Trolleybus Network of the Regional Center of the RSFSR in the Second Half of the Twentieth Century (on the Example of the City of Kursk)

Relevance. Improving the system of urban passenger transport is one of the most important directions in the development of modern urban agglomerations. The level of mobility of their residents, and, consequently, the level of business and economic activity, depends on the quality of internal urban transport arteries. At the same time, at the present stage, not only mobility and speed are important, but also environmental friendliness. In this respect, the trolleybus is the transport of the future. However, this statement requires clarification. So, in Kursk, the foundations of the trolleybus network were developed and laid back in the late 1960s. For more than half a century, the city has seriously changed, and trolleybuses continue to function actively. Therefore, in order to solve the current problems in the development of this type of urban passenger transport, it is necessary to take into account the conditions in which it was created, which determines the relevance of this work.
The purpose. To reveal the history of creation and the main stages of development of the trolleybus service in the city of Kursk in the late 1960s – early 1980s.
Objectives: based on the study of a complex of historical sources, show the problems faced by the city authorities during the construction of the first trolleybus line, as well as show the main stages in the development of this type of passenger transport in the city of Kursk in the 1970s – the first half of the 1980s.
Methodology. When writing the work, the author relied on the fundamental methods of historical science (the principles of historicism and objectivity), as well as on a number of specific historical and general scientific methods (analytical, comparative historical, etc.).
Results. Currently, local historiography lacks any generalizing scientific works on the history of the Kursk trolleybus. This work reveals the main stages of the formation and the first years of operation of this type of urban transport.
Conclusion. The creation of the Kursk trolleybus took place in the absence of proper coordination between the various organizations and offices that were preparing for its launch. This largely determined the future problems of this type of public transport in the city, as well as the slow pace of its further development, including at the present time.

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