Portsmouth Corporation Transport

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Portsmouth Corporation Transport was the city’s transport company, run by Portsmouth Corporation. It began as a tramway operator in 1898 and later ran trams, trolleybuses and buses. The company ceased trams in 1936, trolleybuses in 1963, and continued as a bus operator until it was privatized in 1988.

Key facts
- Gauge: 4 ft 7 3/4 in (1,416 mm)
- Length: about 15.75 miles (25.35 km) in 1927

Tram era
- The council bought the horse tramways in January 1901 and converted them to electric traction by September 1901.
- Some horse tram service continued on the Hilsea to Cosham line until May 1903.
- The Provincial Tramways Company extended parts of the line to Waterlooville and opened the Portsdown and Horndean Light Railway in March 1902. This line later closed after Southdown bought the company in 1935.
- The last tram, No. 106, ran on 10 November 1936.

Trolleybuses and buses
- Trolleybuses began replacing trams on the South Parade Pier to Cosham route in August 1934, with other routes follow­ing soon after.
- Trolleybuses remained the main service until 27 July 1963 (some late-evening trolleybus services ran for a few weeks after).
- From 1963, the company operated only buses until privatization in 1988.

Preservation
- Many Portsmouth Corporation Transport vehicles were kept at the City of Portsmouth Preserved Transport Depot in Broad Street, Portsmouth, which closed in 2003.
- The collection moved to Wicor Farm in Portchester, with some vehicles used for free summer trips along Southsea seafront since 2008.
- A Portsdown and Horndean Light Railway tram body survives at the Old Kiln Light Railway. Some track remains visible on Broad Street in Old Portsmouth and on Rugby Road near Fratton Station.