Transport Web Snc - www.bustocoach.com
EUROPEAN ON-LINE MAGAZINE - November / December 2020
Bus To Coach INTERCITY
THE FUTURE INTOURO EU MARKET - FUTURE SCENARIOS - AMSTERDAM - FUEL CELL - VOLVO - eTROFIT - MERCEDES - MAN eTGE - ADL - SOLARIS - IBE RIMINI - COLUMS
MAGAZINE ON-LINE linked www.bustocoach.com - Nov. / Dec. 2020 DIRECT LINK
BusToCoach
RUBRICHE
European on-line magazine Editor in chief
Marino Ginanneschi
marino.ginanneschi@bustocoach.com
Managing editor and International relations
Elena Prearo
elena.prearo@bustocoach.com
EU MARKET SURVEY It decreased by 26.5% in Predictions of nine months. emissions in transport.
AMSTERDAM Massive investments in transport.
Administration
FLASH NEWS Live from the transport sector.
USED BUS ON LINE
On www.bustocoach.com website is on line the directory dedicated to Used.
HIGH TECH STORE OmniPlus, Valeo, MAN, WebFleet.
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HYDROGEN BUSES New orders in European cities.
BusToCoachÂŽ Magazine is a monthly e-mail delivered to 12,000 European operators in the sector of bus passenger transport.
VOLVO Electric charging with Schunk technology.
E-TROFIT A kit to electrify the fleet.
IN THE FOREGROUND
To subscribe to our mailing list, send an e-mail to: bustocoach@bustocoach.com
MERCEDES The new Intouro range.
MAN TRUCK & BUS The TGE Combi is also electric.
SOLARIS Urbino 15 LE electric.
IBE RIMINI ALEXANDER DENNIS The new Enviro 500 Optimistic signals prevailed. for Berlin.
Here you can find those who deal with used buses in Italy and Europe *** Here you can find the selling prices suggested by BusToCoach for the Italian market or going directly to the link https://bustocoach.com/en/ quotes-bus/
BusToCoach on-line Magazine - November/December 2020
Dear readers, With this number, BusToCoach Magazine ends its publications and simultaneously, starting from January 1, 2021, the BusToCoach.com website will also cease to be active on the Internet. After ten years of experience in the panorama of international information specialized in the sector of bus passenger transport, we believe that the time has come to conclude this experience. In order to keep up with the times, it would need renovated energy to adapt to the changes to which the communication system will have to respond in the medium-term. Ten years ago, we bet everything on online communication, preempting what is now a generalized trend, often clashing with more traditional visions of communication methods but also gaining the appreciation and growing recognition of our professionalism. For this reason, we want to thank all those with whom we have shared this ‘journey’, whether they are part of the productive world of this sector, exhi bitors or simply colleagues of other newspapers, and especially those with whom the pure professional relationship has over time become respect and, why not, friendship. In conclusion, we can say that “it has been great” so far and therefore best wishes for the future to everyone.
BusToCoach on-line Magazine - November / December 2020
FLASH NEWS
ADL ELECTRIC BUSES IN NEW ZEALAND
IT-TRANS BECOMES VIRTUAL
aiheke Island, New Zealand. Here Alexander Dennis has iven the rapid increase in Covid-19 infections as well as the W delivered six electric buses to Fullers360 for Auckland Tran- Gexpansion of risk areas worldwide, included the Karlsruhe sport services. An additional two electric buses will be supplied region, the international conference & exhibition on the digiti-
by ADL to Fullers360 subsidiary Waiheke Bus Company before Christmas, allowing half of all buses on the island to be converted to zero emission operation. At the launch event, ADL announced its renewed partnership with the local manufacturer Kiwi Bus Builders. This will now include the assembly of electric buses, which for the New Zealand market had until now taken place overseas. In addition to two-axle models like those for Waiheke Island, the partners will produce 12.6 m long, three-axle electric buses, which ADL has designed for the specific requirements of bus operation in New Zealand by carrying 78 passengers without the requirement of an overweight permit, a first for New Zealand. As the country prepares to fully transition its bus fleet to zero emission vehicles by 2035, their local assembly will support up to 100 jobs at Kiwi Bus Builders.
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SCANIA ELECTRIC BUSES
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PLAXTON BUSES IN SCOTLAND
lexander Dennis has supplied six new Plaxton PaA norama double deck coaches to Park’s of Hamilton for operation on the Scottish Citylink express network.
stersund, Sweden. Scania will deliver there more Ö electric city buses to the transport operator Vy Buss. They are 10 new-generation 12.3-metre Scania
Citywide LF buses. These vehicles will join Vy’s fleet of electric Scania buses that have been in traffic there since 2017. Seven of the new buses will be in traffic from July 2021 while the remaining in summer 2022. One-third of all city bus operations in Östersund will then be electrified. Other city bus lines are operated on renewable biofuels. “We were early in establishing a charging infrastructure for electric cars and are now continuing with electric buses”, says Anne Sörensson, Green Traffic Project Manager at the City of Östersund. “We view this as essential in our aim to become fossil-free and energy efficient by 2030. “
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zation of public transport ‘IT Trans’ (Karlsruhe, 1-3 December 2020) has been canceled as a live event and relaunched on the web. The organizers (the Public Transport Association UITP and Messe Karlsruhe) informed about that. “We have been following developments in recent weeks very closely and have been in constant communication with the relevant authorities. Their latest assessment made it clear to us that a cancellation of the event on the spot is unfortunately inevitable”, said Mohamed Mezghani, UITP general secretary, and Britta Wirtz, managing director of Messe Karlsruhe.
