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Hess lighTram: Now also in Wiesbaden!

Until June 17, the transport company ESWE Verkehr will test whether the electric double-articulated bus lighTram 25 OPP from the Swiss manufacturer can prove itself in the route network of the Hessian state capital.

Andreas Kowol, Head of Traffic for the state capital Wiesbaden, Jan Görnemann and Marion Hebding, Management of ESWE Verkehr (from left to right) at the presentation of the Swiss bi-articulated bus on June 6th. The generous interior space makes the Hess lighTram 25 OPP ideal for use on high-demand routes. (Photo: ESWE Verkehr)
Andreas Kowol, Head of Traffic for the state capital Wiesbaden, Jan Görnemann and Marion Hebding, Management of ESWE Verkehr (from left to right) at the presentation of the Swiss bi-articulated bus on June 6th. The generous interior space makes the Hess lighTram 25 OPP ideal for use on high-demand routes. (Photo: ESWE Verkehr)
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von Martina Weyh

For two weeks – until June 17th – Wiesbaden's transport company ESWE Verkehr wants to get a clear picture of whether the 25 m long electric double-articulated lighTram 25 OPP bus from Swiss bus manufacturer Hess is fundamentally suitable for use on the streets of the Hessian state capital.

“We want to get a precise picture of the specific deployment possibilities of such a vehicle in our route network,” explains ESWE Verkehr's technical director, Jan Görnemann. “The test will be practical and open-ended. Our drivers, our works council, and our workshop employees will be just as involved as the city authorities. For example, the civil engineering office and the traffic authority are also on board.”

Long and special: The Hess double-articulated bus conquers the world

In collaboration with the manufacturer Hess, the electric double-articulated bus was provided for the two-week practical test by the Basel Transport Services. The Swiss electric bus is not only in service in its home country but also regularly operates in the French city of Nantes and in Brisbane, Australia.

The fully emission-free vehicle is powered purely electrically. Since two axles of the double-articulated bus are steered, the driving behavior is almost identical to that of a normal 18 or 19 m long articulated bus, according to the accompanying press release.

The Hess lighTram 25 OPP can carry up to 206 passengers in total, with 44 seated. It also provides two spaces for wheelchairs. The five-door electric double-articulated bus (4 double doors and a single door) operates with eight battery modules totaling a capacity of 533 kWh and is expected to have a range of up to 200 km, depending on climatic conditions, topography, and the number of passengers. 

If the use of electric double-articulated buses proves successful, they would be deployed exclusively on the main routes defined in the new public transport plan and could, in the medium term, be a viable alternative to the current diesel articulated buses with maximum passenger capacity, according to ESWE's considerations.

The practical test is not a preliminary commitment to the manufacturer Hess, emphasizes the Wiesbaden transport company, and another vehicle test with a bus from a different manufacturer is planned for later in the year.

Even if the decision is made in favor of electric double-articulated buses, it will still take some time before they could be deployed in ESWE Verkehr's route network – in addition to specific planning for Wiesbaden, a Europe-wide tendering process would first have to be conducted.

Moreover, developments, particularly in battery technology, continue to progress, potentially enabling greater ranges in the future. Not least, the question of additional depot space for the Wiesbaden transport company will be crucial in the procurement of double-articulated buses.

“Regardless of the specific bus type, Wiesbaden urgently needs more space for public transport. More space for passengers in the buses, but also more space for the necessary infrastructure, vehicle parking, longer accessible stops, and so on. Only with more space for public transport will we be able to further expand bus services in the state capital and thus contribute to achieving climate goals,” explains Jan Görnemann.

As during the presentation on June 6, 2023, residents of Wiesbaden will have another chance to take a close look at the Hess lighTram 25 OPP on June 10 – the 25-meter-long electric bus will be available for interested citizens to get acquainted with from 10 am to 4 pm at the train station forecourt. Test drives with passengers are not possible for legal reasons.

What does this mean?

Hess lives - the Swiss skillfully navigate between tram and bus - now also in Wiesbaden. 

 

Translated automatically from German.
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