SWITZERLAND VDL Bus & Coach has delivered the first Citea electric for PostBus Switzerland.
The 12m bus is part of a pilot project and is deployed on route 342 between Sarnen Bahnhof and Alpnach Dorf Bahnhof. PostBus intends to gain experience with electric operation through running the bus and, in addition to the vehicle itself, the manufacturer has supplied the charging station.
“With numerous E-Mobility projects in the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Sweden and Norway and more than 200 electric buses on the road, VDL is an experienced partner for the implementation of efficient, emission-free public transport,” said Alex de Jong, Business Manager Public Transport for VDL Bus & Coach.
“We are delighted to have had this opportunity to put our experience to good use for the implementation of electric buses in Switzerland.”
The Citea SLF-120 electric supplied is equipped with an 180kWh battery pack that is being slow-charged both at night at the depot in Sarnen and during the day at the Alpnach Dorf Bahnhof station by means of plugs (150kW).
That’s the last stop on the route, where the bus stops for an average of 15 minutes to be charged, and will enable it to operate throughout the day.
PostBus Switzerland is a public transport leader in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
With more than 4,000 employees and 2,200 vehicles at its disposal, it carries over 152m passengers per year.
Its trademark – the three-tone horn and the yellow Postbuses – are part of Switzerland’s cultural identity.
The PostBus brand embodies the values of reliability, security and trust. The company works daily on the further expansion of its network, which covers over 12,000km.
