TransLink’s first new European-made trolley bus to enter service in September | Daily Hive

TransLink's first European-made next-generation trolley bus to enter service in September

July 2026 testing in Metro Vancouver of TransLink's first new 40-ft trolley bus from Solaris. (TransLink)

Just over a year after TransLink first announced it had selected Polish manufacturer Solaris Bus & Coach to build its new replacement fleet of trolley buses, the first vehicle from the European production line has arrived in Metro Vancouver.

The 40-ft-long, two-door trolley bus, based on the manufacturer’s Solaris Trollino 12 model, arrived in the region last month to begin the public transit authority’s extensive local testing process before the rest of the historic order is delivered.

All buses will also undergo extensive manufacturer testing in Poland before being shipped to Metro Vancouver for additional testing by the customer.

After the local testing process is completed, the first new trolley bus is expected to enter regular service in September 2026.

This first vehicle will receive a special exterior art wrap celebrating the launch of the new trolley bus fleet. It will be applied over the fleet’s new exterior livery, featuring bright blue with yellow and grey stripes.

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Following a procurement process, TransLink selected Solaris to build a new fleet that will completely replace its existing trolley buses, which were manufactured by Canadian company New Flyer in the 2000s. Solaris was selected based on a combination of factors, including technical design merit, competitive pricing, and its delivery timeline.

Among Canadian bus manufacturers, New Flyer is the only company that produces trolley buses, but it has a major production backlog that would prevent it from meeting TransLink’s timely need for a replacement fleet.

July 2026 testing in Metro Vancouver of TransLink’s first new 40-ft trolley bus from Solaris. (TransLink)

The existing fleet is rapidly aging and reaching the end of its lifespan.

There are currently 262 vehicles in the trolley bus fleet, including 74 60-ft-long, two-door articulated buses and 188 40-ft-long, two-door buses.

As previously reported by Daily Hive Urbanized, TransLink has ordered 275 trolley buses from Solaris, representing a net gain of 13 vehicles. The buses will also offer a significantly different passenger experience compared with any existing TransLink bus, with major changes to the interior layout, including an additional door at the rear of each vehicle. This is a design component of the manufacturer’s Trollino model.

The order includes 183 regular 40-ft-long trolley buses with three doors, compared with the two doors typically found on TransLink’s standard 40-ft-long buses, and 92 articulated 60-ft trolley buses with four doors, compared with the three doors found on a conventional articulated bus.

In May 2026, Daily Hive Urbanized reported that Solaris has also produced and begun testing the first 60-ft articulated trolley bus in Poland. It could arrive in Metro Vancouver later this year to begin local testing.

translink solaris pilot trolley bus 2026

TransLink’s pilot 40-ft Solaris trolley bus, as seen in Poland in March 2026. (Marcin Gromadzki Public Transport Consulting)

translink solaris 60 ft articulated trolley bus

The completion of the first Solaris 60-ft articulated trolley bus for TransLink, getting ready for testing in Poland as seen in May 2026. (Marcin Gromadzki Public Transport Consulting)

The Solaris trolley buses have a number of advanced design features compared with the existing New Flyer buses.

These include battery-electric capability that enables the trolley buses to travel up to 20 km off-wire, compared with less than one kilometre for the current trolley buses — enough only for short detours and other temporary road obstructions.

The ability to travel long distances without an overhead electrical connection opens up possibilities for new bus routes and future route changes. The large onboard battery — located at the rear of the vehicle — will recharge while the bus is in motion and connected to the overhead wires.

July 2026 testing in Metro Vancouver of TransLink’s first new 40-ft trolley bus from Solaris. (TransLink)

For improved accessibility, the entire length of each vehicle will feature a low-floor design, enabling low-floor boarding through every door, including the additional rear door.

Inside, passengers will see the introduction of red-coloured seats intended to clearly identify priority seating for people with disabilities, seniors, people with injuries, and pregnant women.

Another interior change is the installation of significantly more red-coloured buttons for requesting the next stop. The buttons will also be illuminated and embossed in Braille with the word “Stop.” Their expanded use and improved design will completely replace the yellow pull cords found on other buses.

As another improved design feature for passengers, these vehicles also boast larger windows.

July 2026 testing in Metro Vancouver of TransLink’s first new 40-ft trolley bus from Solaris. (TransLink)

July 2026 testing in Metro Vancouver of TransLink’s first new 40-ft trolley bus from Solaris. (TransLink)

The completion of the first Solaris 60-ft articulated trolley bus for TransLink, getting ready for testing in Poland as seen in May 2026. (Marcin Gromadzki Public Transport Consulting)

There are also several design improvements to the driver’s operations, including a new adjustable dashboard for better ergonomics. For improved safety, the rear-view and side mirrors will incorporate the latest camera-mirror technology, displaying live images on interior screens to improve visibility and reduce blind spots.

Moreover, trolley buses are among the last vehicles in TransLink’s bus fleet not equipped with air conditioning. Since 2012, the public transit authority has required all new bus orders to include air conditioning to improve driver and passenger comfort during warmer weather.

The new trolley buses will be climate-controlled, with air conditioning for passengers and a separate air conditioning system for the driver.

July 2026 testing in Metro Vancouver of TransLink’s first new 40-ft trolley bus from Solaris. (TransLink)

TransLink’s pilot 40-ft Solaris trolley bus, as seen in Poland in March 2026. (Marcin Gromadzki Public Transport Consulting)

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