condition for preservation. However, the Omnibus Preservation Society did strip the electrics out of No.133 prior to it's conversion in Christchurch for Mana Coachlines. It is hoped that once one of the converted diesels becomes available, it will be restored back to it's original state.

converted Ansaldo
Former WCCT No. 133 converted as a diesel.
(Geoff Dick / The Omnibus Bulletin)
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