SKODA ACQUIRED STAKE IN TEMSA
he Turkish manufacturer will come back to business thanks to Škoda Transportation, a leading European company in the production of trains, subways, trolley buses and low-floor tramways. It was announced by Temsa on its website last October, pointing out that “ExSa, a subsidiary of Sabancı Holding, and PPF IndustryCo, controlling shareholder of Škoda Transportation, have completed all the official processes for the acquisition of Temsa Transportation Vehicles” . The Turkish company had stopped production since December 2019 due to financial difficulties that arose after the acquisition by a Swiss investment fund. 
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They have entered service on the ‘Saltire Cross’ routes connecting Scotland’s six major cities with frequent services every 60 minutes from Glasgow or Edinburgh. Built to Citylink Gold specification, the new Plaxton Panoramas on Volvo B11RLE chassis have 71 reclining seats, offering additional legroom and more space for passengers to socially distance on journeys. In addition to the dedicated wheelchair space, 14 seats are step-free on the lower deck. Full-length overhead luggage racks on both decks provide stowage for personal baggage, with larger items accommodated in the rear luggage hold. The six coaches are the third delivery of Plaxton Panorama double deckers for the Scottish Citylink network, following five vehicles for the AIR service connecting Glasgow with Edinburgh Airport and 18 coaches for the frequent route 900 between the centres of Glasgow and Edinburgh.
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TROLLEYBUSES IN NORWAY
eolis Norge has taken delivery of four Solaris articulated K trolleybuses. The vehicles are part of an order placed in 2019 for the delivery of ten Trollinos 18. The official launch is planned
for beginning of December. The Solaris Trollinos for Bergen are the first trolleybuses in Norway. They are powered by a 240-kW electric motor and equipped with 55-kWh traction batteries, thanks to which it is possible to cover a distance of over 11 kilometers without the need to connect to the catenary system. The batteries are charged while driving with the use of ‘in motion charging’ technology, through current collectors mounted on the vehicle, which are connected to the overhead catenary. Read the complete news on: https://bustocoach.com/en/
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FLASH NEWS
BusToCoach on-line Magazine - November / December 2020
SOLARIS HYDROGEN BUSES
eCITARO FOR GREAT BRITAIN
us fleet completely electrified by 2030. This is the aim of he Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen bus will be tested in Paris T by RATP. The goal is to test this technology in regular BRennes, the capital of the French Brittany region. With this passenger traffic. Tests will be carried out over several weeks in mind, Metropole Rennes has signed a declaration of intention
in south Paris. “RATP group, committed to the development of smart and sustainable cities, is proud to collaborate with Solaris to test its Urbino 12 hydrogen bus. Hydrogen is indeed a major issue for the years to come. Taking up this challenge and testing new energies, the Group continues to be at the forefront of the energy transition”, said Marie-Claude Dupuis, RATP Group Deputy General Manager in charge of strategy, innovation and development. The Urbino 12 hydrogen uses a set of fuel cells with a power of 70 kW to generate energy.
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IN OSLO PEOPLE TRAVEL ON MAN
to buy 92 Mercedes-Benz eCitaro fully electric city buses. The planned order consists of 59 articulated and 33 solo buses. They are due to be delivered between 2022 and 2025. “We are absolutely delighted to receive the largest export order so far for the Mercedes-Benz eCitaro from Metropole Rennes and we are pleased to support the borough in implementing their ambitious climate aims,” says Mirko Sgodda, Head of Marketing, Sales & Customer Services at Daimler Buses. Pantographs enable intermediate charging outside the depot and thus extend the range. The extensive safety equipment of the buses includes, among the other devices, Preventive Brake Assist, the automatic braking assistance system, and Sideguard Assist.
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A SETRA FOR FOOTBALL TEAMS
nibuss has renewed its fleet with 127 MAN U Lion’s City buses powered by HVO (Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil) biofuel. They are 71 MAN Lion’s
City L LE, 33 Lion’s City LE and 23 Lion’s City GL buses. These vehicles have a length ranging from 12 to 18.75 m and a capacity between 43 and 57 seats. All the three bus types meet the Euro 6 emission standard. The first buses were delivered at the end of June and the entire fleet is now making its rounds on the streets of Oslo. “We chose the MAN Lion’s City because we and our customer, Ruter AS, are intent on meeting demanding climate targets, and the only way to achieve that is with innovative vehicles. Opting for HVO biofuel over conventional diesel will lower emissions by up to 90 percent,” said Øystein Svendsen, CEO of Unibuss. Unibuss is one of Norway’s most environmentally friendly bus operator. The company has been campaigning for sustainable public transportation for years.
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VDL ELECTRIC BUSES IN FINLAND
K
oiviston Auto Group has chosen the VDL technology for the electrification of part of the fleet in the Finnish cities of Lahti and Kuopio. The order includes 31 VDL Citeas LLE-115 Electric. Of these ebuses, 13 will be delivered to Kuopion Liikenne Oy which provides public transport in Kuopio and the remaining 18 buses to Koiviston Auto Oy for service in Lahti. The vehicles have a 35+4 seating arrangement, with space for a wheelchair or two prams. The are fitted with a High Energy 282kWh battery pack, for charging with CCS2 socket in Kuopio and a roof mounted pantograph in Lahti. The low temperatures in winter which can drop below 30 degrees or even colder place high demands on the vehicles.
