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Join PTM staff, volunteers, and members for our Zoom series, Trolleyology! These programs feature Pennsylvania transit history topics and tales of our collection that you can experience from home. Registration is required but free of charge. Donations are welcome and encouraged.
February 25, 2025 – 7 PM ET – Presented by Bob Wright
The Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company (PRT) began a trial of trackless trolleys in 1923, instituting 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. Watch Bob’s first presentation (1968-present) here!
This program will be recorded and available at a later date on the PTM YouTube channel.
Trolleyology presentations will continue on a regular or semi-regular basis. Interested in presenting? Email Kristen at kfred@patrolley.org! We’re specifically looking for programs related to the Trolley Era in general, Pennsylvania transit history, or stories about our collection. Please join our e-mail list to stay up-to-date with program announcements and other PTM news!
*For the best experience, we recommend downloading Zoom in advance.
NOTE: This is a virtual event
