IVECO BUS signed a framework agreement with Transport Operator of Wallonia OTW for the supply of 42 Crossway Low-Entry Hybrid buses. The deliveries will begin at the end of 2023 and will be spread over four years. The agreement covers two lots of 21 units of 12-metre Crossway Low-Entry Hybrid and 9 units of 14.5-metre Crossway Low-Entry Hybrid, with additional optional orders. Including options the order amounts up to 42 buses. This is the second contract signed with the Walloon operator this year.
The first contract with OTW (Operateur du Transport de Wallonie) consists of 13 Daily Access and 9 Daily Tourys minibuses. The newly ordered Crossway's will be operated on Express lines, some of which will be propose new Express links between Walloon cities. The Crossway LE Hybrid was presented for the first time at FIAA 2022 in Madrid in October 2022. It is equipped with a Voith DIWA NXT gearbox and is combined with a 35 kW peak electrical recovery motor, which acts as a starter and generator to recover the kinetic energy accumulated during the deceleration and braking phases,
with a high-energy LTO battery (48 V) mounted on the roof. The electric motor supports the Cursor 9 engine during the starting phases. The bus has a maximum capacity of 67 passengers, including 45 seated for the 12-metre version and 107 passengers including 61 seated for the 14.5-metre version. Air conditioning, high comfort seats with integrated USB sockets, luggage racks, individual lights and a driver's area combining ergonomics and safety complete the equipment.