Irisbus Cristalis
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The Irisbus Cristalis is a trolleybus that was manufactured by Irisbus. It was introduced in 2000.[1] The second of three prototypes, built was for the Lyon trolleybus system, was first presented to the public in Lyon in December 2000.[2][1] The first vehicles of the type entered service in Lyon in January 2002.[3] Cristalis trolleybuses were subsequently purchased by the Limoges trolleybus system and the St. Etienne trolleybus system, as well as the Milan trolleybus system, in Italy.[4] For all units built, the electrical equipment was provided by Alstom.[5] It was "radically different"[6] from past French-built trolleybuses, in its use of wheel hub motors to allow an unobstructed low floor.[6][1] The initial design work was undertaken by Renault,[6] before the formation of Irisbus. Fifteen were also ordered by the Grenoble trolleybus system in 1999 (before series production of the Cristalis had even begun),[7][8] but that order was cancelled in 2002, shortly before officials of that city's transport system decided to close the trolleybus system.[9]
Production ended in 2010.[5]
It was offered in two versions:[5]
- ETB12 – a 12-metre (40 ft) two-axle trolleybus
- ETB18 – an 18-metre (60 ft) articulated bus
As of 2016, the total number in service was 180, specifically 95 ETB12 and 85 ETB18.[5]: 85
