MAN Showcases Sustainable solutions at 61st UITP World Congress in Milan

MAN demonstrated its commitment to sustainability at the 61st UITP (International Association of Public Transport) World Congress and Exhibition, which was held in Milan, Italy recently by showcasing products and services that embody the best in quality and efficiency.

MAN has been investing in the future for 100 years and with its diverse MAN Lion's City bus range, the company offers fuel-saving and environmentally-friendly mobility solutions for urban traffic, tailored to individual customer and market requirements. 

Customers can select their bus from a highly flexible product portfolio, including low-entry and low-floor designs, solo and articulated buses, lengths ranging from 10.50 to 18.75 metres, and two to five-door versions. MAN also offers a wide variety of drive types: With diesel, hybrid and natural gas drives, a wide range of engines and technologies are available which are continuously being improved. The Lion’s City GL CNG was crowned 'Bus of the Year 2015' for its particularly environmentally friendly and powerful, yet economical drive. 

In the Middle East, MAN has already conducted trials of a Lion’s City CNG Bus with the bus operating for eight months in the UAE in 2011 along with regular diesel powered buses to achieve a direct comparison. The trials proved that CNG technology was a sustainable alternative to diesel while complying with worldwide safety standards and emissions as low as EURO 6.

According to Franz von Redwitz, Managing Director of MAN Truck & Bus Middle East, “The growing interest in the UAE for environmentally friendly fuels like CNG definitely bodes well for developing a cleaner and greener environment in the country. The progressive and innovative planning by public transport authorities is also commendable. We look forward to a future where the UAE can benefit from a truly green bus system which improves air quality for the public and leads to reduction in operating costs for public transport authorities making it a truly win-win situation for both parties.”

Von Redwitz added, “MAN has the experience of a more than half a century in natural-gas-powered buses and our experience with public transport authorities across the globe has also conclusively proven the viability of CNG as an alternative fuel choice.”

MAN Lion's City GL: the specialist in large passenger volumes

The Lion's City GL bus offers a vehicle concept specifically designed for urban traffic and capable of carrying especially high passenger numbers. The 18.75-metre long articulated bus has five double-width doors. This door concept, unique on the market, guarantees optimal and rapid passenger flow and short stopping times, even in peak periods.

When the vehicle moves off after standing with forebody and afterbody at a fairly tight angle, the electric articulation control system prevents pushing over the central axle. The segmented side wall cladding means that damaged parts can be more easily replaced. Repair times and downtimes are thus significantly reduced. The interior impresses with its new driver seat, materials and textiles: a translucent concertina section, glass roof hatches and energy-efficient LED interior lighting (light-emitting diodes) combine to give the passenger area a bright and pleasant atmosphere.

Uniquely, the exterior of the bus will reflect highlights from MAN's anniversary celebrations to mark 100 years in the commercial vehicle sector. In line with the motto of the celebrations 'Driving the next century', the bus looks set to continue the success story of MAN well into the future.