More eco-buses for Vilnius

VILNIUS - In late January, 19 more new ecological buses will be put into service in Vilnius, reports ELTA. This will be the second upgrade by the UAB Vilniaus Viesasis Transportas (Vilnius Public Transport) vehicle fleet.
Eighteen new buses were purchased in March 2013. In 2014 the fleet will be upgraded with a total of 41 new vehicles.
The tender to purchase new vehicles was announced in July 2012. Two companies participated in the tender and the agreement with the winner was signed on Feb. 7, 2013.

Each new Solaris Urbino 12 CNG bus, powered by compressed natural gas, can carry 85 passengers.
Six compressed natural gas tanks provide the range of 450 kilometers. Although buses run on natural gas and meet Euro 5 and EEV (Enhanced Environmentally Friendly Vehicle) standards, they can be easily transformed to run on biogas.
The new buses are expected to be in service for at least 15 years. Previously Vilnius’ bus fleet was upgraded in 2003-2006, when 14 Mercedes and 90 Volvo buses were bought.

During working days 339 buses and 186 trolleybuses transport passengers along a network of 99 routes in Vilnius.