Local services
Local transportation company DKV fleet replacement programme, which will run until the end of 2024, has reached its penultimate stage. There are now 109 new buses in service in Debrecen.
In Debrecen, 109 new buses are already in service. The company took delivery of another 10 Mercedes-Benz Conecto G articulated buses from Inter Tan-Ker PLC at a special location at Debrecen International Airport. Together with these vehicles, a total of 30 low-floor, modern and comfortable articulated buses have been put into service this year.
The modernisation of the fleet started in January 2022, and since then DKV has replaced a total of 99 vehicles and added 12 electric buses to the fleet. Following the replacement of the solo buses, the articulated fleet will be completely renewed this year with putting 20 new Mercedes-Benz Conecto G buses into service in the first half of the year, and now another 10 have been added to the fleet.
On handing over the ten new buses, László Papp said that another very important milestone had been reached in the renewal of the city’s public transport system. He added that in this municipal term they had made a commitment to renew Debrecen’s bus transport and by the end of 2024 they would be able to meet this commitment.
The mayor also spoke about the rebuilding of capacity after the crises in order to “enable the city’s travelling public to use public transport as efficiently as possible”. One element of this is the consolidation of bus line 19 bus, which runs along one of the busiest routes in the city, on the spine connecting the east and west parts of the city, and line 36A in Józsa. “It was an important step forward that since the 1st of April, children aged between 6 and 14 who go to kindergarten or school in Debrecen can travel free of charge on DKV’s buses with the Junior City Card,” he said, adding that DKV closed with 77 million passengers in 2023, and nearly 22.5 million passengers were registered in the first quarter of 2024. According to the mayor, this year’s number of passengers could exceed 80 million. He pointed out that in the next few years, major improvements would be made to the city’s public transport system.
“Two large solar parks and solar power plants are being planned. Our aim is to make urban public transport much more efficient and sustainable, and in time, as the city’s budget, room for manoeuvre, and the development of the economy make this possible, to replace diesel vehicles with electric vehicles as much as possible. Solar parks should also contribute to the production of fuel and electricity, thus reducing operating costs and increasing efficiency. This will also be a major step forward in making the city more sustainable and environmentally friendly,” he said.
According to Szabolcs Tóth, CEO of DKV Zrt., although DKV Zrt. will be 140 years old this year, it can serve the city with a renewed fleet.
“The new EURO6 diesel-powered, four-door, 18-metre buses are air-conditioned, equipped with free WiFi and an interior/exterior acoustic passenger information system. They have a spacious interior, 114 standing seats, 39 seats and 1 disabled seat. One of these vehicles can carry 154 passengers at a time, which can replace more than 90 cars,” he said and added that once the new vehicles were in service, Volvo articulated buses would be phased out of public transport, further reducing emissions in the city.
Regarding the choice of location, Tóth said that DKV and Debrecen International Airport had launched a joint campaign to encourage people travelling to the airport to switch from car to public transport, and tourists arriving in the city to make easy use of the transport service. The CEO pointed out that DKV had also expanded its range of electronic ticketing services. On the National Mobile Payments Ltd. (Nemzeti Mobilfizetési Zrt.) passengers can now buy not only mobile tickets and 1-hour mobile tickets, but also 1-, 3- and 7-day tickets.
“This convenience service will also facilitate transport for visitors and tourists arriving in Debrecen. At the entrance of the terminal and at the baggage check-in area, the company has placed QR codes in English and Hungarian, which navigate to the National Mobile Payments Ltd. From here, it is only a step to make it quick and convenient for foreigners to buy electronic vouchers,” Tóth added.
At the event, it was said that Debrecen International Airport had installed a covered bus stop for comfortable waiting, and signs painted on the asphalt to help passengers find the bus stop as easily as possible.
“Airport 1 and 2 buses have been integrated into the city’s circulation, but the introduction of the 14 and 14Y buses, which connect Tégláskert and Epreskert with the western and northern districts of the city without transfers, was also a major improvement at the request of residents,” Municipal representative for the district Zoltán Piros said.
Source: debrecen.hu
