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Iconic London taxi to be used by German on-demand ride-hailing service Bussi
LEVC (London Electric Vehicle Company) has secured a deal with Essen Ruhrbahn, the public transport operator in Essen, Germany. Five TX Shuttle models will be used for its on-demand ride hailing service, Bussi, to meet the growing requirement for electric-powered passenger transport in the city centre.
The fleet of TX Shuttles, adorned with the yellow metallic Bussi livery, are now in place for an initial trial period in the city. From March, it is planned that customers will be able to use the on-demand Bussi app to order the LEVC vehicles in selected areas around Essen.
Joerg Hofmann, LEVC CEO, said: “We are confident that our TX fleet will make a positive impact in Essen, a city that is keen to increase its green transport operations. LEVC’s unique eCity technology offers a flexible driving range, making the TX Shuttle the natural choice for public transport operators looking for an electric vehicle that can be relied upon for use all day long. TX’s purpose-built protective interior environment also offers a high quality and safe passenger experience, which is essential during these Covid times.”
Michael Feller, Managing Director of Essen Ruhrbahn, said: “We are delighted to engage in this transition to clean, electric public transport. Bussi is now a serious option for customers on the move, who can order the taxi through their smartphone. This pilot project is important for us because we can meet the mobility needs of our customers even better with a flexible service, and we are building a purely digital operation for the first time.”
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, special protective measures apply to the Bussi taxi vehicles. A mouth and nose cover must be worn at all times while using Bussi cabs. There is a protective screen between the driver and passengers, while initially only three of the six seats can be booked per vehicle. In addition to normal cleaning, the vehicles are disinfected daily.
The Essen fleet order for Essen Ruhrbahn was fulfilled by Autohaus Markötter in Bielefeld, one of 11 LEVC dealer partners in Germany. LEVC offers sales and servicing sites throughout Continental Europe, with 16 dealer partners now in place and further network expansion planned this year. LEVC’s global representation will cover 21 markets by the end of 2021.
TX Shuttle shares the same DNA as the electric TX taxi and is powered by the same eCity technology, a zero emissions capable taxi with a flexible range of more than 316 miles (510 km) and a pure EV range of 63 miles (101 km).
All TX Shuttles are purpose-built to keep all occupants safe and protected. Standard features include six passenger seats, wheelchair accessibility, a secure partition screen that separates the driver and passenger compartment, contactless payment in the rear, easy to clean surfaces and an intercom system that allows driver and passenger to always communicate clearly.
