CFL Hybrid Bus: On the road to 100% electro mobility
As the backbone of the Grand Duchy’s public transport network and provider of a form of sustainable mobility for all, both Luxembourg employees and commuters from neighbouring countries, the CFL Group is committed to the responsible use of limited natural resources, with the aim of minimising its ecological footprint.
At the same time, since the creation of the first CFL bus service in 1951, buses have been an integral part of the Group’s passenger transport activities. In 2019, no fewer than 4.2 million customers used CFL bus services.
In 2018, CFL’s Bus Passenger Activity Service took a first major step towards 100% electromobility, with the purchase of four hybrid buses and two electric buses.
While the two electric CFL buses have been on the country’s roads since December 2019, the fleet of hybrid buses, put into service in March 2019, was reinforced by a fifth bus of the same type in February 2020.
Four 18-meter hybrid buses are equipped with an 8.9 kWh battery, which increases fuel efficiency between 15 and 20%. The 5th and newest hybrid bus has a more powerful battery. The power supply makes the ignition of the busses possible, this is especially beneficial during traffic. The diesel engine takes over when the bus reaches a certain speed. Each of the 240 CFL bus drivers will be trained in handling the hybrid bus. Ergonomic and uncluttered, the CFL hybrid bus driver’s area, provides the driver an extremely pleasant driving conditions.
Decorated in sober colors and equipped with imitation parquet flooring, each of the CFL hybrid buses is equipped with 8 CCTV cameras, one of which is located at the rear of the vehicle.
The five hybrid CFL buses are suitable for persons with reduced mobility (PRM).
A wheelchair ramp, as well as Braille- signal buttons, are available in the hybrid bus. In accordance with the law, there are also four seats available for persons with reduced mobility (PRM).
Both the wheelchair-bound passengers and those traveling with a stroller have reserved seating areas. Each CFL hybrid bus has a wheelchair area and two stroller areas.
The five CFL hybrid buses each have 12 USB ports that passengers can use as they wish during their journey.
It should be noted that the stops on a line are displayed on two screens in the bus. Stops that can be indicated by means of an automated acoustic announcement system. These hybrid buses are currently in service on several lines, including line 120 (Luxembourg – Junglinster), line 192 (Kirchberg -Hassel), line 500 (Luxembourg – Echternach) or line 304 (Bettembourg – Remich).
The CFL hybrid buses are programmable to comply with zero-emission zones. This is a major step forward, which will allow people to cross cities without emitting pollution or noise pollution.