Hybrid megatrolleybus starts to operate in Bratislava
photo: Bratislava Transport Company (DPB)
Bratislava Transport Company, Dopravný podnik Bratislava (DPB), has launched a new type of urban electric transport - Škoda-Solaris 24m megatrolleybus. This is a three-section hybrid vehicle that is 24 metres long and equipped with batteries, which allows it to travel longer sections of streets without a contact network. Bratislava became the first city in Central and Eastern Europe to use such long trolleybuses on public transport routes.
The three-section Škoda-Solaris 24m trolleybus started operating on the streets of Bratislava on Thursday, 16 November. It serves the popular route No. 71, which connects the central railway station with the eastern part of the city, according to the press service of the Bratislava Transport Company (DPB).
The regular route is the next stage of homologation tests of the three-section Škoda-Solaris 24m trolleybus. It has already covered almost 2,500 test kilometres on the streets of Bratislava, 1,250 kilometres of which were with a load. Not only the functioning of the necessary elements, including the information system will be checked during the operation of the megatrolleybus on route 71, but also the door opening and alarm systems.
After the test phase, DPB plans to put into operation all 16 megatrolleybuses, which will be supplied by a consortium of Solaris Bus & Coach sp. z o.o., Solaris Slovakia s.r.o. and ŠKODA ELECTRIC a.s. DPB estimates that the megatrolleybuses will increase the number of seats offered on route 71 by 20% and the total number of vehicles by almost 50%.
The megatrolleybus serves route 71, which connects the central and eastern parts of Bratislava. Source: (DPB)
"I am happy that the megatrolleybus is moving on to the next stage and will start transporting residents of our city. This is an important thing for improving traffic. In recent years, we have significantly shortened the intervals on many routes, so that today transport runs more frequently. In Bratislava, we want and need to increase the capacity of public transport, and we can do this with bigger and more powerful vehicles. On many routes, we already have such short intervals that attracting additional vehicles can be a problem. That is why larger vehicles are the solution," said Matusz Wallo, Mayor of Bratislava.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MEGATROLLEYBUS
Škoda-Solaris 24m megatrolleybus is equipped with two traction motors of 160 kW each. Additional traction batteries located on the roof of the second section are charged during movement from the trolleybus contact network. Due to the batteries, the trolleybus will also operate without an external power source. The driver will be able to switch from main operation to traction battery operation at the touch of a button.
One three-section megatrolleybus can carry up to 160 passengers, including 60 people on seats. Passenger counters will be located above the doors, which are installed in a 2-2-2-2-2-2-2 pattern. The municipal carrier DPB chose standard solutions, including directional signage, air conditioning, wireless internet, interior LED lighting and public USB charging ports.
A MAJOR PURCHASE
By the end of 2023, the Bratislava Transport Company (DPB) plans to introduce 50 new hybrid trolleybuses to city routes. This will include 16 megatrolleybuses, 23 articulated trolleybuses and 11 standard 12-metre hybrid trolleybuses. All of them will be equipped with a battery drive for operation in areas without overhead lines.
The value of this purchase is more than €29 million, of which €17 million will be spent on 24-metre giants (€940,000 per unit). The purchase of these vehicles was funded by the European Union through the Operational Programme for Integrated Infrastructure (OPII).
The new hybrid trolleybuses are expected to serve not only route 71, but also bus routes 41, 61 and trolleybus route 40, where trolleybuses with an auxiliary diesel generator are currently running.
From March 2024, three-section mega-trolleybuses Škoda-Solaris 24m will also start running on the streets of Prague. The local municipal carrier DPP has purchased 20 vehicles of this type.