IT'S been more than 50 years since trolleybuses came to a halt for the last time on Bournemouth's roads.

For 36 years, they had been known as the town’s “silent service” – running from Westbourne to Christchurch and north to Wallisdown and Castle Lane.

The much-loved public vehicles replaced the town’s trams and were in turn supplanted by diesel-powered buses as they became uneconomical in the 1960s.

The popularity of trolleybuses grew rapidly with the network. In the year ending March 1937, the vehicles carried 26.3million passengers, and 10 years later, the figure had risen to 42.7m. But by 1957, usage was down to 29m.

Times were changing in favour of motorbuses. Spares for the existing fleet were more difficult to come by, the overhead wiring was costly, and private car ownership was beginning to rise rapidly.

By 1969, the end had finally come, and Saturday, April 19, was the last day of scheduled services.

Bournemouth Echo:

That Sunday, a procession of 17 buses left the Pier Approach at 3pm for a farewell trip through the town.