Van Hool ‘tram-bus’ at UITP Congress

Van Hool is to present a concept model of the Exqui.City, the so-called ‘tram-bus’, at the UITP Congress in Milan, Italy (8 to 10 June 2015 at the MiCo – Milano Congressi). The vehicle is designed as a solution to the ever increasing demands of passengers and public transport companies for ‘comfortable, punctual, flexible, environmentally friendly and cost effective public transport’. Its design sees the standard Exqui.City’s window panes stretched upwards and downwards. The window surface of the vehicle has been extended by approximately 30% and stretches from the ceiling almost to the floor line. The intended result of this is that more light enhances the sense of space in the vehicle.

The use of wheel-hub engines optimises the available surface of the lowered floor, offering a 100% level floor along the full length of the vehicle and a larger standee capacity. This also makes it possible to provide additional space for wheelchair passengers/baby strollers at the second access door. The interior and the seats have also been revisited, with the addition of a large flip down cross bench. Seats and benches are covered with new, more durable materials.

It has a central skylight window and electronic passenger information screens are affixed above the doors. Using the RGB LED interior lighting (which reproduces a broad array of colours) the driver can control the atmosphere with ‘ambient colour temperatures’ in the vehicle. Wi-Fi is built into the vehicle and several USB ports are available. The most noticeable change to the driver’s position is to the dashboard, where the vehicle’s operation is fully centralised on a 22inch touchscreen. The only button still on the dashboard is the legally required emergency brake button.

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