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It is a major step forward that all solo buses in the Budapest suburbs will soon be powered only by alternative propulsion, after 85 percent of the fleet will be renewed, according to passenger transport company Volánbusz, Világgazdaság reports.
“The procurement, placing in service 40 electrically powered Mercedes-Benz eCitaro buses, intended to make commuting more comfortable for the nearly 100,000 people living in the South Buda suburbs in addition to the capital’s residents, has been completed. Thanks to the HUF 7.6 billion net (EUR 19.7 million) development project supported by the Green Bus program and the introduction of natural gas-powered buses, the commuter belt of the capital will soon have a fleet of fully alternative-powered buses with an average age of only 0.7 years,” according to a statement from Volánbusz.
Budapest citizens could take a look at the new buses during the weekend. Photo: Facebook/András Aradszki
From March 2022, the electrically powered Mercedes-Benz eCitaro vehicles have risen the standard of public transport in the metropolitan suburbs on several lines in the Budakeszi, Budaörs, and Törökbálint areas. In the meantime, Mobiliti Volánbusz Kft. has completed the full installation of the charging poles at the transport company’s Hunyadi út site.
The forty 100-kilowatt Sicharge UC100 chargers will charge the buses’ batteries in 3-3.5 hours, enabling them to cover a distance of 130-160 kilometers, depending on weather conditions and urban traffic intensity. So far, the eco-friendly buses have transported passengers a total of almost 1.8 million kilometers.
In addition, the newly introduced county or national season tickets will also be valid from May, although these are only valid outside the administrative boundaries of Budapest. Within Budapest, a BKK ticket or a Budapest pass will still be required for travel.
The solo, low-floor, two-axle, electrically powered new buses can carry 28 seated and 50 standing passengers at a time. Other features include air-conditioning, separate space for strollers, an electronic passenger information system, and 13 USB ports. Since entering service, the buses have already covered more than 1.74 million kilometers, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 1,697 tons by replacing diesel vehicles.
Tamás Menczer, Secretary of State for Bilateral Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Member of Parliament for Pest County Constituency No. 2, pointed out that the development of modern buses has zero or lower emissions and noise pollution than conventional vehicles.
András Aradszki, Member of Parliament for Pest County Constituency No. 1, pointed out that these modern vehicles serve both climate protection and the lives of people living in the commuter belts who commute to the capital every day. According to him, the mobility of the future will be greener than the mobility of today. “Choosing public transport, including bus transport, is an easy step that anyone can take on the road to a green and sustainable future,” he emphasized.
Featured photo via Facebook/Budapesti Közlekedési Központ