Innovative Move: Wrightbus Delivers First Hydrogen Buses to Regionalverkehr Köln, Plans Expansion in Europe
Key Ideas
- Regionalverkehr Köln has received 31 FCEV buses from Wrightbus, the first of its kind in Europe, for testing and deployment in the Cologne region.
- Wrightbus has opened its European service center in Brühl to service vehicles for various other European orders, including plans to introduce H2 buses in France and the Benelux countries.
- CEO Jean-Marc Gales highlights the technical complexity of the delivery to RVK and the significance of the new service center in Brühl for maintaining buses across Europe, leading to hiring initiatives.
- Wrightbus is actively recruiting staff continent-wide to facilitate the operation of more buses and expand their presence in the European market.
Regionalverkehr Köln, a German transport company, recently received a shipment of 31 hydrogen fuel cell electric buses from Wrightbus, a Northern Irish manufacturer. These buses, touted as the first of their kind on European soil by Wrightbus, are currently undergoing testing before being put into operation in the Cologne region. In a strategic move, Wrightbus has established its European service center in Brühl, located at the core of the RVK region, to cater to the servicing needs of multiple clients, including orders from Saarbahn, Vestische, Cottbusverkehr, and West Verkehr. The service center is also poised to support the introduction of H2 buses in France and the Benelux countries, marking a significant step in promoting hydrogen-powered transportation across Europe. Jean-Marc Gales, the CEO of Wrightbus, expressed pride in the successful delivery of the RVK buses, labeling it as a highly technical operation. Furthermore, Gales emphasized the importance of the new service center in Brühl, highlighting its role in maintaining various bus models and the company's recruitment drive to expand bus operations in Europe.