BVB Basel (Switzerland) to get 8 articulated e-buses from Hess and 57 eCitaro

Basler Verkehrs-Betriebe (BVB) and Carosserie Hess yesterday signed the contract for the procurement of eight electric double-articulated buses, following the tender awarded in May. The vehicles are to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2022. The contract with EvoBus (Schweiz) AG will also be signed in September. The latter will deliver a total of 57 e-buses (more than the 54 previously announced) from the fourth quarter of 2022.

The Swiss PTO has planned a total of 126 e-buses to enter service by 2027.

BVB Basel to introduce 126 e-buses by 2027

Basel’s public transport operator Basler Verkehrs-Betriebe (BVB) and Carosserie Hess signed the contract yesterday, and the vehicles (lighTram 25 OPP model) are set to be delivered in the Q4 2022. And within September another e-bus contract is going to be signed, BVB points out in a press note: EvoBus (Schweiz) AG will provide 57 e-buses (both 12-meter and articulated) from the fourth quarter of 2022.

Contrary to the original plan, BVB is procuring 19 instead of 16 eCitaro 12-meter buses in the first procurement phase. The reason for this is the extension of line 46. In return, BVB will procure three fewer e-buses in the
procurement in 2027 (61 instead of 64 e-buses as originally planned).

The double-articulated electric buses from Hess are expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2022 and, after a test phase, will be used on line 50 between the SBB station and the EuroAirport.

BVB Director Bruno Stehrenberger comments: “This is an important step towards an even more environmentally friendly, quieter and modern bus fleet. We are very pleased that we will also be able to count double-articulated buses among our fleet in the future”.

Alex Naef, CEO of Carosserie HESS AG, adds: “We are extremely pleased to be able to offer our expertise in the field of electric buses in Basel.”