Good news for Irizar from the gents of Aix

The south-eastern French city of Aix-en- Provence is the latest customer announced for Irizar’s ie Tram electric rapid transit bus.

Its RDT13 transport department has ordered 15 of the 12m rigid version, which will operate a 7.2km (4.5mile) north-south route connecting outer park-&-ride sites with the city centre. They will use opportunity charging with an overhead pantograph and will serve 19 stops every 5min.

The three-door buses will have 22 seats and overall capacity for 90 passengers and will be equipped with WiFi and USB charging points.

■ Sweden’s Nobina has ordered 24 battery electric 12m BYD eBuses for the south-eastern coastal province of Södermanland while in the Netherlands, Rotterdam public transport undertaking RET expects 55 opportunitycharged 12m VDL Citea SLF-120 electrics. Both orders will be delivered in 2019.