May 18, 2022 - New Promet Split electric buses are in the plans, e-ticketing should finally kick off on July 1, but will bus transport become more expensive in Split?

As part of the European tour MAN #ElectrifyingEurope, the battery-electric city bus MAN Lion's City 12E arrived in Croatia, reports Dalmacija Danas. 

A short presentation was held at the Amphora Hotel in Žnjan as this bus could soon transport the people of Split. Namely, Split-based Promet will apply for tenders for EU funds, and the studies have been conducted for more than a year. Negotiations are also underway with HEP so that there are no problems with charging.

"For the last year, we have been working on a study to be ready when opening public calls for buses. This is the latest technology, and of course, we will go in that direction. We have renewed part of the fleet with the latest generation diesel buses; we will have a presentation of the e-ticketing system in about 15 days," said Miroslav Delić, director of Promet Split.

This bus can travel 300 km on a single charge, and it takes 3 to 3 and a half hours to charge the batteries. It costs 550,000 euros. The capacity is 35 seats, while the total number of seats (sitting and standing) is slightly more than 80. Under each seat, there are USB sockets.

"Six months ago, we started negotiations with HEP to strengthen the substation within our complex and substations at locations in the city where we plan to introduce lines so that buses can be charged at these turning points," Delić said.

This is a low-floor city bus, 12 meters long, with a capacity of 88 passengers. Specifically, this bus is fully electric, powered by batteries located on the bus's roof and a central electric motor located on the rear axle of the bus. Battery capacity is 480-kilowatt hours, which means that it would have a range of 250 to 300 km in some actual driving conditions. Furthermore, it is fully equipped with all units as in the classic diesel bus, from heating, cooling, and air conditioning. In addition, most of the parts are from the diesel bus so that in the event of maintenance, these costs would be lower," explained Zvonko Gabud, sales director of Man Hrvatska.

Seven hundred of these buses have been sold across Europe, and they could soon be seen on Croatian roads. You can see more photos of them at Dalmacija Danas.

E-ticketing will be used from July 1, too, and with the rising fuel prices, Promet Split ticket prices could also change, adds Dalmacija Danas.

Namely, the fuel cost for Promet Split jumped by 15 million kuna annually.

"The question is whether we can change the prices because we do not have a representative of the majority owner, so now the question we ask the commissioners - is it possible for the Assembly to make that decision?," said Delić.

It is possible that there will be no price increase but under one condition.

"At the annual level, the cost of fuel is higher by 15 million kuna, so the cost of fuel is no more than 30 million kuna, but 45 million kuna at the annual level.

The price could rise by 20 percent, but the question is how much cities and municipalities are willing to co-finance with their budget funds. The price of the ticket depends on it. The ticket does not have to become more expensive if cities and municipalities co-finance public transport," Delić concluded.

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