MIT.BUS GmbH has put ten new natural gas-powered vehicles into operation. The subsidiary of Stadtwerke Giessen has thus achieved an important goal: all Giessen buses now run on environmentally friendly bio natural gas, ensuring cleaner air in the city.
The debate about excessive nitrogen oxide concentrations, particulate matter and the threat of driving bans in cities is never-ending. Yet there have long been cleaner alternatives - at least as far as local public transport is concerned: natural gas instead of diesel. Or even better, bio natural gas. It is precisely this environmentally friendly energy source that now powers all 54 vehicles of MIT.BUS GmbH. The subsidiary of Stadtwerke Gießen (SWG) is thus bringing a provisional conclusion to a project that began back in 2006: over the past 13 years, MIT.BUS has gradually converted its entire fleet to this efficient and clean engine technology. "We are now almost CO2-neutral," says Mathias Carl, Managing Director of MIT.BUS, on the occasion of the official commissioning of the ten new natural gas buses.
The gradual switch to natural gas in the bus tanks is part of the SWG Group's long-term strategy. "For us, there was never any question of buying a few low-emission vehicles and then draping them prominently in the shop window," adds Matthias Funk, Chief Technical Officer at SWG. "We also didn't need the diesel debate as a trigger. We were concerned with sustainable local public transport right from the start." Astrid Eibelshäuser, Chairwoman of the SWG Supervisory Board and representative of the city, expressed her satisfaction with MIT.BUS's commitment: "There are probably not too many cities in Germany that have a comparably clean bus fleet - and have had one for such a long time."
Ecologically and economically ahead
MIT.BUS has actually invested money in the complete switch to natural gas drive. "The current purchase of three articulated trains and seven solo coaches has an investment volume of around 3.4 million euros," adds Jens Schmidt. This means that the vehicles are slightly more expensive than conventional diesel buses in terms of purchase costs. However, from an economic point of view at the latest, they quickly roll to the top of the field. All experts agree that pollutant emissions cost a lot of money in the short or long term.
Prof Dr Ralph Pütz from Landshut University of Applied Sciences explained how well bio natural gas buses compare with vehicles powered by other fuels. At the Institute for Applied Commercial Vehicle Research and Exhaust Gas Analysis, he analysed the various drive systems currently available - including in real operation in MIT.BUS vehicles. "This field test with the local route profile also confirmed that the natural gas drive achieves significantly better nitrogen oxide values than a diesel engine," summarises the professor. If - as in Giessen - bio natural gas flows into the cylinders, CO2 emissions are also reduced to a minimum. The Giessen buses are still ahead even in comparison with electric buses: "The results of our studies show that bio natural gas is the cleanest and most economically viable solution in the medium term. Over the next decade, the use of biogas in Euro VI natural gas engines will remain by far the most environmentally friendly and affordable option. As a scientist, I am appalled by the dictatorship of technology that is currently evident in the amendment to the EU Clean Vehicles Directive. I therefore call on politicians to immediately return to technology neutrality on the basis of efficiency regulations," continues Prof Dr Ralph Pütz.
Dr Timm Kehler, CEO of the industry initiative Zukunft Erdgas, takes a similar view. He puts it like this: "Using gas instead of diesel hardly costs any more, but is good for the environment. Buses powered by renewable gas are currently the most ecological and economical alternative to diesel, as our public transport study shows. Another plus point is the delivery time: the technology is fully developed and therefore immediately available. Cities like Giessen, which want to realise the greatest possible climate protection with their scarce funds, therefore rely on gas."
Not only sensible, but also convenient
Of course, in addition to environmental considerations, economic considerations are right at the top of MIT.BUS's agenda when it comes to new vehicles. But of course those responsible also think about passenger comfort. All ten new buses, like some of their predecessors, have more space - for prams, walking frames and wheelchairs, for example. External swivelling sliding doors provide more space in the interior. In addition, all new vehicles are equipped with video surveillance systems for greater safety. Glass roof hatches allow plenty of daylight into the articulated buses. And when this is not available, efficient LEDs ensure a pleasant and modern ambience. MIT.BUS also took into account a suggestion from the passenger advisory board for additional stopping options. There are now additional handrails in the standing area of the second door.
Now that MIT.BUS has also replaced the last ten diesel vehicles with natural gas-powered ones, Giessen now has a state-of-the-art, efficient, clean and economical bus fleet that is fit for the foreseeable future. "We are delighted about this today," says Mathias Carl. He immediately adds: "We take our mission very seriously. That's why we keep a close eye on technical developments. And when new, even better drive systems are on the horizon, we will sit down together again and make a sustainable decision."