VDL Bus & Coach delivers first Citea Low Floor double-decker to BVG
On 11 August the first VDL Citea Low Floor double-decker was delivered to the Berlin Transport Authority (BVG, Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe). With this new 11.40-metre-long, 2-axle vehicle VDL has now entered the double-decker bus segment for public transport lines. The Citea DLF-114 has two staircases to the upper deck and can accommodate up to 97 passengers. As such, the DLF-114 fulfils both the economic and environmental requirements of modern-day city traffic, with a maximum number of seats and passengers for a 2-axled unit. This highly efficient alternative for the city meets all aspects of the requirements VDL sets in connection with its brand value “Profit of Ownership”. The Citea DLF-114 is expected to be deployed on the bus lines in the Spandau borough of Berlin starting in early October.
Extensive practical testing
To ensure that they continue to have the right transport resources to meet the widely ranging
requirements of a growing city BVG tests new buses regularly. A key aspect of these tests is the
flow of passengers, especially between the lower and upper deck, and particularly in combination
with the waiting time at the stops and the occupancy of the lower and upper deck. In addition to
testing, interviews are conducted to survey passengers’ subjective impressions. Of course the
BVG drivers involved in the testing are also asked to share their findings.
“We are pleased to be the first large passenger transport company to have the opportunity to
extensively test this new vehicle,” said Dr. Sigrid Evelyn Nikutta, CEO of BVG. “We are also
curious to see whether the VDL double-decker meets our stringent requirements with regard to
comfort, quality and efficiency during the testing phase, and whether this bus could be a useful
addition to the existing BVG fleet.”
“We are proud to present the very first Citea double-decker in the world to BVG for use in their
practical testing, and we are very pleased that BVG have once again placed confidence in us,” said
Silke Todter, General Manager VDL Bus & Coach Deutschland.
Citea DLF-114
In developing the new VDL Citea DLF (Double deck Low Floor), optimum use will be made of the
module system around which the Citea range is built. Thanks the clever combination of vehicle
superstructure and a lightweight low floor construction, the Citea DLF also has a low net weight,
which results in excellent fuel economy and minimal emissions of harmful exhaust gases. Add to
that the long service life and the result is maximum ‘Profit of Ownership’.
For the passengers, the VDL Citea DLF-114 offers some extras and innovations compared to the
buses in BVG’s current fleet. The rows of seats on the upper deck are equipped with USB
connections. Via a display on the lower deck passengers can see how many seats are still free on
the upper deck. The boarding area has heated floors. Furthermore, the Citea DLF features a new,
innovative interior concept. The floor covering at the boarding area, on the stairs and in the upper
deck area is made in a lighter colour and the seat fabric has a completely new colour. Led lamps
on the staircases and each tread provide better visibility. Kerb lighting and ribbed hand grips at the
second door offer visually impaired passengers better orientation when boarding and alighting.
The Berlin Transport Authority (BVG)
Three million people travel on buses, trams and metros in Berlin each day. That is nearly
equivalent to the city’s entire population. The Berlin Transport Authority carried no fewer than 978
million passengers in 2014. Germany’s largest municipal transport company operates a total of 10
metro lines, 22 tram lines and 151 bus lines, in addition to five ferry connections. 173 metro
stations, 808 tram stops and around 6,500 bus stops form the backbone for mobility in the
neighbourhoods and districts. BVG and S-Bahn Berlin GmbH provide the city’s residents with
transportation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