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aximum comfort on board the new Setra S 516 M HDH coach handed over by the German soccer team. An example are the 30 touring coach seats
with refined leather covers and electrically adjustable leg rests and tray tables. The Setra TopClass touring coach is also fitted with two fold-away tables at the rear of the bus, TopAir air conditioning system, a galley featuring a fully automatic coffee machine, four 19-inch screens and a sound system with four subwoofers. Maximum safety also with a comprehensive package of driver assistance systems. Among these, the Active Brake Assist ABA 4 which warns within milliseconds of a potential collision with moving pedestrians and automatically initiates partial braking if necessary. The three-axle coach is powered by a Euro 6d engine.
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URBINO ELECTRIC BUSES IN FREIBURG
he German operator Freiburger Verkehrs has signed a T contract with Solaris Bus & Coach for the supply of 15 electric buses. The batch includes five Urbinos 12 Electric and
ten articulated Urbinos 18 electric. The buses are powered by an electric axle with two integrated electric motors of 125 kW each. They fitted with Solaris High Power batteries (180 kWh for the articulated vehicles and 150 kWh for the solo version). The operator has opted for the fast charging through a pantograph on the roof of the bus. It will be also possible to recharge the batteries using a conventional plug-in system. The first Solaris buses delivered to Freiburg are dated 2016. Amount to over 230 the electric buses supplied to or contracted by Solaris to its German clients so far. Read the complete news on: https://bustocoach.com/en/
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BusToCoach on-line Magazine - November / December 2020
EU MARKET: -26, 5% IN NINE MONTHS The pandemic has impacted on the European bus market by reducing the number of vehicles registered between January and September 2020 by over a quarter he performance of the first nine months of T 2020 is heavy for the automotive sector. In the European Union, car registrations de-
creased by 28.8% while commercial vehicles decreased by 24.5% (ACEA data). As for the bus sector, vehicles over 3.5 tons registered between January and September amounted to 20,426 out of 27,772 with a decrease of 26.5%. The performance was negative throughout the whole European territory. In the Western Basin, the most affected markets were Spain and Italy. The first decreased by 45.7% compared to the previous year with 1,397 units. In Italy, with 2,227 new buses, the number of registrations decreased by 32.1%. France (4,311 vehicles, -14%) and especially Germany (4,350 units, -5.7%) managed to li-
mit the decline. In Northern Europe, the decrease ranges between 30 and 40%. Ireland is suffering because registrations decreased by 73.5%. The situation in the East is challenging with countries such as Croatia, Romania and Slovenia which decreased by 60%, 64.3% and 77.8% respectively, and markets that on the opposite increased the number of registrations such as the Czech Republic (+4.2%), Hungary (+32.1%) and, in particular, Cyprus with a four-digit increase (+1068.4%). Outside the EU borders, the United Kingdom decreased registrations by almost a third (-29.6%) while in the EFTA free-trade area, which includes Iceland, Norway and Switzerland, the number of registrations decreased by 46.8%.
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New Bus & Coach registrations in Europe - 12 month trend
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BusToCoach on-line Magazine - November / December 2020
POSSIBLE FUTURE SCENARIOS
Predictions and expectations of 346 international experts on the transition to CO2 neutral transport are included in the survey carried out as part of the project T4 <2°
ecarbonisation of transport and the most D effective policies are the focus of the study carried out as part of the project T4 <2
° (Transport for under 2 degrees), a project commissioned by the German Foreign Ministry to develop global recommendations that promote a sustainable and climate-friendly transport sector. Project leaders are Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the World Economic Forum (WEF) and Agora Verkehrswende. The survey was carried out through qualitative interviews on a panel of 346 participants from 56 countries (developed as well as devePower modes that will dominate urban transport by mid-century
loping), mainly transport and energy experts. As for decarbonisation, the majority of the people being interviewed believe that it is possible to decarbonise transport by midcentury (2040-2060). As for measures, it comes to light a demand for greater regulatory measures. It is also important to encourage behavioral change because people need to change their transport habits, intentionally or not. Most experts chose measures that influence the price of fuel, first of all a ‘carbon tax’, followed by the forced phase-out of combustion engines, which according to the respondents must begin within 10 years, and the introduction of zero-emission zones. The second point, even if desirable, is considered less likely to happen. It’s easier to focus on fuel-saving policies as the EU and other regions are doing. For respondents, the most effective policy instrument to decarbonise the transport sector is investment in public transport. However, only 52% rate this investment as the most likely instrument to be implemented. When asked which of the two options will dominate between battery technology or fuel cells, experts expect battery electric mobility to take the lead.
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BusToCoach on-line Magazine - November / December 2020
LOCAL PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN AMSTERDAM The Dutch capital announced extra funding of public transport with the so-called ‘corona package’ of 235 million euros he regional Transport Council for AmsterT dam, in the Netherlands, has announced extra funding of public transport. It is the
so-called ‘corona package’ of 235 million euros which consists of 30 million euros for investments in infrastructure (2021) and 205 million euros for sustainability, inclusivity and rush hour avoidance (2021 and beyond). A large part of this will go to the transition to completely emissionfree bus transport. Presented to the regional Council, the package is in addition to the regular investments in mobility which consist of approximately 130 million euros per year. The extra funding will be used to reshape mobility in the region after the Covid-19 crisis, to make public transport attractive again and to stimulate the economy. This will be done by investing in road safety and public transport projects, in zero-emission buses and travelling outside of rush hours. The Amsterdam Transport Region sees the coronavirus crisis as an opportunity to implement
necessary changes to make mobility in the Amsterdam region future-proof. ”Tackling the immense crowds in the rush hour, really moving towards emission-free transport, tackling crucial points. The ideas were there, but the time now requires action and counter-cyclical investments that will give the accessibility of the region the quality leap it deserves,” said Sharon Dijksma, president of the Transport Region. The Transport Region is investing in all concession areas in zeroemission buses and related charging infrastructure. In the capital, for example, GVB’s new bus series will be fully funded and electricity grid connections will be provided. The goal is for all buses in the Netherlands to be emission-free by 2030. As an intermediate step, the Transport Region aims for 95% emissionfree public transport by 2025. Currently, about 20% of public transport in the Amsterdam region runs on green electricity or hydrogen.
