Chic new X-buses for STOAG

The three new vehicles in the STOAG fleet not only look particularly stylish, but also have a new safety system.

STOAG recently received three Citaro buses from Mercedes-Benz. They are now in use on line X42, which is operated together with partner Vestische Straßenbahnen GmbH.
The new two-door X buses are equipped with a turning and blind spot assistant. The area next to the vehicle is monitored with two radar sensors. “The driving staff receives information in the vehicle via various warning signals when a person or object is next to the vehicle,” explains Stefan Thurm, head of the workshop and depot department at STOAG. The new system makes turning right even safer and can prevent a collision.

Comfort and elegance
The new buses are particularly impressive due to the design of the interior. All elements are color coordinated and make the vehicles appear pleasantly bright. Particularly padded seats, raised backrests, WiFi and USB sockets are part of the equipment and provide a relaxed driving experience. A high-quality floor and illuminated “stop” buttons are also part of the new interior design. “The new buses have tactile handrails on the second door, which are particularly helpful for visually impaired passengers,” reports Stefan Thurm.
Externally, the “new ones” differ from the otherwise green-yellow STOAG buses primarily in their white color scheme. The striking design with the word-image brand X-Bus will soon be visible throughout the Rhine-Ruhr transport association, as all buses that run on the regional X-Bus lines will now have the same look. This means that the X-buses can be recognized at first glance, regardless of the city. The interior of the new buses is also similar throughout the VRR area.

Funding from the transport association
As the approval authority for investment measures in accordance with Section 12 of the North Rhine-Westphalia Public Transport Act, the VRR supports the purchase of the vehicles with 50.000 euros each.
The X-Bus lines ensure high-quality and contemporary rapid transport. Since June 2022, the X42 express bus line has been connecting the main train station in Oberhausen with Kirchhellen, the Movie Park Germany in Bottrop and on to Dorsten. As a joint line with Vestische, the line is enjoying growing popularity. In 2023, STOAG was able to record an increase in passengers of 30% compared to the previous year. Current Vestischen passenger surveys show passenger satisfaction. “Half of all those surveyed say that they travel with the