Technical fault

Another hydrogen bus breakdown in Villach

Five hydrogen buses are currently in trial operation in Villach. Incidents occur time and again.

(Bild: Peter Kleinrath)

The pilot project with the climate-friendly vehicles is apparently not going well. Passengers are annoyed.

Once again, passengers on Villach's public transport system had to wait longer. In the most recent case, girls and boys from the elementary school in Maria Gail were affected. Their bus arrived half an hour late on Thursday afternoon. The cause of this breakdown was once again a hydrogen bus. The vehicle, equipped with the latest technology, had suddenly broken down during the journey and was obstructing traffic on Industriestraße.

The police were immediately alerted to divert the cars past the faulty bus. "A replacement bus had to be requested because it was no longer possible to continue the journey due to a technical fault," said ÖBB.

Problems again and again
However, this latest annoyance is not an isolated incident. Hydrogen buses have already caused chaos and delays in school transport on several occasions. Last December, as reported, one such emission-free transport vehicle in Villach paralyzed an entire morning service. The Villach Postbus head office was then literally flooded with letters of complaint from angry passengers and parents.

ÖBB regrets the incidents. "The buses are still in trial operation," explains an ÖBB employee: "It can happen that the technology plays tricks on us." The cause of the latest malfunction is being investigated. According to experts, the air-conditioned buses cause problems, especially in winter, because they are sensitive to the cold. "Our drivers are therefore on duty earlier so that the fuel cell can start up in peace. As I said, we are still in trial operation."