11.4-metre vehicle is VDL’s first double-decker bus for public transport
BERLIN On August 11 the first VDL Citea Low Floor double-decker was delivered to the Berlin Transport Authority (BVG, Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe).
With this 11.4-metre, two axle vehicle VDL has entered the double-decker bus segment for public transport lines. The Citea DLF-114 has two staircases to the upper deck and can accommodate up to 97 passengers. The Citea DLF-114 is expected to be deployed on the bus lines in the Spandau borough of Berlin starting in early October.
To ensure that they continue to have the right transport resources to meet the wide range of requirements of a growing city, BVG tests new buses regularly. A key aspect of these tests is the flow of passengers, especially between the lower and upper deck, particularly in combination with the waiting time at the stops and the occupancy of the lower and upper deck.
“We are pleased to be the first large passenger transport company to have the opportunity to extensively test this new vehicle,” said Dr. Sigrid Evelyn Nikutta, CEO of BVG. “We are also curious to see whether the VDL double-decker meets our stringent requirements with regard to comfort, quality and efficiency during the testing phase, and whether this bus could be a useful addition to the existing BVG fleet.”
“We are proud to present the very first Citea double-decker in the world to BVG for use in their practical testing, and we are very pleased that BVG have once again placed confidence in us,” said Silke Tödter, General Manager VDL Bus & Coach Deutschland.
Due to a combination of vehicle superstructure and a lightweight low floor construction, the Citea DLF has a low net weight, which results in improved fuel economy and minimal exhaust emissions.
For the passengers, the VDL Citea DLF-114 offers some upgrades to the buses in BVG’s current fleet. The rows of seats on the upper deck are equipped with USB connections. Passengers can see how many seats are available on the upper deck via a display on the lower deck. The boarding area has heated floors. Led lamps on the staircases and each tread provide better visibility. Kerb lighting and ribbed hand grips at the second door offer visually impaired passengers better orientation when boarding and alighting.
