When DCT No 1 started rolling around Dunedin in 1950, it was the first trolley bus to operate on the city's streets and the first trolley bus on the world's most southern trolley bus network.
These days, DCT No 1 sits on a lot in Wellington, a little worse for wear. But the Otago Heritage Bus Society hopes to bring it back, not only to Dunedin, but back into operation in the city.
Society chairman and project co-ordinator Philip Riley said the vehicle was built in Wellington for the Dunedin City Corporation Tramways by New Zealand Motor Bodies Ltd, as a prototype design specifically for Dunedin.
The first route to open was No 6, Queen's Gardens to Gardens, via Castle St, followed by route No 8, Queens Gardens to Opoho, via Castle St.
DCT No 1 left Dunedin in 1966 after 16 years of commercial service, and was driven to the North Island under its own power, towing a generator, he said.
''However, these days the vehicle is in Wellington and has been de-registered and will require a large amount of overhauling done to be made operational again, but is still a reachable achievement that is able to happen.''
The society was working hard to raise funds to have the trolley bus returned to Dunedin, a move expected to cost about $9000, he said.
''As you can imagine, the expense of transporting a large vehicle that is not operational, as it requires restoring, can be rather expensive, so our not-for-profit organisation is seeking help from the community.''
A nationwide crowdfunding website was being used to raise money, and there was an opportunity to buy the naming rights to the vehicle, Mr Riley said.
It was hoped the vehicle would be made fully operational, so Dunedin residents could relive the experience of riding the city's first trolley bus.
''Our intentions are not to stuff and mount the vehicle, but make it accessible for the community to enjoy.''
Each year, the society's restored vehicles make an appearance on Christmas Day, Good Friday and Easter Sunday as the Suburban Rumbler, Dunedin's public holiday bus service operating along two major Dunedin bus routes.
