STOAG buys buses with the most modern diesel engines

15 new Mercedes-Benz Citaro II buses are now part of the STOAG fleet: five solo buses and ten articulated buses. The buses currently meet the latest EURO VI emissions standard. This means that STOAG has invested a total of around 7,3 million euros in its vehicle fleet this year.

The use of buses with environmentally friendly technology has long been a matter of course at STOAG. “We invest in new buses almost every year and therefore have a modern fleet of buses with a low average age. That is now 6,4 years, ”says Werner Overkamp, ​​Managing Director of STOAG. “We have now received the second delivery of buses with Euro 6 engines this year.” The 15 new articulated and solo buses replace 15 old buses with the Euro 3 emissions standard from 2005 and 2006, which have a mileage of around 700.000 - have 900.000 km per vehicle. The first new buses will be deployed in regular service in about a week; at the moment they are still being equipped with the necessary communications technology. 

Significantly reduced nitrogen oxides

The European emission standard defines limit values ​​for the emission of air pollutants for motor vehicles. In the past, the limit values ​​for particulate matter (PM) and carbon monoxide (CO) in particular were tightened, the EURO VI emissions standard now include the limit values ​​for nitrogen oxide (NO_x) significantly reduced. Nitrogen dioxide pollution, which is harmful to health, is the focus of the discussion about driving bans on diesel vehicles and exceeding limits in Oberhausen on Mülheimer Straße.

"The emissions per passenger", says Werner Overkamp, ​​"are de facto hardly relevant in a modern EURO VI public transport bus."  

Extract from the emission limit values ​​for buses> 3,5t

                                                                                To: Federal Environment Agency

The procurement of diesel buses with Euro 6 engines is part of the package of measures taken by the city of Oberhausen to ensure compliance with the air quality limit values ​​as of January 1, 2018.  

In the coming year, STOAG will purchase a further 16 diesel buses. “Of course we will continue to rely on electric buses,” says Werner Overkamp. “We have just ordered three electric buses that will be delivered in autumn 2018. This means that in one year more than 40% of the bus fleet will consist of vehicles that meet the requirements for the highest emission levels. The other buses, ”continues Werner Overkamp,“ meet the second highest emissions standard
EEV (Enhanced Environmentally Friendly Vehicle).  

More space for wheelchairs, strollers and rollators 

STOAG has invested 4,55 million euros in the high-quality vehicles with the 360 ​​or 300 hp engines. Like their predecessors, they have passenger information systems, video cameras, air conditioning and wheelchair ramps. “The outward pivoting sliding doors increase the entry and exit area in the bus,” explains Stefan Thurm, who heads the STOAG workshop. "The generous space concept in the area of ​​the second door is not only suitable for wheelchair and rollator users, but also for passengers with prams and large luggage." The areas are also equipped with folding seats, which allow more flexible use of the interior. Overall, the vehicles have a capacity of 153 seats and standing places in the articulated bus and 113 seats and standing places in the solo bus. 

Reliable figures for planners 

The passenger counters above the doors of the solo buses are important for the STOAG traffic planners. “These vehicles count the passengers getting on and off at the stops on a daily basis,” says Stefan Thurm. “These counting systems, which are relevant for traffic planning, use sensors in the area of ​​the doors to record the entry and exit of passengers and provide current passenger numbers. This enables us to recognize the vehicle utilization and the line usage of our passengers and to use them in our planning. This data is also very valuable for the planning and use of buses according to size - whether solo or articulated buses - and the timetable on the individual lines, ”continues Stefan Thurm.