Definition

Noun: 1. A passenger bus powered by electricity obtained from overhead wires: A trackless trolley is a type of public transport vehicle. It is a bus that uses an electric motor for propulsion. Unlike a traditional trolleybus or tram, it does not run on fixed rails embedded in the road. Instead, it draws its electrical power from a network of overhead wires using a set of poles and connectors, allowing it to operate on standard roadways with greater flexibility than rail-bound vehicles.

Examples of Usage

• The city replaced some diesel buses with trackless trolleys to reduce noise and air pollution downtown.
• To catch the trackless trolley, you need to wait at a designated bus stop along its route.
• The trackless trolley came to a halt when its power poles momentarily detached from the overhead wire.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in historical or technical contexts to describe this specific type of electric bus, distinguishing it from diesel buses and rail-based trams.

Variants and Related Words

• Trolleybus (noun): This is the more common and standard term, especially in British English and international contexts, for a trackless trolley. The two terms are largely synonymous.
• Electric bus (noun): A broader term that can include trackless trolleys (trolleybuses) as well as battery-electric buses that do not require overhead wires.

Synonyms

• Trolleybus
• Electric bus (in the specific context of wire-powered vehicles)

Antonyms

• Diesel bus: A bus powered by a diesel internal combustion engine.
• Rail-bound trolley / Tram / Streetcar: A passenger vehicle that runs on fixed metal tracks embedded in the road and is typically also powered by overhead wires.

Noun

1. a passenger bus with an electric motor that draws power from overhead wires