But rails restricted movement and running overhead wires over new routes were prohibitively expensive.
Battery technology too left a lot to be desired, just like today.
The flywheel was spun at charging stations using three booms mounted on the vehicle’s roof.
One installation at Yverdon-les-Bains sometimes saw vehicles travelling as far as 10 km on one charge.
The higher the voltage, the lesser was the charging time.
For instance, the 4.5km long route at Yverdon-les-Bains had as many as four recharging points.
Having a large spinning flywheel inside the vehicle led to a couple of unintended consequencessome desirable, some not.
On the other hand, it did give a very level and smooth ride.
However, it was high energy consumption that eventually led to the system’s demise.
A Gyrobus charging at a bus stop in Leopoldville.
Photo credit:Smiley.toerist/Wikimedia
Engine of the Gyrobus at the Flemish tramway and bus museum, Antwerp.
Photo credit:Vitaly Volkov/Wikimedia
Interior of the Gyrobus.
Photo credit:Vitaly Volkov/Wikimedia
