Drammens Elektriske Bane

Drammens Elektriske Bane was a Norwegian transport company established in Drammen in 1908 by M. Magnus, Otto Aubert and Olaf Berger. Despite its name, the company operated a trolleybus system rather than a conventional railway. It developed and ran an electrically powered urban route in Drammen, making it part of Norway's early experimentation with electric public transport. The company built an initial trolleybus line measuring approximately 7.7 kilometres. Operations began on 15 December 1909. The line used electricity supplied through the urban transport infrastructure and provided scheduled passenger service within Drammen. At its establishment, the business had capital of NOK 140,000, but the available historical account does not provide a fuller breakdown of ownership, financing, rolling stock, route branches or passenger volumes. Drammens Elektriske Bane initially operated in relatively favourable economic conditions. Its position deteriorated during the First World War, when rising costs and broader wartime economic pressures created serious financial problems. In an attempt to stabilize the business, the company increased the passenger fare from 10 øre to 15 øre. It also sought and received a 25 percent reduction in the price of electricity from the municipality. These measures were insufficient to restore solvency, and the company was unable to meet its obligations. The service continued until 30 April 1916. The remaining assets or business interests were subsequently taken over by A/S Trikken. Drammens Elektriske Bane therefore represents a short-lived phase in Drammen's public-transport history: it introduced electric trolleybus operation, expanded the city's transport network with a line of substantial length for the period, and then disappeared after wartime economic conditions undermined its finances. There is no evidence in the supplied reference material that the company survived as an independent operating entity after 1916.

Drammens Elektriske Bane was founded in Drammen in 1908 by M. Magnus, Otto Aubert and Olaf Berger. The company was created to establish electrically powered urban transport in the Norwegian city. It constructed an initial trolleybus route of about 7.7 kilometres and financed the project with capital of NOK 140,000. Passenger operations began on 15 December 1909. Although its name translates as Drammen's Electric Rail, the enterprise operated a trolleybus system rather than a rail line. Trolleybuses were electrically powered road vehicles that drew current from overhead wires, allowing the company to provide electric urban transport without laying conventional railway track. The Drammen service formed part of the early development of electric public transport in Norway. The company reportedly enjoyed sound economic conditions during its first period of operation. Its finances worsened during the First World War, however, as wartime conditions produced significant economic pressure. Drammens Elektriske Bane attempted to address the problem by raising the fare from 10 øre to 15 øre. It also obtained a 25 percent reduction in its electricity costs from the municipality. These interventions did not resolve the company's financial difficulties, and it was unable to meet its obligations. The independent operation ended on 30 April 1916. The remains of the company were taken over by A/S Trikken. The available historical record does not establish the precise legal form of the takeover, provide a detailed inventory of the transferred assets, or document the subsequent development of the route. Drammens Elektriske Bane is consequently best understood as a defunct early electric-transport company whose principal historical significance lies in the introduction and operation of a pioneering trolleybus service in Drammen.

• 1916

  Independent operations end

  [1]Drammens Elektriske Baneen.wikipedia.org

  The trolleybus service operated by Drammens Elektriske Bane ended on 30 April, after which the company's remains were taken over by A/S Trikken.

• 1914

  Wartime financial pressure emerges

  [1]Drammens Elektriske Baneen.wikipedia.org

  During the First World War, the company encountered serious economic difficulties after an initially favourable operating period.

• 1909

  Trolleybus service begins

  [1]Drammens Elektriske Baneen.wikipedia.org

  The company began operating its approximately 7.7-kilometre electric trolleybus line on 15 December.

• 1908

  Company established

  [1]Drammens Elektriske Baneen.wikipedia.org

  M. Magnus, Otto Aubert and Olaf Berger established Drammens Elektriske Bane in Drammen with capital of NOK 140,000.

An early local public-transport operator focused on electrically powered urban passenger service in Drammen.

• Urban electric transport · 1909

  Drammen trolleybus service

  The company's principal offering was an electrically powered trolleybus service in Drammen. The initial route extended approximately 7.7 kilometres and began public operation in December 1909. It provided urban passenger transport using road vehicles connected to an overhead electrical supply rather than conventional railway tracks. The service remained the company's core activity until operations ended in April 1916.

• Passenger fare increase during financial difficultiesPrice change

  Background

  During the First World War, the company experienced serious economic problems and was unable to maintain its earlier financial performance.

  Action taken

  Drammens Elektriske Bane raised the passenger fare from 10 øre to 15 øre. It also obtained a 25 percent municipal discount on electricity.

  Aftermath

  The combined measures were insufficient to enable the company to meet its obligations. The service ended in 1916, and the remaining business was taken over by A/S Trikken.

  Source

1. 1Drammens Elektriske Baneen.wikipedia.org