Busworld Europa Awards 2019 |

Keeping traditions alive, the ‘Busworld Awards’ were held on the sidelines of Busworld Europa 2019.

Story by : Ashish Bhatia

No less than twenty vehicles were subjected to tests under several categories right below the Atomium. An international jury judged each vehicle. As a result 10 awards were given out in the coach and bus category. The coveted ‘Grand Award Bus’ went to the hydrogen-powered Van Hool Exqui.City 18. The tram bus was awarded the ‘Ecology Bus label’ for its greater autonomy in comparison with electric vehicles. The VDL Futura FHD2-135 and the Van Hool EX11H were ranked second and third in the same category. The ‘Comfort Bus label’ was awarded to the Mercedes-Benz eCITARO. The Yutong U12 was awarded the ‘Bus Design label’. The MAN Lion’s City 12G Hybrid was awarded the ‘Safety Bus label’. The ‘Grand Award Coach’ was awarded to the Volvo 9900. The ‘Comfort Coach’ Award was presented to the double-decker Setra S531 DT and Van Hool EX11. The ‘Design Coach’ Award was won by Yutong T13. The ‘Ecology Coach Award’ was won by the Yutong ICe12.

Stating that they gained some valuable insights and could understand some valuable general trends for the bus and coach industry, the jury members of the awards mentioned that OEMs like Yutong have made significant progress in general. It is noteworthy that they are meeting European standards on many fronts. Another jury member said that, the tour guide audiovisual systems on the buses have improved significantly. A jury member referred to the availability and user-friendliness of connections including multimedia, wifi, laptop connection and mobile devices with screens and sound. He opined further, that cameras are replacing mirrors in buses and were concluded to be beneficial for the sake of manoeuvring and safety inclusions. The vehicles with alternative powertrain (electric, gas, fuel cell) were found to be of very similar quality and standard when compared to one and other.