The first electric bus in circulation in Saint-Denis!
This page is translated from the original post "Le premier bus électrique en circulation à Saint-Denis !" in French.
- 29/10/2024 15:06
The public transport network of the Île de la Réunion inaugurated its very first electric bus last week
It was in Sainte-Clotilde, not far from the island’s capital, Saint-Denis, that Citalis presented its brand new electric bus. The E-Citaro was unveiled at the network’s headquarters in the presence of elected officials and representatives from Cinor (Intercommunal Community of Northern Réunion).
The bus is a Mercedes model valued at €350,000. It measures 12 meters long and can accommodate up to 90 passengers. A full charge gives it a range of 250 km, and that is not its only technological asset. Inside the vehicle, passengers can find information screens as well as a Wi-Fi connection. The vehicle also features a ramp for disabled access.
Finally, for the driver, the bus is equipped with a second-generation emergency braking assistance system, a front and rear collision avoidance assistant, and safety devices for lane and direction changes. A little technological gem that should delight the population.
A bet on the future
Ericka Bareigts, mayor of Saint-Denis, can be pleased. A member of the Socialist Party, she advocates for ecology and a more environmentally respectful human society. The electric bus is a step in the right direction. Its carbon impact once in circulation will be nonexistent, and it is also very quiet, avoiding any noise pollution.
Citalis, for its part, does not plan to stop there. According to Gérard Françoise, president of SODIPARC, which manages the Citalis network, the E-Citaro is just the beginning: “Together, we are taking a decisive turn in supporting ecological transition and the public transport of tomorrow.”
While the date of its entry into service has not been specified, we can expect it to happen soon. Before seeing more and more buses of this kind on the island, as local elected officials have shown their desire to see other electric or hybrid vehicles in circulation. The goal is also to convince residents that electric is indeed the future of transport, whether public or private.
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