trolleybus vs trolley bus

Both "trolleybus" and "trolley bus" are correct, but "trolleybus" is the more commonly used term. The two words are often combined into one in English.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 825 views

trolleybus

This is the more commonly used term for a bus that is powered by electricity from overhead wires.

The term "trolleybus" is used to refer to a bus that runs on electricity supplied by overhead wires. It is a single word without a space.

Examples:

I took the trolleybus to work this morning.
The city has a fleet of trolleybuses for public transportation.

Show examples from the web [+]

103 D- category - A driver is authorized to drive only a trolleybus.
Subject: EU funding project for trolleybus line (TRAM-TVRCAS) in Castellón, Spain)
You taught him to drive the trolleybus...
I want him to go to university and you teach him to drive the trolleybus.
All contracting entities in the sectors which supply services in the field of urban railway, tramway, trolleybus or bus services defined in the section 4 paragraph 1 letter f) of Act No 137/2006 Coll. on Public Contracts, as amended.
Entities, companies and undertakings providing public transport services by rail, automated system, tramway, trolleybus or bus or managing the relevant infrastructures at national, regional or local level
Contracting entities in the field of urban railway, automated systems, tramway, trolleybus, bus or cable services
All contracting entities in the sectors which supply services in the field of urban railway, tramway, trolleybus or bus services defined in Section 4, paragraph 1, point (f) of Act No 137/2006 Coll. on Public Contracts, as amended.
'CONTRACTING ENTITIES IN THE FIELD OF URBAN RAILWAY, TRAMWAY, TROLLEYBUS OR BUS SERVICES':
Public transport is by bus, tram or trolleybus (rail urban transport is non existent). Collective agreements apply at company level.
'Trolleybus' means a vehicle, electrically driven by energy from external, overhead contact wires.
Contracting entities in the field of urban railway, tramway, trolleybus or bus services
E. Contracting entities in the field of urban railway, tramway, trolleybus or motor bus services
CONTRACTING ENTITIES IN THE FIELD OF URBAN RAILWAY, TRAMWAY, TROLLEYBUS OR BUS SERVICES
Entities, companies and undertakings providing public transport services by rail, automated system, tramway, trolleybus or bus or managing the relevant infrastructures at national, regional or local level.
There is a role for the EU in supporting projects to create dedicated bus and trolleybus lanes as well as tram lines, either uniquely for them or in a separate corridor shared with pedestrian and cycle paths and developing common signing and designations.
the following is inserted in Annex V 'CONTRACTING ENTITIES IN THE FIELD OF URBAN RAILWAY, TRAMWAY, TROLLEYBUS OR BUS SERVICES' after the entry for Belgium:

Alternatives:

electric bus
overhead wire bus
trackless trolley
trolley coach

trolley bus

While less common, this term is also correct and refers to a bus powered by electricity from overhead wires.

The term "trolley bus" is also used to describe a bus that operates on electricity from overhead wires. It is written as two separate words.