Zurich launches €300M tender for 200 electric and trolleybuses after supplier failures
Zurich’s public transport operator, VBZ, is opening a major tender for up to 100 electric buses and 100 trolleybuses. The move follows ongoing dissatisfaction with current suppliers, including Swiss manufacturer Hess and German firm MAN City. Issues with reliability and delays have pushed the city to seek new bids worth nearly 300 million Swiss francs.
VBZ has been a long-standing customer of Hess, buying over 110 vehicles in the past two decades. However, recent problems with heating, ventilation, drivetrain, and door systems in both Hess’s trolleybuses and MAN City’s buses have caused frustration. Hess admits to the shortcomings and attributes some delays to the closure of its plant in Minsk, Belarus. The company is now working to improve performance but still plans to bid again for the new contract.
The tender comes as Zurich debates the role of ‘Swissness’ in public procurement. While Swiss origin has traditionally been favoured, VBZ’s decisions now prioritise functionality and cost over nationality. The contract is open to international competitors, including Mercedes-Benz—currently the third-largest supplier to VBZ—as well as Volvo, Solaris, and potentially Chinese manufacturers. The financial scale of the project is substantial. Electric buses alone could cost up to 140 million francs, with trolleybuses adding an estimated 160 million francs. VBZ has described itself as an ‘extremely demanding customer’ but remains committed to securing reliable, high-quality vehicles for the city’s transport network.
The tender marks a shift in Zurich’s approach to public transport procurement. With a budget nearing 300 million francs, the city aims to address past reliability issues while expanding its fleet. The final decision will determine which manufacturers supply the next generation of electric and trolleybuses for VBZ.
