After the new Solaris Urbino city bus was officially presented in 2014, the new model went into serial production in 2015. Now, Urbino in the new version are being systematically delivered to the customers. Josef Ettenhuber GmbH from Bavaria was the first operator to purchase the new Solaris. This new Urbino 12 was put into service within the regional bus network of the Munich Transport and Tariff Association (MVV). Further new generation buses, including articulated 18-metre versions, will arrive in Austria, Germany, Norway, Poland and Italy in the next few months.
The recently-launched new Solaris Urbino 12, the flagship product of the innovating manufacturer of city buses and trams, is a completely new design of a city bus, which provides robust rigidity while being significantly lighter in weight. The new construction of the vehicle is expected to lower fuel consumption and operating costs and guarantees highly distinguished aesthetics. High standards of comfort for passengers were achieved through a spacious and bright interior supported by its assured handling. The whole was completed with the eye-catching, expressive, but also functional design which creates attractive travelling environment for passengers.
The engine tower of the new Urbino 12 has been prepared to fit smaller as well as lighter engines of different sizes. In the Urbino 12 for Ettenhuber, the efficient and green Cummins ISB6.7, which meets the restrictive Euro 6 limits, is matched to the automatic gear box ZF EcoLife. By making the decision of purchasing this much lighter city bus fitted with a smaller engine, the weight is lower by 1200 kg compared with previous Urbino 12 operated by Ettenhuber.
“The fact that we have already ordered a further two 12-metre Solaris buses is clear evidence of how convinced we are of our new product’s quality. We will receive the vehicles at the end of next year. These buses will help us improve not only our fleet’s performance, but also will distinguish our company’s vehicles by their eye-catching and attractive appearance”, said Josef Ettenhuber Jr, the owner of Josef Ettenhuber GmbH.
“We are very glad to hear such a positive evaluation from Josef Ettenhuber Jr, one of Solaris’s most loyal customers. We are sure that the new Urbino will prove itself on European streets and by its modern design will make public transport even more attractive for passengers,” said Andreas Strecker, CEO of Solaris Bus & Coach.
High standards of comfort for passengers are achieved not only through a larger pedestal-free floor area (accommodating 19+2 of a total of 36+2 seats), but also thanks to air-conditioning in the whole passenger compartment. A separate air-conditioning unit serves the driver’s cab. Energy-efficient LED lighting is used both inside the bus as well as for all exterior lamps.
Service accessibility of the new Urbino 12 is improved with screwed body paneling, allowing quick replacement and repair in case of damage. Hatches now open to 170°, 40° more than before, to facilitate easy access to components.
Axle loads are better distributed by shifting some of the weight from the drive axle to the front of the bus, including a centralized assembly of all compressed air tanks at the front. The changes deliver a higher passenger carrying capacity, better drive dynamics and improved servicing. Improved insulation will lower operating costs and raise comfort levels.
Solaris has been working with Josef Ettenhuber GmbH for eleven years. Since 2014, the Bavarian operator ordered a total of seventy-six Solaris buses. A new stage of this successful cooperation will begin with the delivery of the new Urbino 12.
Soon, further Urbino in the new design will be handed over to customers in Germany, Norway, Poland, Austria and Italy. The new Urbino has generated a lot of interest especially on the German market. Further customers from Germany are Martin Geldhauser GmbH with four Urbino 12 as well as independent bus operators Kessels-Reisen GmbH, Wies Faszinatour and H. Sandrock GmbH, who each purchased one 12-metre vehicle. At fourteen new Urbino 18, the biggest contract so far comes from BOGESTRA, the municipal operator of Bochum, Gelsenkirchen and Witten in the Ruhr area. In addition, VTF Luckenwalde and BBG Eberswalde ordered a new Solaris 18 each. With three 12-metre and two articulated buses, HSB Hanau joins the group of buyers of the new Solaris. Solaris has also acquired a first order for its new product with electric drive. üstra from the city of Hannover decided to buy three vehicles, which will be handed over in December this year. The batteries of these new Urbino 12 electric will be charged with the use of pantographs.
In Austria, the first order for six the new Solaris Urbino was placed by ÖBB Postbus, the biggest operator in this Alpine state. Soon Urbino in the newest design will operate on Solaris’s domestic market, Poland. The first 12-metre unit of this very promising model will go to Wejherowo, and further two vehicles will be delivered to Grudziądz. Płock will receive four buses, three Urbino 12 and one Urbino 18.
New Solaris Urbino were sold also in sunny Italy. This year the first 12-metre new Solaris will boost the fleet of the operator SUN S.p.A from Novara in north-western Italy. ATM Genova has ordered two articulated vehicles. In Scandinavia, Norwegian customer Norgesbuss AS has ordered two Urbino 12, which will be running in the city of Oslo.
Introducing the new vehicle to the market opens a new chapter in Solaris’s history. With the new generation of buses, Solaris will tap into growth potential and make the company more competitive in the bus and trolleybus markets.
The intention of the designers was to create a city bus that by its mere appearance and appealing interior would increase passenger growth and make public transport more popular.
About Solaris Bus & Coach
Solaris Bus & Coach is a major European producer of city, intercity and special-purpose buses as well as low-floor trams. Since the start of production in 1996, over 12 000 vehicles have already left the factory in Bolechowo near Poznań. They are running in 29 countries. Despite its young age, Solaris has become one of the trendsetting companies in its industry. For many years it has been the indisputable leader among the suppliers of city buses in Poland as well as one of the largest suppliers of city buses in Germany.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Mateusz Figaszewski
Deputy Director, Head of Public Relations
mateusz.figaszewski@solarisbus.com
Mobile: +48 601 652 179
Information Solaris
Solaris Bus & Coach sp. z o.o. is one of the leading producers of city and intercity buses in Europe. It focuses in particular on the development of zero-emission vehicles, i. e. electric and hydrogen buses as well as trolleybuses. This has resulted in the widest zero-emission product range in the European market and a leading position in this segment with a market share of 15.2%. Nearly 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. Moreover, all activities undertaken by the manufacturer are in line with the brand’s mission, which is reflected in the motto “We are changing 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.
Additional information
Mateusz Figaszewski
E-mobility Development & Market Intelligence Director
mateusz.figaszewski@solarisbus.com
