Zurich problems

[TP]

Quite a sensational development in Switzerland where the Zurich operator VBZ has pulled the plug on its two suppliers of electric buses, Hess and MAN, and will call for tenders from other manufacturers rather than award further orders to these two manufacturers under existing options. The reason is because of persistent faults with both models - delivery delays and problems with the heating and ventilation systems, the powertrain, and the automatic raising and lowering of the pantographs with the Hess and issues with chassis components and door systems, alongside similar heating-related problems with the MAN. The manufacturers were given time to resolve the issues and failed to do so satisfactorily.

The Swiss company Hess has been manufacturing electric buses since the 1940s, whereas the German company MAN is a diesel bus manufacturer and a newcomer to electric buses. The relevance to Australia is that Hess recently supplied the double-articulated buses to Brisbane (the same 20 year-old model as the problematic buses in Zurich) and MAN has exhibited its new electric bus in Australia and announced an intention to supply it to the Australian market.

https://www.sustainable-bus.com/electric-bus/zurich-vbz-new-tender-electric-buses/

https://www.electrive.com/2026/01/12/disappointed-with-hess-and-man-zurich-transport-services-tender-for-100-e-buses/

Tony P

[Mal Rowe]

On 13/01/2026 02:34, 'TP' via TramsDownUnder wrote:
> The Swiss company Hess has been manufacturing electric buses since the
> 1940s, whereas the German company MAN is a diesel bus manufacturer and
> a newcomer to electric buses. The relevance to Australia is that Hess
> recently supplied the double-articulated buses to Brisbane (the same
> 20 year-old model as the problematic buses in Zurich) and MAN has
> exhibited its new electric bus in Australia and announced an intention
> to supply it to the Australian market.

Thanks Tony,

That is concerning.

The track record for Australian cities buying direct from Europe
(especially for trams) without local input into appropriate design and
modification is well illustrated over the last quarter of a century.

Mal Rowe in a city that learnt the hard way

[Bob Pearce]

Hi all,

The propensity for 'so-called' transport planners and acquirers of product
have been known, in the past, to have suppliers provide buses - and other
vehicles - that do not operate well in the Australian climate.
Air con units that work quite comfortably in Europe, for example, do not do
well in Australia, and it has been - often - an extremely costly exercise in
futility in finding that out.

Is it also possible that the average European is not as heavy as the average
Australian, as there have been examples of wheel-chair lifts that have failed
spectacularly when put to use in this land of ours, yet apparently, have done
the job for which they were designed in Europe quite happily.

I am sure that there are other examples, but those two spring to mind,
although I am loathe to mention the acquirer in either case.

Bob in Perth

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