New transport solutions: Phileas

Modern infrastructure and new transport solutions increase the appeal of local transport systems. A recent innovation is the Phileas bus, a concept for high-quality public transport developed in the Brainport region of Eindhoven. This advanced articulated bus is just as good as a traditional tram or tube, but much more inexpensive to run: the infrastructure costs much less to build and maintain because there are no rails or pantographs.  

High-quality public transport

The 18 to 24-metre long Phileas has a parallel hybrid drivetrain, whereby only the rear axle is powered by a diesel-electro motor. The bus has crab steering, a special kind of four-wheel steering that enables it to approach the stop at an angle. Combined with the automatic steering, the bus can stop at the platform so precisely that it can be lowered without a gap and passengers can get on and off at ground level. Normal busses can't do this. A variant of the Phileas has a flywheel instead of batteries to store energy.

Dutch Collaborations in Green Mobility

The body of the Phileas bus was designed by Duvedec and manufactured by Fokker Hoogeveen. Duvedec received the Eindhoven Design Award 2006 for its design. The Phileas bus is made by APTS (Advanced Public Transport Systems), a consortium that includes bus manufacturer VDL Bus & Coach and the Brabantse Ontwikkelingsmaatschappij (BOM) (Brabant Development Agency).

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