[Sound] Bus VDL Citea LLE 120 | #7662 | Rheinbahn AG Düsseldorf

Bus type: VDL Citea LLE 120 Bus No.: 7662 Year built: 2013 Operator: Rheinbahn AG Dusseldorf Number of: 151 Type in use since: 2013 Recorded on the line: SB52 From: Dusseldorf, Pluschowstr. ... to: Meerbusch, Wienenweg The bus runs on highway 44 (Autobahn). This bus was destroyed in a fire at the Heerdt depot in April 2021. After testing two lightweight buses from the Dutch manufacturer VDL (Ambassador 200) in 2010, the Rheinbahn was very pleased with the results (fuel-saving effect and reliability) and in 2013 a total of 60 lightweight buses type Citea LLE 120 were put into service. These are vehicles with low entry, the rear part is reached by stage (Low Entry), which simplifies the maintenance in the workshops. Because of their special construction, these vehicles weigh (stainless steel frame, fiberglass, plastic components, smaller wheels) only 8.9 tons and are thus almost 3 tonnes lighter than a conventional solo bus. These characteristics save about 20 percent of fuel, which does not achieve even the hybrid buses, whose acquisition costs are much higher. The streets are relieved by the low weight. The Citea LLE 120 costs about 220,000 euros, a similar amount of money as a conventional solo bus. The buses are equipped with air conditioning, a Cummins engine (ISB 6.7E5 with SCR technology) and a 4-speed gearbox from Voith (Diwa5 854.5E SensoTop), moreover, the buses fulfill the EEV standard. In 2017 another 80 buses of type VDL Citea LLE 120 were ordered (7801-7880). The first 42 buses entered service in summer 2017. In autumn 2018 another 11 Citea LLE 120 buses were ordered. On the night of April 1, 2021, the garage at the Heerdt depot was completely destroyed by fire, 38 buses burned down, including bus No. 7662.