Switzerland, St. Gallen cancels contract with Ebusco, issues new tender for 13 electric buses

The public transport operator in St. Gallen, Verkehrsbetriebe St.Gallen (VBSG), has launched a new procurement process for 13 battery-electric buses. This follows the cancellation of a previous contract and marks another step in the city’s transition to an all-electric bus fleet by 2030.

The new St. Gallen tender for electric buses, published on the official Swiss procurement platform Simap, covers 12-metre standard battery-electric buses and incorporates lessons learned from earlier procurement phases, the city points out in a press note. The move comes after a contract signed in 2024 with Ebusco was terminated due to the crisis of the Dutch manufacturer and consequent missed deadlines. VBSG has since initiated a revised tender process to keep the transition plan on track.

VBSG tender for electric buses is out

While the tender focuses on standard 12-metre buses, it also includes the possibility of procuring 18-metre articulated battery buses as part of a future third fleet renewal phase. This optional clause allows the operator to evaluate articulated buses as a complement to its current battery trolleybus fleet. Unlike trolleybuses, these vehicles would not depend on overhead wires and would instead charge at the depot, offering greater operational flexibility.

VBSG continues to see trolleybuses as a key component of its fleet, especially for high-capacity lines. These vehicles can charge while in motion and offer extended daily operational range. Their smaller batteries also free up capacity for passengers and could benefit from anticipated daytime electricity price trends. The city’s 22 battery trolleybuses, in operation since the early 2010s, have had their lifespan extended through upgrades but will need replacement by 2032 as they approach 20 years in service.

In parallel with the St. Gallen tender for electric buses, the operator is also planning the electrification of line 12 and developing replacement strategies for both diesel and trolleybus fleets. These plans are subject to coordination with cantonal authorities and will require public approval. A referendum is scheduled for 2026 to decide on further investments.

The fleet renewal strategy, launched in 2021, is gradually replacing St. Gallen’s 49 remaining diesel buses. The city currently operates 55 electric buses across various technologies, including battery-electric, trolley, and battery-trolleybus models. The ultimate goal is a fully electric fleet by the end of this decade.