Following a tendering exercise, Solaris has been awarded an order for 16 bi-articulated trolleybuses by operator Dopravný Podnik Bratislava (DPB).
The Slovakian operator is the first customer to opt to purchase the longest vehicle in Solaris’s range. In November last year, operator DPB tested the 24-metre trolleybus in urban traffic, on all its routes.
Due to year-on-year increases in passenger numbers, the operator was faced with the need to increase passenger capacity, so the capacious trolleybus has turned out to be a perfect solution for cities with increased passenger traffic.
The Trollino 24 will make its debut on the streets of Bratislava in mid 2023.
The bi-articulated vehicle made by Solaris was launched in 2019, at the Busworld trade fair in Brussels. It is driven by two traction motors of 160 kW each. Additional traction batteries, placed on the roof of the second section, will be recharged en route by collecting current from the overhead line.
The bi-articulated vehicle made by Solaris was launched in 2019, at the Busworld trade fair in Brussels. It is driven by two traction motors of 160 kW each. Additional traction batteries, placed on the roof of the second section, will be recharged en route by collecting current from the overhead line.
Thanks to having batteries on board, the Trollino will also be able to travel without any external power supply and by pressing one single button the driver will be able to switch from the overhead line to the traction battery drive mode.
These over-24-metre trolleybuses will provide space for 160 passengers, including 60 seated. Passenger counting sensors will be placed above the doors, arranged in a layout of 2-2-2-2-2.
This Trollino will feature an array of amenities, enhancing safety and travel comfort. Operator Dopravný Podnik Bratislava has opted for standard features such as destination blinds, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, LED-lighting in the interior, and easily accessible USB ports.
Also, a CCTV system consisting of 7 external cameras and 9 cameras monitoring the vehicle interior will be installed to aid the driver and to enhance passenger safety.
Dopravný Podnik Bratislava is the first carrier to add bi-articulated Solaris Trollino 24 trolleybuses to its fleet. Solaris Bus & Coach is one of the biggest manufacturers of trolleybuses in Europe.
The bus maker added these zero-emission vehicles to its offering back in 2001. Since then, it has supplied over 1700 trolleybuses to its customers in 18 European countries.
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| In November 2020, DPB tested the 24-metre trolleybus in urban traffic, on all its routes. |
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