Prior to manufacturing, BKV specialists discussed with the contractor of the company’s new maximidi buses in Mannheim about the interior design and electronic system functions that would perfectly meet passenger needs. The public transport company of Budapest signed a contract for the long-term lease of Mercedes-Benz Citaro K buses in November last year.

65 new maximidi buses will be added to the BKV fleet with up-to-date equipment, with ergonomic cabins, on-board cameras and a modern passenger information system that also shows transfer connections. Passengers will also benefit from USB charging ports located at the seats. The buses have low floors and are air-conditioned, and the exterior and interior lighting is provided by energy-saving LEDs. The modern, 7.7-litre engine, classified in the Blue EURO VI-E environmental protection class, has low average fuel consumption and environmental impact.

Tibor Bolla, CEO of BKV, said about the development: commissioning the participating vehicles for traffic is a significant milestone in the BKV fleet rejuvenation programme. With the new vehicle replacement, approximately 8 percent of the bus fleet will be modernized with units that meet contemporary expectations in terms of aesthetics, technology and passenger comfort.

The detailed tender notice for new vehicles usually contains the most precise technical specifications possible, however, before manufacturing begins, certain subjects must be agreed with the contractor so that the new members of the fleet will be perfectly aligned with passenger needs and the public transport system of Budapest. During the visit to Mannheim, BKV and Mercedes-Benz specialists clarified several details related to design and functionality. Among other things, they appointed the number and location of handrails, ticket validating machines and stop buttons, the exact operating principle and role of the switches on the driver's cabin dashboard, as well as the colour and finish of smaller body and coating elements. A particularly important goal of the meeting was to ensure that the electronic on-board devices of the vehicles – especially the passenger counter – could communicate with the FUTÁR (traffic management and passenger information) system in a “Budapest-specific way” and comply with its special technical criteria in all respects.

The arrival of the new Mercedes-Benz Citaro K also opens the way for the expansion of assistance vehicle systems in BKV. With these features, safety is not only increased by cameras monitoring the passenger compartment and traffic, but also by blind spot detection sensors, tire pressure monitoring system, driver alertness monitoring, traffic-sign recognition and pedestrian and cyclist detection systems. Special attention is paid to the cybersecurity of vehicles equipped with IT devices as well.

BKV Zrt. signed a contract with Truck-Trailer & Parts Ltd. for the long-term lease of 65 (+20 optional) maximidi buses in November last year. The agreement is for 96 months and can be extended for another 24 months.