Manufacturer Mercedes-Benz Class Complete bus Floor type Low floor
Low entry | Production 1997–present Doors 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 | |
 | ||
Engine Mercedes-Benz OM457LA
OM457hLA
OM906hLA
OM926LA
M447hLAG
OM936
OM936h
OM470 | ||
The Mercedes-Benz Citaro (or O530(G)) is a single-decker bus / articulated bus manufactured by Mercedes-Benz/EvoBus. It was introduced in 1997 and replaced the Mercedes-Benz O405/O405N series. Manufactured in Mannheim (Germany), Ligny-en-Barrois (France) and Sámano (Spain), it is available as a rigid bus with two or three axles and as an articulated bus with three or four axles. Over 40,000 have been manufactured.
Contents
Urban model
The standard urban model is available in a number of versions:
Suburban/interurban model
A series of suburban/interurban versions is also produced, with all seats fitted on platforms:
Specifications
Operators are able to choose between two different front stylings: the standard design features an angled destination display, like a roof dome, and is primarily marketed for urban buses, while a version with a one-piece windscreen covering the destination display also is available and is primarily intended for interurban use. However, all models are available with either version.
Other customizations include the number and type of doors as well as the internal layout. Two types of seats are offered as part of the standard range, again with a basic model for urban use and an enhanced version for longer-distance routes, although both also are available on all models.
Aside from the usual diesel engines, the Citaro is also available with a powerful Euro IV natural gas engine (model M 447 hLAG) rated at 185 kW (252 PS) or 240 kW (326 PS) - the latter rating used mainly for interurban and articulated buses or standard-length city buses operating in areas with a hilly topography. These engines are also optionally available with Enhanced Environmentally friendly Vehicle (EEV) certification, meaning that their emission levels are lower than even the most stringent European Union emissions standards.
In 2005, EvoBus launched an updated version of the Citaro to coincide with the introduction of Euro IV-(and later Euro V- and EEV-)compliant engines. Apart from minor technical alternations, mainly to accommodate the new generation of engines, the external design received a facelift to give the buses a less angular look, with internal panelling altered accordingly. Production of the old model ceased by autumn 2006. The Citaro LE and Citaro LE Ü models, which were introduced at the same time, were never produced to the old design.
In May 2011, the second generation Citaro, internally known as the C2, was launched. From 2012 the C2 could also be equipped with Euro VI engines. The C2 versions of the Citaro LE models were the last to be presented, at Busworld Kortrijk in October 2013.
Non-standard bodies
As a one-off, German operators üstra of Hanover and LVB of Leipzig took delivery of a batch of Citaros bodied to a special design by James Irvine for Expo 2000. Leipzig's vehicles were lent to Hanover for the duration of the exhibition, but subsequently returned to normal service in their home city. All other Citaros bodied by Mercedes-Benz were to standard designs, however a number of chassis were bodied by independent manufacturers, most notably Hess of Switzerland. However, the Citaro has more recently only been sold as a complete product.
In 2007 the workshops of the Szeged (Hungary) bus operator SZKT converted a regular Citaro to a trolleybus. As of April 2010, five such buses are already serving as a trolley and more examples are in preparation in the near future.
In 2009, the Centre of Ambulance Services in Dubai took delivery of three Citaros, which had been modified to become the world's largest ambulances.
In 2010, the French city Rennes ordered a longer version of the Citaro, the Citaro M, which is 13 meters long with an urban arrangement. 15 vehicles were built over the chassis of the Setra S416NF.
Hydrogen fuel cell version
Even though the usual Citaro models are powered by diesel or natural gas, there is also a hydrogen fuel cell-powered version, designated Citaro BZ or O530BZ. About 35 of these buses have been in service in a variety of different world cities in order to test the feasibility of hydrogen fuel cells in different operating circumstances and different conditions, especially weather conditions.
Hybrid electric version
The Mercedes-Benz Citaro G BlueTec Hybrid is a series-hybrid articulated bus with a compact 450 kg, 4-cylinder, 4.8-litre, 160 kW, Euro 4 OM-924LA diesel engine providing power for a roof-mounted 19.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, and four 80 kW electric wheel hub motors located on the centre and rear axles. (Contrast a conventional bus diesel engine: 6-cylinder, 12-litre, 1,000 kg.) The battery pack is also charged by regenerative braking (recuperation). The manufacturer anticipates fuel consumption 20% lower than conventional diesel Citaros.
United Kingdom
Arriva, FirstGroup, Go-Ahead Group, Stagecoach Group and Yourbus have all operated Citaros. Articulated Citaros were operated by Transport for London operators East London, First London, London Central, London General, London United, Quality Line and Selkent.
In 2003 and 2004, four buses caught fire, although there were no casualties involved. One was burnt on its delivery journey. Mercedes-Benz did address the problem, though the buses were withdrawn for some time that saw the brief return of the just-retired AEC Routemasters. Unfortunately, these buses were said to have marred the reputation of articulated buses in the United Kingdom, and some Londoners nicknamed them Chariots of Fire.
The last articulated buses in London were withdrawn in December 2011. Some rigid 12 metre examples remain in service with Go-Ahead London on routes 108 and 358. There also some in use with other operators on suburban routes including London United on route 203, Stagecoach Selkent on route 227, and Epsom Buses on route X26. Epsom Buses will use Citaro K buses when they take over route 413 from Go-Ahead London on December 4, 2016.
Hungary
In Hungary, VT Transman purchased 159 to operate services in Budapest for BKV Zrt.
The Netherlands
In 2009, Qbuzz ordered 350 while Connexxion ordered 75.
Romania
Between 2005 and 2009 Regia Autonomă de Transport București purchased 1,000 Citaros.
Middle East
By 2009, 180 Citaros had been delivered to the city of Al Ain.
Latin America
In Latin America, Citaros are not present in large quantities in public transport systems. Only Mexico has 14 Spanish-built Citaros for the BRT Internal System of UNAM.
Singapore
SBS Transit and SMRT Buses have purchased 351 Euro V Citaros in 2010, then jumped to 474 in 2012 and a further 250 in 2014. By 2017, Singapore would have more than 1,400 units in operation, under SBS Transit, SMRT Buses, Tower Transit Singapore and Go-Ahead Singapore.
Australia
In Australia, between September 2004 and September 2007, Transperth operated three hydrogen powered Citaros. In 2016, Brisbane Transport commenced operating a Citaro demonstrator.