Solaris’ Trolleybus Expansion in Europe

At the beginning of October, representatives of Solaris Bus & Coach S.A. signed a contract with the public transport operator of Kaunas city, UAB Kauno Autobusai, for the supply of 85 ultra-modern Solaris Trollino 12 trolleybuses. In line with the terms of the deal, the delivery of the zero-emission vehicles from Bolechowo shall be carried out over a period of 15 months from the signing of the contract.

Assuming the supply of 85 Solaris Trollino 12, the order placed by the Lithuanian operator is worth nearly EUR 30 million. With this agreement Solaris has solidified its position as European leader in trolleybus production, thus continuing a series of orders scored over the past months. Apart from landing the trolleybus commission for Kaunas, Solaris has recently signed deals for the delivery of 50 articulated Trollino 18 trolleybuses to Cluj Napoca in Romania and of another 80 vehicles of the same type to Milan in Italy.

The trolleybuses ordered by UAB Kauno Autobusai will accommodate up to 85 passengers, of whom 27 are seated. The entrance to the trolleybus is facilitated by a 2+2+2 door arrangement and a kneeling function thanks to which the right hand side of the trolleybus is lowered when it arrives at a stop. For even more travel comfort, the vehicle passenger compartment will be air-conditioned. The environmental-friendly trolleybuses are equipped with an asynchronous traction motor with a power of over 150 kW.

Furthermore, the trolleybuses will be fitted with ecological LED lighting consisting also of lamps illuminating the pantograph and the traction lines. Apart from a comprehensive passenger information system, the bus will encompass a video surveillance system including a recording system that will monitor not only the passenger compartment but also the driver’s cabin. Moreover, the Polish producer will install a series of other amenities for drivers in the ordered vehicles, thus making the drivers’ work easier and safer. These facilitations include a breath alcohol ignition interlock which prevents the driver from starting the engine whenever the device detects an excessive alcohol level in the driver’s breath. The Trollino 12 for Kaunas will also possess an electric power steering (EPS) pump consisting of two pumps – the chief one, installed next to the traction motor, and an auxiliary one. Thanks to this arrangement, even when there is no power coming from the traction line, the power steering system of the vehicle will still be able to operate.

By implementing the order for UAB Kauno Autobusai, Solaris Bus & Coach S.A., reasserts its position on the European market as leader of trolleybus production and it strengthens its already solid standing on the Lithuanian market to which it has already delivered over 220 vehicles; it is also about to complete the delivery of another 150 vehicles to the Vilnius-based operator. Nearly 100 Solaris, including 42 trolleybuses, are currently roaming the streets of Kaunas in Lithuania.