Bietigheim-based operator Omnibusverkehr Spillmann has already made the headlines with its emotively designed buses. What began in 2012 with six Citaro vehicles has now grown to a fleet of 26 themed vehicles and has developed into its own unique approach for a bus-based local transport concept of the future. On 4 December the extraordinary Citaro fleet grew by a further eight themed buses. Bülent Menekse, Managing Director of Omnibusverkehr Spillmann GmbH, was present at the Mannheim bus plant for the handover of the buses from Rüdiger Kappel, Head of Fleet Sales at Daimler Buses Germany and Herrmann Fröhlich, Head of the South-West Sales Region at Daimler Buses.
For years, Bülent Menekse and his team have been creating the most diverse themed vehicles based around the Mercedes-Benz Citaro, and the operator says it has been a resounding success. Thanks to their individual and comfortable style, the unique vehicles have great recognition value and lead to high customer satisfaction. It says that damage caused by vandalism is almost non-existent.
The latest themes are: ‘American School Bus,’ ‘Ocean Floor,’ ‘A History of Daimler Buses,’ ‘Germany,’ ‘A History of Spillmann,’ ‘Countries and Cultures,’ ‘Movies’ and ‘Rainforest.’ The buses are not just standard vehicles with side walls vinyled with pictures. They feature colour-coordinated hand rails and printed floors, so that as a passenger, on one bus you might be standing on an ocean floor, while on a different bus you might find yourself on a pop art pattern or a lawn. The ‘American School Bus’ carries a yellow and black external livery, which was modelled on an American school bus, and even carries the words ‘School Bus’ on the rear window.
