Bremen: BSAG is going all out on electrifying buses
According to a newspaper report, the Bremer Straßenbahn AG (BSAG) is renovating two more depots, building a completely new one, and plans to acquire 139 electric buses in the long term. The goal is for BSAG to convert its entire bus fleet to climate-neutral propulsion systems by 2037.
Bremer Straßenbahn AG currently operates around 70 electric buses in its fleet, accounting for about a quarter of its total vehicle stock. Last year alone, the company put 50 buses and a converted depot in the Blumenthal district into service. Plans for further electrification are also underway: According to a feasibility study cited by the local newspaper, another 57 electric buses are planned for 2032, 39 more in 2035, and 43 in 2037 — bringing the total to the 139 units mentioned earlier. These vehicles are set to be stationed at three depots that will be built or converted for this purpose.
The BSAG plans to invest around 390 million euros in bus depots and the acquisition of electric buses. Approximately 50 million euros will be spent on building a new depot in the industrial port, around 180 million euros on purchasing the electric buses, and about 160 million euros on upgrading depots in Neustadt and Vahr. Additionally, there are expected planning costs of around 28 million euros.
The district newspaper further specifies that the new depot at the industrial port is expected to be completed by 2029 and designed to support a mixed fleet of 60 electric buses and 40 diesel buses. To meet the electricity needs, fast-charging stations with a capacity of 300 kW are planned among other facilities. The initial creation of space for diesel buses is related to the fact that during the renovation of other depots, the diesel vehicles originally stationed there will need to be housed at the industrial port. According to the officials, in its final configuration, the depot will “be entirely focused on electric buses and accommodate around 110 buses.”
The renovation of the Neustadt depot is scheduled for the period from 2028 to 2032. The Neue Vahr is expected to be fully renovated by 2035. The charging infrastructure currently installed there for around 20 electric buses is considered temporary and is set to be replaced with comprehensive charging facilities. The Neustadt depot will also receive a new workshop.
With this plan, BSAG is well prepared to convert its entire bus fleet to climate-neutral propulsion systems by 2037. The feasibility study, which serves as the basis for this planning, was prepared by the Aachen-based firm “ebusplan.” Incidentally, the city of Bremen has been working on electrifying its public transportation for a long time: The interim goal set by BSAG in 2019 to achieve around 50 percent emission-free operation within the city area by 2025 has already been reached, according to the company’s management, as reported in the local newspaper. This goal involved approximately 55 electric buses in addition to trams. As mentioned earlier, the number has now risen to 70 electric buses.