Bus company Bergkvarabuss trusts Scania all the way
22 JUNE 2022
Business at Bergkvarabuss runs smoother and cleaner with the delivery of the complete solution of the traffic assignment for the town of Strängnäs, about 90 km west of Stockholm, Sweden. In addition to 34 Scania electric and biogas buses, Scania delivers complete workshop and depot services – including charging infrastructure for the battery electric (BEV) buses.
Trusted supplier
Scania is trusted to supply the vehicles, the charging infrastructure and to run the daily service and maintenance in the depot, provided by the county traffic authorities, Region Sörmland. The operator Bergkvarabuss employs drivers and the service staff for keeping the buses clean and tidy.
“It feels very safe to have Scania next door. With all the new technology installed comes a lot of new questions, but we can solve them quickly having the competence in the house,” says operational manager Yvonne Thelenius. ”Our drivers are happy with this vehicle mix, the modern driving stations and the close cooperation with the Scania people.”
Winning concept
Bergkvarabuss operates the public city and regional bus traffic, as they also do in thirty other towns and regions in the southern part of Sweden. The interest from colleagues and other stakeholders is high and many came to study the new set-up in Strängnäs. Thelenius believes this winning concept, with a combination of electric and non-fossil fuel buses, will be more common as new public tenders are announced in the years to come.
Engaging teamwork
Bergkvarabuss staff is constantly co-developing the concept by documenting and reporting issues and questions, which is highly appreciated by Scania and other partners involved.
“In this transformative development we are adding know-how and experience in cooperation with Scania and other stakeholders. Our staff is very engaged in this and we have operational pulse meetings every morning with updates and inputs,” says Thelenius.
Local power sourcing
The charging system solution is delivered by Scania, with components from Wennstrom Fuel Systems and Kempower. Scania is coordinating and supplies system support for operational and energy optimisation, using Scania Fleet Management and Kempower ChargEye depomaster. The biogas is produced within the county limits, only 75 km from the depot, so all vehicle energy is sourced from a close range.
Public responsibility
Sörmlandstrafiken is the public company responsible for providing public transport for all citizens in the county of Sörmland. Business Manager, Joakim Karlén, is very pleased with this yet un-common partnership, ensuring safe and sustainable bus traffic in the area for the coming decade.
“The close collaboration between the operator and Scania gives access to safe and high-quality bus journeys for all passengers. As a public authority it feels reassuring that we can offer a modern and competitive alternative to other means of transport.”
For passenger comfort and safety, Scania Citywide buses are equipped with free Wi-Fi, USB charging, baby guards, surveillance cameras and defibrillators.
“Reactions from Strängnäs have been positive,” says Karlén, “mainly connected to the electric buses in the city, with zero emissions, reduced noise levels and improved comfort.”
Electric future
In the future Bergkvarabuss wants to increase the number of BEV buses with longer range for more regional routes. The electric buses are popular both among the drivers and the town habitants.
“Before the transformation, most drivers were reluctant towards driving the routes downtown, but the silent electric buses have changed their preferences and driving behaviour,” Thelenius says with a smile. ”And we received a letter from a lady downtown thanking for the silent buses, because now she can sleep longer in the mornings.”
Facts and figures:
Vehicles delivered 34 Scania Citywide LE: six BEV buses and twenty-eight buses fuelled with compressed biogas (CBG).
Three gas buses measure 14.8 meters and the rest 13.3 meters, all with Low-Entry. The Low-Floor BEV buses are 12.2 meters and have a battery capacity of 330 kWh and are charged in the depot with up to 150 kW, which gives a range of 200–250 km.
