In July the official hand-over of the first ever hydrogen public transport bus took place in Poland. The Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen bus is being leased by public transport operator Miejskie Zakłady Komunikacji [MZK] in the city of Konin. Thus, Poland is now a proud member of the select group of countries, such as Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden, which are already using this cutting-edge, zero-emission technology supplied by Solaris.
The Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen city bus destined for Konin will cover around 300 kilometers on work days and Saturdays, and about 200 kilometers on Sundays and holidays. The vehicle will be deployed on bus routes 50, 52, 54, 56 and 59. Refueling will take place at a dedicated mobile station located on the premises of the power plant ZE PAK S.A. in Konin.
“The hydrogen economy is becoming an area in which more and more sectors are getting involved: aviation, rail, industry, energy and housing. Our company embarked on this forward-looking direction several years ago now, and days like today are our greatest reward and proof that our projects are becoming a reality. Today, the city of Konin is opening up a new chapter in the history of public transport in Poland, a chapter featuring cutting-edge hydrogen-fueled public transport vehicles”, said Javier Calleja, CEO of Solaris Bus & Coach.
“Undoubtedly, buses equipped with hydrogen fuel cells are the future of public transport. A future that today is becoming reality in Konin. Boldly, but also fully aware of our responsibility, we are starting ‘here and now’ this hydrogen transport venture, because numerous operators and authorities responsible for public transport in Poland are waiting to learn from our experience”, commented Magdalena Przybyła, CEO of MZK Konin.
According to forecasts, a few hundred hydrogen buses will be cruising the streets across Poland in the next few years. The Upper Silesian metropolitan area has declared an intention to purchase 20 buses of this type, while the city of Poznań has committed to buying 25 such vehicles, and Cracow up to 150 units. Today, Konin has launched this hydrogen revolution in Poland and set new standards for the planning and management of city bus fleets.
Source: Solaris