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BusToCoach on-line Magazine - November / December 2020
HYDROGEN OPTION IN EUROPE
TMB Barcelona chooses the 12-meter H2.City Gold from Caetano Bus while National Express West Midlands opts for the double decker by Wrightbus recent weeks, two European operators IN have placed orders for hydrogen buses. The Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) has chosen the 12-meter H2.City Gold from the Portuguese manufacturer Caetano Bus. Eight units have been commissioned. The low-floor vehicles will be equipped with Toyota fuel cells and will offer a range of over 400 km, as stated by the manufacturer. The equipment includes three doors, capacity for 94 passengers on board, USB ports and various safety devices including the video surveillance system, cameras instead of traditional rear-view mirrors and the Mobileye’s Shield Plus to avoid dangerous situations for pedestrians and cyclists. In Birmingham, UK, National Express West Midlands has placed an order for the delive-
ry of 20 double-decker fuel cell buses from Wrightbus. In service from April 2021, they will be the world’s first hydrogen double-decker buses. The purchase is part of the ‘Clean Air Hydrogen Bus Pilot’, a pilot project by the City of Birmingham aimed at kicking off the hydrogen market as a catalyst for the next generation of hydrogen buses, for the production of hydrogen and the development of refuelling infrastructure. Hence the collaboration with ITM which will produce and supply hydrogen. The new buses will be built to National Express West Midlands’ Platinum standard, including free Wi-Fi, USB plug sockets and extra legroom for passengers.
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VOLVO LAUNCHES PANTO UP
Volvo Buses’ new electric charging solution, based on the latest technology from Schunk, will be launched in autumn 2021
he Swedish manufacturer is diversifying T the offer of charging systems for its electric-powered buses and announces the
launch of a third option along with the current charging solutions provided for Volvo buses (Oppcharge and Combo2/CCS). It is a pantograph charging system mounted on the bus roof, called ‘panto up’. This solution is based on the latest technology developed by Schunk, with benefits such as compact installation and low additional weight on board. Unlike the OppCharge system, for charging via a charging station-mounted pantograph (panto down), with Panto up the charging is performed via a roofmounted pantograph, at bus stops or at bus depots. With Combo2/CSS, charging is performed via cable at the depot. Panto up will be available as an alternative for the Volvo 7900 Electric model and the
7900 Electric Articulated version. Sales on the European market will start in autumn 2021. «With a flexible range of alternatives for charging buses, we meet the diverse demands and wishes of our customers and pave the way for a faster and easier transition to electrified bus traffic», underlined Ulf Magnusson of Volvo Buses. The range of various solutions for highefficiency charging was presented by Volvo Buses at an event held on 21 October in Gothenburg, a Swedish city that in many ways sets the pace for electrified public transport. The event is part of the Assured project of the European Union, whose aim is to encourage the electrification of vehicles used in urban traffic through interoperability between different manufacturers of vehicles and chargers.
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Other articles about Volvo Buses: https://bustocoach.com/en/costruttore/volvo-bus-corporation-se/
BusToCoach on-line Magazine - November / December 2020
ELECTRIC CONVERSION KIT
INFORMATION IS ON THE NET www.bustocoach.com/en The “Vehicles” section in the website provides data sheets for all types of buses available on the market, inclusive of photographs, as well as historical profiles and manufacturer’s details. Equally comprehensive information can be found in the “Components” section.
E-troFit will launch further series-ready electrification solutions in the next two years for the most common models in Europe -troFit, specialist for the conversion of E diesel buses to electric drive, will launch further series-ready electrification solutions in
the next two years for the most common bus models in Europe. In September, the company delivered the first bus retrofitted with a series kit in Landshut, Germany. It was a Mercedes Citaro C1 628045, an ageing model that is still widely used throughout Europe, especially in the South Eastern region with about 1,000 vehicles. For July 2021, e-troFit aims to provide a serial electrification solution for the Citaro C1 Facelift 628083. The launch is scheduled for July 2021. According to the manufacturer from Ingolstadt, around 7,500 buses of this type are running on European roads. It will then be the turn of the Citaro C2, «the vehicle with the greatest potential for transport companies and operators in Germanspeaking countries», states the retrofit company. The series conversion kits for the C2 628033 will be available from October 2021 and for
the C2 628035 from April 2022. In addition to Mercedes, e-troFit will soon add MAN vehicles to its portfolio. It is currently working on conversion kits for the MAN Lion City A21, probably available from December 2021. The company is also considering the launch of additional products from different brands. «The market potential is around 8,000 conversions within the next ten years», e-troFit infers from its market analysis. «In 2030, every tenth newly registered emission-free city bus will thus be a vehicle electrified with e-troFit technology». The sales prices for the conversion kits including conversion range from about 300,000 to 360,000 euros, depending on the model. The components contained in the kits come from Voltabox, ZF and Valeo, among others. «We are currently experiencing a sharp increase in demand. In Europe, as in other markets, cities and municipalities need sustainable, cost-efficient and at the same time technologically reliable solutions to reduce CO2 emissions in public transport», says CEO Andreas Hager.
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There are also the Directories dedicated to the market of “Used buses”, including sale ads, professional sales agents across the Europe landscape and quotes for all types of vehicle models.
