Alstom offering fully electric bus tours in Italy

Aptis, the 100% electric bus from Alstom, is in Italy, after touring Spain, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. The tour started from Florence, in the splendid setting of the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella. It will tour six Italian cities up until May.

Aptis will be in passenger service in the Tuscan capital, free of charge, for 13 days and will be operated in collaboration with ATAF. It will cover seven different circuits, from the centre to the periphery.

Since the prototype was presented in March 2017, more than 40,000 kilometres have been covered in real operating conditions by four test vehicles in Europe.

These trials have made it possible to test the characteristics of Aptis in a new context, such as its capacity for autonomy, and its driving assistance system.

Aptis, a bus inspired by the world of the tram, provides a unique comfort experience for passengers. Low floors throughout the vehicle and wide double doors allow smooth passenger flows and easy access for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Panoramic windows at the front and rear of the bus provide 20% more window surfaces than a conventional bus, as well as a lounge area at the rear. Aptis won the Innovation award at the Busworld trade show in 2017.

“We are proud to start the Italian tour of Aptis from Florence, a city that is attentive to sustainable mobility. We hope that the inhabitants and tourists of Florence will have the opportunity to appreciate this innovative e-bus, which will circulate for free in the streets of the city,” said Michele Viale, Managing Director of Alstom in Italy.

Alstom has just received its very first order for 12 Aptis, each one 12 metres long and equipped with three doors, from the Strasbourg transport company CTS in France.