Bergamo launches electric BRT service with 73% dedicated lanes, 15 Yutong e-buses and signal priority

Bergamo’s new electric Bus Rapid Transit (e-BRT) system will enter passenger service on 3 August, introducing a fully electric corridor connecting Bergamo, Dalmine and Verdellino, following completion of 80% of works in March this year.

Public transport operator ATB will officially launch the electric Bus Rapid Transit (e-BRT) service on Monday 3 August, marking the start of operations on a new high-capacity public transport corridor in northern Italy. The system has been designed to connect the city of Bergamo with the municipalities of Dalmine and Verdellino, integrating with the existing T1 tramway and the future T2 line through a network based on dedicated infrastructure and priority measures.

Objective? Achieve a 4% modal shift, equivalent to moving 1.8 million car trips to public transport.

The new service operates along a route of approximately 30 km, considering both directions, crossing six municipalities between Bergamo railway station and Verdellino railway station. According to ATB, 73% of the route runs on dedicated lanes, while traffic signal priority and traffic management systems have been implemented to support regular operations.

Electric BRT infrastructure and operations in Bergamo

The corridor includes 21 stops in the Bergamo–Verdellino direction and 20 stops in the opposite direction. Passenger facilities have been equipped with photovoltaic panels, real-time passenger information displays and CCTV systems. Shelters also feature touchscreen information displays and an audio activation button providing next departure information to support accessibility.

Signal priority is managed through a dedicated control system that detects approaching e-BRT vehicles and assigns transit priority at signalised intersections. Conventional road traffic continues to use standard three-aspect traffic signals, while e-BRT vehicles receive dedicated tram-style signal indications. Once the vehicle has cleared the junction, the normal signal cycle is automatically restored. According to ATB, the traffic management platform dynamically integrates public transport priority within the wider traffic control system.

15 Yutong U18 e-buses in operation

The service will be operated by a dedicated fleet of 15 fully electric 18-metre articulated buses manufactured by Yutong. Each vehicle has a passenger capacity of up to 120 people and features a fully low-floor layout, dedicated spaces for passengers with reduced mobility and USB-C charging ports.

The buses are also equipped with camera monitoring systems replacing conventional rear-view mirrors, onboard surveillance cameras and fleet monitoring technologies connected to ATB’s operational control centre. Vehicle systems communicate with roadside infrastructure and passenger stops to support service management in real time.

The service will initially operate every 15 minutes during the summer timetable until 30 August. From 31 August, frequencies will increase to every 10 minutes during morning and evening peak periods, with a further increase to every 7.5 minutes during the morning peak from 14 September.

A new park-and-ride facility providing approximately 90 parking spaces and 40 bicycle and motorcycle spaces has also been developed along the corridor to facilitate modal interchange between private vehicles and public transport.

In brief

• When does Bergamo’s e-BRT begin passenger service? Commercial operations start on 3 August.
• How long is the corridor? The route extends approximately 30 km considering both directions between Bergamo and Verdellino.
• What vehicles are used? The service is operated by 15 fully electric 18-metre articulated Yutong buses with capacity for up to 120 passengers.
• What share of the route runs on dedicated lanes? According to ATB, 73% of the alignment operates on reserved lanes.