COMPONENTS ON LINE For a comprehensive list of Suppliers of bus components in Italy and in Europe visit: www.bustocoach.com/en
To search for individual company profiles visit: https://bustocoach.com/en/italyproviders/ https://bustocoach.com/en/europeproviders/
Select products by category and read available components details: https://bustocoach.com/en/italycomponents/ https://bustocoach.com/en/europecomponents/
HIGH TECH STORE
BusToCoach on-line Magazine - November / December 2020
OMNIPLUS
VALEO
Alliance GmbH. The system allows bus companies to digitally manage their charter travel and to advertise their offering via the ‘bus-angebot.com’ platform or on their own website. The new service is anchored in the Omniplus On monitor area which also includes time management, operational planning and monitoring. Launched on the market in 2013, EBA’s Online Charter System will be made available in the Omniplus On Portal via a link. The cooperation between Daimler Buses and EBA began in August 2020 with the launch of the service for Germany. Once technical integration has been completed in the coming months, it will be possible to book the Charter Management service in the Omniplus On Portal.
viruses, including Covid-19, bacteria or molds thanks to ultraviolet light technology, similar to that used in medical or hospital facilities. UV rays prevent the spread of microbes thus avoiding the use of chemical products for sanitization. The modules are effective for the entire journey with passengers onboard and only the air circulating in the ventilation box is purified by the light, in order not to expose passengers. Available as a standalone solution box or integrated into the air conditioning system, Valeo devices are compatible with buses of all types and sizes and in all weather conditions. They can be adapted to existing ventilation systems or used as a retrofit on vehicles without air conditioning. The first applications were made on the buses of a Brazilian manufacturer but Valeo is also planning to enter the European, American and Asian markets.
WEBFLEET
MAN TRUCK & BUS
with the NGO Justdiggit. The calculator is built with data taken from the WebFleet fleet management software, based on average fuel consumption and mileage values. In a second step, the tool calculates the amount needed to offset the fleet’s carbon emissions. This is based on Justdiggit’s calculations of the indicative average costs of reducing one tonne of CO2 by regreening drylands in Tanzania. Thanks to this information, customers can choose to join the program by supporting Justdiggit and have a real impact on climate, nature and people. The platform also shows how many square meters will be regreened, how many trees will be replanted, how much water will be saved and how many local people will be empowered.
customers switching to electric drives, now offers a new range of charging stations developed in collaboration with the partner companies Heliox (Netherlands) and SBRS (Germany). The benefit is that the charging station is supplied directly through the MAN sales organization. Available in 28 European countries, the range covers a wide spectrum of requirements: from mobile charging units to large fleet solutions. The power range goes from 25 kW to 300 kW. This enables to create a tailor-made solution for every customer. It is also possible to charge multiple vehicles from a single charging station. Upon request, Heliox or SBRS can also provide installation and service. The top priority is the availability of the charging infrastructure in combination with the MAN electric vehicles.
mniplus On, the digital service portal from Daimler Bualeo has developed a bus O ses, is being expanded with the Online Charter System Vcabin air purifier capable of offered in collaboration with the Viennese company EBA Bus eliminating more than 95% of
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AN Transport Solutions, alculating an estimate of annual CO2 emissions based on the C fleet size and vehicle types is possible thanks to the ‘Green Mthe 360 degree consultancy your fleet’ platform launched by WebFleet Solutions together service for MAN Truck & Bus
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BusToCoach on-line Magazine - November / December 2020
FIRST OF ALL “EFFICIENCY”
With the launch of the new Intouro, Daimler Buses rebuilds the offer of intercity buses. It will be on the market starting from the second half of next year
irtual premiere for the new Mercedes V Intouro which rebuilds Daimler Buses’ offer in the intercity bus segment, starting next year. In addition to replacing the current model series, the new Intouro will replace the already fallen into disuse Setra MultiClass 400 UL and UL Business. This means that the highfloor intercity bus segment (860 mm from the ground) will be covered by the new Mercedes-Benz Intouro, whilst the Setra LE BusiINTOURO K
ness will represent the low-entry segment. The first to enter the market, starting from the second half of 2021, will be the 12.18-meter Intouro and the 13.09-meter Intouro M which will replace the previous two-axle 12.64-meter (M) and 13.32-meter versions (L). In the spring of 2022, the compact Intouro K (10.75 meters) and the Intouro L (14.88 meters), the first Intouro three-axle model of the series, will follow. The introduction of the hybrid version of the Intouro
INTOURO
INTOURO M
INTOURO L
Lenght mm 10,750 12,180 13,090 14,880 Width mm 2,550 2,550 2,550 2,550 Height mm 3,365 3,365 3,365 3,365 Wheelbase mm 5,270 6,080 6,990 7,180+1,600 Floor height mm 860 860 860 860 Turning circle mm 18,340 21,460 23,830 24,060 Seats max 47+1 55+1 63+1 71+1 Engine OM 936 OM 470 Displacement litres 7.7 10.7 Power cv (kW)/rpm 299-353 (220-260)/2,200 394 (290)/,1,600 Torque Nm/rpm 1,200-1,400/1,200 1,900/1,000-1,400 Transmission manual GO 190, automatic ZF or Voith, automated GO 250 GVW kg 18,000 24,000
is also planned for 2022. With the new Intouro, not only the length segmentation will change. Structural improvements, modularity of the equipments and new safety systems will characterize the transition to higher standards of overall vehicle efficiency. The powertrain is ensured by the well-known 7.7-liter OM 936 engine with 299 or 353 hp for the two-axle Intouro model while by the 10.7-liter OM 470 with 394 hp for the 14.9-meter three-axle model.
