About Us

The Ipswich Corporation (the forerunner of today’s Borough Council) was able to purchase the horse tramway in 1901. They established a transport and electricity supply undertaking, which allowed the building of our present depot in Constantine Road and a power station, initially fuelled by burning domestic refuse. This electricity provided power for the new dark green and cream liveried electric trams, and the horses were no longer needed. The network expanded upon the commencement of the municipal service in 1903. Services expanded to serve destinations to Lattice Barn and along Felixstowe Road.

The tramway network used 35 trams ‘cars’, which although open-topped and open-fronted, were used in all weathers. The Great War of 1914-1918 prompted a change of operation, as restrictions on supply and materials meant the tram rails wore out and operation became problematic. The electrical infrastructure remained in useable condition, so in 1923, three ‘trackless trams’ arrived. At last, the driver had an enclosed cab and could remain dry while at the controls! Three years later, the successful trial of ‘trackless’ between Cornhill and Ipswich Station concluded with them replacing the trams entirely. Thirty ‘trackless trolley vehicles’, later commonly referred to as trolleybuses, were locally built by Ransomes of Ipswich and Garretts of Leiston.

The Royal Show in Chantry Park in 1934 marked the start of double-deck operation. Ransomes again provided smart green and cream liveried trolleybuses complete with distinctive silver aluminium panels. Network expansion in the 1920s and 1930s introduced routes along Foxhall Road, Heath Road and Sidegate Lane; new routes had to be confined within the borough boundaries. The hub of operations in the town Centre was Cornhill and Electric House, adjacent to Tower Ramparts School. In 1937, a purpose-built trolleybus depot at Priory Heath came into use. Today this building is home to the the Ipswich Transport Museum.

The Second World War of 1939 to 1945 brought restrictions. Worker’s travel took priority over leisure and shopping, and evening services were restricted. ‘Utility’ trolleybuses with wooden seats were allocated to the town to help update the fleet, and many of the pre-war trolleybuses were rebuilt, surviving until replaced in the 1950s. Female drivers and conductors were permitted for the first time, to replace males serving in the forces. A far cry from the diverse workforce that is the public face of our operations today!

In the post-war period, Ipswich grew. Chantry, Maidenhall, Whitehouse, Whitton and Castle Hill Estates required new routes to serve the large housing developments which replaced some of the old pre-war terraced housing near the town centre. It was originally expected that trolleybuses would serve these new areas, but history was to prove otherwise.