• Handover to Omnibus Weidachstein GmbH & Co. KG in Neu-Ulm
• The five new eCitaro buses mark the Bavarian family-owned company’s first step towards converting its fleet to locally CO₂-free e-mobility
• Omniplus: digital services and an eService contract ensure availability

Leinfelden-Echterdingen / Neu-Ulm – On 16 December 2025, Omnibus Weidachstein GmbH & Co. KG took delivery of five new Mercedes-Benz eCitaro buses at the Daimler Buses plant in Neu-Ulm. Marijo Sapina, Head of Sales for Private Customers at Daimler Buses, handed over the new vehicles to Dr. Sandra Bayerle-Schnarrenberger, owner of Omnibus Weidachstein GmbH & Co. KG, and her son Kilian Benedikt Bayerle, in the presence of Eva Treu, District Administrator of Neu-Ulm. The handover took place during a celebratory event, which also honoured several drivers of the family business for 25 years of service.

The eCitaro buses will enter service on scheduled routes in the Neu-Ulm district, replacing five existing vehicles from the fleet of the Bavarian bus company, which has been family-owned for more than seven decades. “For us as a relatively small family business, the switch to battery-electric buses is of immense importance: we firmly believe that locally CO₂-free e-mobility is the future – both for public transport in the Neu-Ulm district and for safeguarding the existence of our company,” explains Dr. Sandra Bayerle-Schnarrenberger. “Thanks to the funding we have received from the federal government and the Free State of Bavaria, today’s handover feels like an early Christmas present – one that brings me great relief, joy and hope.”

Marijo Sapina adds: “For Daimler Buses, it is very important that we support not only large public transport operators but also smaller regional private companies with our proven eBuses, eMobility concepts and Omniplus service offerings tailored specifically to electric buses. We wish Omnibus Weidachstein GmbH & Co. KG every success on our shared electric journey towards a sustainably successful future!”

High standards of safety, range and passenger comfort

In addition to the locally CO₂-free electric drive, Omnibus Weidachstein GmbH & Co. KG places particular emphasis on safety and equipment for the five new eCitaro buses, which offer a maximum capacity of 90 passengers.

Safety features include Frontguard Assist, which warns of obstacles or people directly in front of the vehicle, Sideguard Assist 2, a turning assistant monitoring both sides of the bus, and Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS). Each bus is equipped with a centrally mounted reversing camera with integrated cleaning system, all-round LED lighting, a large driver protection door and the Preventive Brake Assist 2 active emergency braking system, specially developed for city buses, with enhanced pedestrian and cyclist detection.

Additional features include Traffic Sign Assist, TPM tyre pressure monitoring, roll and pitch control, and Attention Assist to monitor driver alertness.

Inside, the EvoThermatik high comfort roof-mounted air conditioning system with heat pump and Thermatronic energy-saving function ensures pleasant temperatures, while active filters with antiviral function provide protection against infections. Passengers benefit from 36 seats upholstered in green fabric in the Mercedes-Benz Inter Star Eco configuration, complemented by handrails in an attractive yellow‑green shade. A manually operated folding ramp at the rear door, a special-use area with wheelchair support and integrated mother-and-child seats, and a TFT monitor with an 18.5-inch (47 cm) screen for infotainment complete the interior equipment.

Omniplus: digital services and eService contract ensure availability

Like all Daimler Buses vehicles, the new eCitaro buses of Omnibus Weidachstein GmbH & Co. KG come as standard with the Bus Data Center interface for Omniplus On connectivity services. In addition, the company has signed an Omniplus eService Contract ePremium with Daimler Buses, ensuring long-term planning and maximum availability. The contract covers all maintenance and repairs of the eCitaro buses, including wear-and-tear repairs and work on the high-voltage system. Also included is the Omniplus 24-hour service across Europe.