The choice of gearboxes (manual, automatic or automated) also remains unchanged in order to allow the best coupling according to the type of service to be performed. Versatility is in fact the main feature of the new Intouro which, by customizing the equipments, can range from the classic use as a scheduled intercity bus to light tourism services, through shuttle bus to school bus. You can choose between different types of destination signs, as well as the second door can be single or double-leaf, and it can be
equipped with automatic or semi-automatic wheelchair lift. As for the exterior rear-view mirrors, there is a double choice: standard ones mounted on brackets, extremely cheap and easy to replace in case of damage, or integral ones that are part of the «Exterieur» set-up package for buses, which are more suitable for excursions or short trips. Depending on the application, the Intouro can be designed without luggage racks and without air circulation duct, with luggage
racks with a perforated base or, in case of tourist excursions, with a closed base. In addition to this, a version with air circulation ducts and service kit with individual reading lamps or air vent is also available, as well as with a combination of both. Different options are also available for se-
ALWAYS BETTER
the process of conIN tinuous technological innovation of the buses
offered by Mercedes-Benz, after the launch in 2018 of the 12-meter electric eCitaro and this year of the
18-meter version (see article on BusToCoach Magazine of September), both models can now, on request, be equipped with solidstate batteries instead of traditional lithium-ion batteries (NMC). The substantial benefits are a greater energy density (+25%) which results in a higher vehicle range (up to
220 km) and a longer duration, such that the basic warranty is extended to ten years. Also new for the 8.5-meter Sprinter City 75 which increases its versatility of application by fitting the 19 padded InterStar seats with safety belts. In addition to this, the Sprinter City 75 is now available with the new full-width glass partition to protect drivers from the risk of infection.
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ats, with the choice between Inter Star Eco (ISE) for scheduled services or Travel Star Eco (TSE) for touring services. The other versions can feature a removable cab base section in front of the central door or a double swivel seat in the door area 2 with double-wide door in order to maximize seating capacity. Due to the problems caused by Covid-19, it is even more important to be able to count on roof-mounted air conditioning modules (from 32 to 39 kW of power) which guarantee a permanent change of clean air in the passenger compartment. In this way, at moderate temperatures, the amount of clean air reaches 80% with a complete change every 2-4 minutes. As for the driving position, the new Intouro features a multifunction steering wheel covered in Composition leather and an instrument panel with a chrome frame and compartments with ‘iron gray’ inserts. The standard instrumentation is similar to that of
touring buses and is ready for the installation of cash registers and payment systems. Among the optional features, there is also the new Keyless Start ignition system, thanks to which the engine starts by simply pressing a button, while the standard equipment includes an electronic parking brake. For driving assistance, the Intouro is equipped with the Active Brake Assist 5 automatic emergency braking assistance system. On request, another optionally available item is Sideguard Assist, the turning assistance system with pedestrian detection. Both assistance systems support the driver and protect the road users which are the most exposed to traffic hazards. Finally, thanks to the optimization of the aerodynamics and to a lighter body shell, reduced by about 300 kg depending on vehicle operation, fuel consumption is reduced by up to 3% compared to the predecessor series. For assistance, it is fitted with the digital services of OMNIplus ON. Other articles about Mercedes: https://bustocoach.com/en/costruttore/evobus-mercedes/
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BusToCoach on-line Magazine - November / December 2020
THE COMBI ELECTRIC BUS BRANDED MAN
MAN eTGE COMBI
Lenght mm 5,986 Width mm 2,040 Height mm 2,590 Wheelbase mm 3,640 Seats max 8 Electric motor synchronous Power cv (kW)/rpm 136 (100)/0-3,300 Torque Nm 290 Battery lithium ions Battery capacity kWh 35.8 GVW kg 3,500
the range of MAN minibuses, IN alongside the TGE City and the TGE 4x4 Intercity, there is a full electric
option: the eTGE Combi. Launched one year ago at Busworld in Brussels, it is the first fully electric minibus in the MAN vehicle range. Built on the eTGE electric van, it is an M1 class vehicle with a maximum capacity of eight passengers. Flexibility on board is guaranteed by the system fixed to the Airline guides which allows to modulate the seating arrangement and to integrate, if necessary, a wheelchair lift in the rear section.
