The Flemish public transport operator De Lijn, headquartered in Mechelen, Belgium, is fully committed to electromobility as part of its corporate strategy.
Since 2022, it has exclusively procured electric buses, and by 2035 at the latest, De Lijn’s bus fleet is set to operate entirely with zero local emissions.
Daimler Buses will also contribute to this goal. In mid-December, the two companies signed a framework agreement for the delivery of 500 electric buses. As part of this agreement, De Lijn has already ordered 80 Mercedes-Benz eCitaro buses, which are scheduled for delivery from early 2027.
“A large number of major orders from various markets demonstrates our customers’ trust in the electric bus bearing the star and makes it a true success story” commented Mirko Sgodda, Head of Marketing, Sales & Customer Services at Daimler Buses, on the conclusion of the contract.
In a related news, Omnibus Weidachstein GmbH & Co. KG took delivery of five new Mercedes-Benz eCitaro buses at the Daimler Buses plant in Neu-Ulm.
The eCitaro buses will enter service on scheduled routes in the Neu-Ulm district, replacing five existing vehicles from the fleet of the Bavarian bus company, which has been family-owned for more than seven decades.
In addition to the locally CO₂-free electric drive, Omnibus Weidachstein GmbH & Co. KG places particular emphasis on safety and equipment for the five new eCitaro buses, which offer a maximum capacity of 90 passengers.
Safety features include Frontguard Assist, which warns of obstacles or people directly in front of the vehicle, Sideguard Assist 2, a turning assistant monitoring both sides of the bus, and Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS). Each bus is equipped with a centrally mounted reversing camera with integrated cleaning system, all-round LED lighting, a large driver protection door and the Preventive Brake Assist 2 active emergency braking system, specially developed for city buses, with enhanced pedestrian and cyclist detection.
Additional features include Traffic Sign Assist, TPM tyre pressure monitoring, roll and pitch control, and Attention Assist to monitor driver alertness.
Inside, the EvoThermatik high comfort roof-mounted air conditioning system with heat pump and Thermatronic energy-saving function ensures pleasant temperatures, while active filters with antiviral function provide protection against infections.
Passengers benefit from 36 seats upholstered in green fabric in the Mercedes-Benz Inter Star Eco configuration, complemented by handrails in an attractive yellow‑green shade. A manually operated folding ramp at the rear door, a special-use area with wheelchair support and integrated mother-and-child seats, and a TFT monitor with an 18.5-inch (47 cm) screen for infotainment complete the interior equipment.
