Flexibility is the order of the day with the new Solaris/Hess bus train for German operator Verkehrsgesellschaft Kirchweihtal GmbH. The bus train combines a low-entry Solaris Urbino 12 LE intercity bus with a low-floor passenger
trailer built by Swiss specialist Hess.
Solaris Bus & Coach and Hess have for the first time delivered a modern bus train to a German operator. For Kaufbeuren-based Verkehrsgesellschaft Kirchweihtal GmbH, it opens up new possibilities in flexible scheduling.
Meeting peaks in passenger numbers is no problem for the new, 23.6-metre Solaris/Hess bus train. When schoolchildren create high demand between Kaufbeuren and Mindelheim, the bus no longer is on its own, but is joined by the spacious passenger trailer. Between them, bus and trailer offer 83 seats and provide capacity for a total of 155 passengers.
Fitted for trailer operation are two new 12-metre Solaris Urbino 12 LE are fitted for trailer operation. Their low-entry design combines easy low-floor access with high passenger capacity. The robust underframe of the rear part of the vehicle allows them to be fully adapted for the tractive forces of passenger trailer operation.
The bus train is completed by a passenger trailer built by Hess. The low-floor trailer has a length of 9.8 metres. Wide double doors ensure short stop dwell times.
"In choosing this bus train, Verkehrsgesellschaft Kirchweihtal has opted for an extremely cost-efficient mode of transport," said Solaris Regional Sales Manager Rudi Hönle at the official handover in Kaufbeuren. "The Solaris Urbino 12 LE shows its strengths as a reliable and attractive intercity bus. Thanks to our partner Hess, its capacity can now be doubled at any time, making it fit for any operational requirements."
"With this bus train, Verkehrsgesellschaft Kirchweihtal benefits from Hess’s long-standing experience in building passenger trailers," said Jörg Räber, Sales Advisor at Hess.
Verkehrsgesellschaft Kirchweihtal was established in 1925 and is based in the Bavarian city of Kaufbeuren. It provides city and regional bus services throughout Ostallgäu district as well as in neighbouring Unterallgäu and Landsberg am Lech. 55 buses are used on twelve city bus routes and nine regional bus routes, carrying 3.5 million passengers a year.
Image Captions
Image 1: Solaris Regional Sales Manager Rudi Hönle (right) hands over the Solaris Urbino 12 LE to Dirk Elies, Managing Director of Verkehrsgesellschaft Kirchweihtal GmbH (left).
Images 2+3: The new Solaris/Hess bus train of Verkehrsgesellschaft Kirchweihtal GmbH.
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Information Solaris
Solaris Bus & Coach sp. z o.o. is a leading producer of city and intercity buses in Europe. It focuses on the development of low-emission and zero-emission vehicles, i. e. electric and hydrogen buses as well as trolleybuses. Over 25,000 Solaris vehicles have been delivered so far and they ply the streets in 850 towns and cities across 33 countries located throughout Europe as well as beyond it. Solaris is part of the Spanish CAF Group (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles) S.A. From conception, to the design and manufacturing phases, all Solaris buses are produced in Poland. All activities undertaken by the company are in line with its mission, which is reflected in the brand’s promise: to change the image of public transport. Solaris also actively partners with public transport operators and provides them with comprehensive support in their transition to zero-emission mobility. Solaris products have been repeatedly awarded for quality and innovation. The Urbino 18 hydrogen bus has won the prestigious 'Bus of the Year 2025' title.
Additional information
Mateusz Figaszewski
Institutional Partnerships and External Relations Director
mateusz.figaszewski@solarisbus.com