The eTGE is the full electric option for transport up to eight passengers in the German manufacturerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s portfolio
The seats are complete with three-point seat belts and a heating option. Traction is ensured by the three-phase synchronous motor mounted directly on the motor axle. It has a maximum power output of 136 hp (100 kW) at 3,300 rpm and a torque of 290 Nm. The 35.8 kWh lithium-ion batteries have a limited footprint and are placed under the floor. The maximum technical range is 173 km according to the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) and 114 km according to the WLTP (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles). A full charge of the vehicle takes about
5.5 hours if performed via a 7.2 kWh AC wallbox. If it is charged with direct current via a combined charging socket (CCS) and at a power of 40 kWh, it takes a maximum of 45 minutes to charge the vehicle up to 80%. Safety features include parking assistance with side protection, front camera for driver assistance systems, reversing camera, speed limiter and control system and a system to observe the surrounding area with the City Emergency Braking function and the EBA (Emergency Brake Assist) system. Other articles about MAN Truck & Bus: https://bustocoach.com/en/costruttore/man-truck-bus-ag-de/
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BusToCoach on-line Magazine - November / December 2020
ELECTRIC THREE -AXLE LOW ENTRY
The Urbino 15 LE Electric, had its premiere online. It is the first intercity three-axle electric bus in the Solaris range
olaris kept its word. Announced at the S beginning of the year and despite the difficult time due to the pandemic, on October
20 Solaris unveiled online its latest creation: the Urbino 15 LE Electric. The first battery-powered bus branded Solaris capable of travelling even beyond city limits, was therefore premiered on international level. This is thanks to the range which, as the manufacturer guarantees, reaches up to a few hundred kilometers on a single charge. This is
URBINO 15 LE Electric
Lenght mm 14,890 Width mm 2,550 Height mm 3,400 Wheelbase mm 7,000+1,690 Front overhang mm 2,750 Rear overhang mm 3,450 Seats max 105 Electric motor asynchronous Power cv (kW) 408 (300) Battery Solaris HE+ / HP Battery capacity kWh 470 Charging system Plug-in/pantograph GVW kg 25,000
also thanks to the flexibility of the set-ups and the variety of the different options available. The heart of the three-axle Urbino 15 LE Electric is a 300-kW asynchronous motor. To boost efficiency and to further reduce consumption, the propulsion was made in the innovative SIC technology, that is, by using silicon carbide-based circuits. The energy is derived from a set of six latest generation Solaris High Energy + batteries (four in the rear of the vehicle and two on the roof) with a total capacity of 470 kWh. Charging can be carried out in fast mode via a conventional pantograph mounted on the roof, as well as an inverted one, that is, lowered onto the roof of the bus at the charging station. The vehicle is also equipped with a plug-in connector for charging at the depot. On board the Solaris Urbino 15 LE Electric there is room for a maximum of 105 passengers, of which 53 seated. There are two additional folding seats and two seats fitted with Isofix for securing a child seat. The air conditioning system with heat pump function uses heat drawn in from outside to reach the right temperature. This solution allows to raise the energy efficiency and, therefore, the range. The vehicle is adapted to be integrated with
the eSConnect system for remote fleet management which ensures full telemetry, data analysis and the servicing of defects that have already appeared, as well as some episodes that may emerge in the future. The interactive driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s panel with touch screen combines many advanced security functions. Starting with warnings advising the fastening of seatbelts, lights and wipers
with automatic ignition, wide-angle cameras instead of side mirrors and the active driver assistance system Mobileye Shield+. The first two Urbino 15 LE Electric buses were built mainly with Scandinavian operators in mind. That is also why they adopt special solutions compliant with Busnordic standards and the so-called Scandinavian package.
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Other articles about Solaris Bus & Coach: https://bustocoach.com/en/costruttore/solaris-bus-coach-s-a-pl/
BusToCoach on-line Magazine - November / December 2020
ENVIRO 500 ARRIVES IN BERLIN
The first two units of Alexander Dennis’ new doubledecker citybus have been delivered to BVG. Up to 430 units are provided for in the framework contract
he first units of the new generation EnT viro 500 double-decker by Alexander Dennis were delivered last October to the
Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG), the public transport operator of the German capital. They are two vehicles of the Enviro 500 range, which have been tailor-made according to BVG’s requirements, while maintaining their proven benefits such as the lightweight ENVIRO 500 Lenght mm 13,798 Width mm 2,550 Height mm 4,060 Wheelbase mm 3,925+1,500 Front overhang mm 3,000 Rear overhang mm 3,373 Turning circle mm 23,072 Seats max 112 (80+32) +1 Engine OM 936 Displacement litres 7.7 Power cv (kW)/rpm 353 (260)/2,200 Torque Nm/rpm 1,400/1,200 Transmission Voith Diwa.6 Empty weight kg 16,400 GVW kg 26,000
aluminum body construction that improves fuel economy without compromising on longevity. The two Enviro500s are part of a framework contract signed in October 2018 for the supply of up to 430 units. Once the scheduled testing programme of the initial pair of vehicles delivered has been successfully completed, the company will place an order for 198 units. Berlin’s Enviro500 in the iconic BVG’s yellow colour is 13.8 meters long and 4.06 meters high. It features three doors and two staircases that facilitate rapid boarding and getting off /on busy urban services. The maximum capacity is up to 112 passen-
gers, and it is fitted with USB ports at each of the 80 fixed seats. Particular attention has been paid to the interior design, starting from the lighting that changes colour tone according to exterior air temperature. The real-time indication of upper deck seat availability is provided at the bottom of the stairs and large screens throughout the vehicle show the next stops, connections and
other relevant information for passengers. Stop request buttons which provide acoustic feedback and tactile handrails at all doors benefit visually impaired passengers. The first two Enviro500s are expected to enter service in mid-November on route 100, Berlin’s flagship, which this autumn celebrates the 30th anniversary of linking East and West of the city following the fall of the Berlin Wall.
