IT’S HISTORY

Why Pennsylvania's Skybus Totally Failed


Listen Later

The lost Skybus of Pittsburgh represents a fascinating chapter in the city's transportation history. In the 1950s, urban planner and engineer Charles C. Sprague envisioned an innovative solution to alleviate traffic congestion by introducing an automated, high-speed transit system called the Skybus. The system consisted of driverless electric vehicles suspended from elevated tracks. Despite initial enthusiasm and a successful prototype, the project faced numerous challenges, including financial setbacks and skepticism from the public. Ultimately, the ambitious Skybus project was abandoned in the 1960s, leaving behind a few remnants of its infrastructure and a legacy of unrealized potential in revolutionizing urban transportation in Pittsburgh. The lost Skybus stands as a testament to the city's willingness to explore cutting-edge solutions and the complexities that sometimes accompany ambitious endeavors.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

IT’S HISTORYBy Ryan Socash

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

2 ratings


More shows like IT’S HISTORY

View all
Pop Culture Happy Hour by NPR

Pop Culture Happy Hour

11,489 Listeners

GraveYard Tales by Adam Ballinger & Matt Rudolph

GraveYard Tales

2,966 Listeners

Crime Junkie by audiochuck

Crime Junkie

368,777 Listeners

Engineering Matters by Reby Media

Engineering Matters

9 Listeners

Deep Cover by Pushkin Industries

Deep Cover

4,458 Listeners

Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade by Audacy

Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade

12,845 Listeners