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Other articles about Alexander Dennis: https://bustocoach.com/en/costruttore/alexander-dennis-limited/
DAIMLER BUSES
IRIZAR
AN
insanity, a gamble, the desire to be there at any cost, the optimism of the will. This may represent the 9th edition of the International Bus Expo (IBE) in Rimini which took place as scheduled in midOctober, unlike all other European fairs. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, in the best case, other fairs have postponed the event scheduled in 2020 to next year. It was surely not easy for the organizers of the event (Italian Exhibition Group) to persuade transport operators to give a signal of restart despite the actual difficulties caused by the social distancing measures that continue to weigh on transport companies, firstly those related to tourism. Among the manufacturers it was immediately clear that the IBE 2020 would not be a business opportunity as a classic form of negotiations aimed at the purchase of new vehicles. The market, especially the touring coach market, is at a standstill. Nevertheless, many exhibitors just took up the challenge of ‘showing up’, also participating in the numerous conferences and workshops that took place in the three days of the Rimini fair. TROIANI
IVECO BUS
IBE 2020: THE DESIRE TO RESTART
BusToCoach on-line Magazine - November / December 2020
The only international fair which took place as scheduled in 2020, underlined the desire to restart for one of the sectors which have been affected the most by the pandemic Among the major manufacturers, just four displayed in organised stands: Iveco Bus, MAN Truck & Bus, Irizar, Daimler Buses. In an area of 900 square meters, Iveco Bus wanted to distinguish itself with safety and sustainability proposals. Following the #safebusiness protocol, developed by the IBE to ensure the safe participation of exhibitors and visitors, four vehicles were exhibited as representative of the entire range. These were a Crossway NP that is a bus powered by a 360 hp natural gas Cursor 9 engine and a 9.5-meter Iveco E-WAY for zero-emission e-mobility powered by a 120/195 kW electric motor and 360 kWh lithium-ion NMC batteries. The minibuses
were represented by a Daily Citys for urban areas, available in Class A with 22 seats or in Class I with up to 35 passengers. Finally, touring coaches were represented by a 12.1-meter Evadys powered by a 400 hp Cursor 9 engine. For Iveco Bus, it was also an opportunity to show the measures adopted on its vehicles in order to safeguard the safety and health of drivers and passengers, according to the “Safe Inside” protocol, built on four pillars that include protective glass, sanitizing gel, air quality and treatment of surfaces and fabrics. ‘Supporting Italy on the road’ is the will expressed by MAN Truck & Bus with its participation in the IBE 2020. The consolidation
MAN TRUCK & BUS of consumer trust is essential in this sense, and this is confirmed by the latest modernisation of the bus fleet of companies such as Autolinee Liscio (25 Lion’s Intercity), Air Pullman (5 Neoplan Skyliner and 1 Lion’s Intercity LE) and the Amat of Taranto (24 Lion’s City EfficientHybrid). Another important step is the operational proximity with the customer, strengthened by the recent opening of the MAN Center in Bologna which, in addition to the sale and assistance of MAN vehicles, uses a structure specialized in the equipment and preparation of city buses and touring coaches. Four vehicles were on display at the MAN Truck & Bus stand: a 12.18-meter Lion’s City G powered by a 320 hp E1856 natural gas engine, equipped with five CNG tanks on the roof for a total of 1,690 liters of capacity and an EfficientHybrid module, a fully equipped 12.1-meter Lion’s Coach touring coach and two Neoplan coaches, a 14-meter long Skyliner L double decker bus and a 13-meter Cityliner C. Four vehicles were also on display at the Irizar stand: a 12-meter integral i8, a 12-meter SITCAR / ALFABUS
CARIND
GRUPPO D’AURIA
INDCAR AUTO CUBY
CURATOLA GROUP integral i6S fitted with lifting platform for wheelchairs, a 12-meter Irizar i6 built on a Scania chassis, and the first e-bus, a 100% electric bus with zero emissions with the Irizar brand in Italy. It is part of a batch of 14 units intended to the city of Genoa. With a length of 10.8 meters, it has a total capacity of 76 passengers and it is powered by 350 kWh batteries. A big stand but no vehicles on display for Daimler Buses which, starting from the beginning of the pandemic, has made available to its customers customized assistance and financial benefits. At the IBE there was also a significant number of Daimler Buses’ managers who interacted in the various discussions, in particular on the issues of ‘Opportunities to be seized in driverless rental’, on ‘Prevention on board the bus’ during Covid-19 and on the transition to electric buses for future mobility. Showcase of buses made in Turkey by Troiani which alongside the Temsa range (HD 13, MD7 Plus, MD9 and Maraton 13) displayed the 8.5-meter BMC Neocity and the 7.8-meter Sprinter Genius II Plus with a 22+2 seating arrangement. Noteworthy is the collaboration between Sitcar Italia and Alfabus Europa which led to the shared exhibition of the Chinese electric buses L12 and L08 (the names recall the meters of the length), the city minibus built on Crafter, the school bus built on Iveco Daily and the touring coach Voyager. The other vehicles that were displayed in Rimini represented only the category of minibuses (more or less extended), with almost similar mechanical bases and set ups, many imported from abroad.
eBUS ITALIA
RISTÈ
The 9.2-meter city and school bus versions built on Carind’s Daily are an exception, which also exhibited an Isuzu Novociti Life as a local agent. A curious vehicle was the 6.1-meter 9-seater microbus built on Isuzu manufactured by Curatola Group for the island of Capri. Noteworthy is also the 17-seater electric bus (5.5 m long, 1.5 m wide and 1.95 m high) manufactured by eBus Italia. Displayed in the diesel version, the Daily Aesio city bus manufactured by Ristè of Jesi is also available as a full electric bus. The latest version of the Sprinter Grande Capri by D’Auria Group, which has expanded its offer with the 7.7-meter Cityline electric by the Lithuanian Altas Auto, was also made in Italy. With a consolidated presence in Italy, the Spanish Indcar displayed its 28-seater Wing L8 built on a Daily, like the Moby City L7 exhibited with the colors of the AMT of Genoa where 25 units have recently been delivered. From Poland were exhibited the touring coaches Auto Cuby built on Daily and on Sprinter, available also with length over 8 meters. Same country of origin also for the three MMi models that take up the tradition of Cacciamali which was built on an Iveco Daily, in addition to the touring versions built on Sprinter. Also from Poland the Daily and Sprinter vehicles from Polster imported by Italbus. Finally, from the Czech Republic, Bus Design displayed a 7.4-meter school bus built on a Crafter and a small urban bus built on a Sprinter 516 with a platform on the lowered rear overhang. Other articles about the International Events: https://bustocoach.com/en/event-ads/
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MMi
ITALBUS / POLSTER BUS DESIGN