Ikarus-Yutong submits most competitive bid for Budapest’s 160-trolleybus tender

As reported on Hungarian trade media Magyarbusz.info, Ikarus and Yutong have submitted (together) the most competitive bid for Budapest’s latest trolleybus procurement, a process initiated by the Budapesti Közlekedési Központ (BKK) in early 2024. The tender, which covers up to 160 battery-powered trolleybuses, including both solo and articulated models, is expected to be financed through European Union funds. However, funding for the procurement has not yet been secured, leaving the timeline for vehicle deliveries uncertain.

The official results of the tender are expected within the next one to two months. BKK has ambitious plans to expand Budapest’s trolleybus network, aiming to double the current 155 km of routes by 2030.

Credit opening picture (rendering): MBI Grafika

Four OEMs competing for 160 trolleybuses in Budapest

Initially, four manufacturers expressed interest: Ikarus-Yutong, Solaris, Škoda Group, and Bozankaya. However, reportedly, Škoda later withdrew, leaving three contenders in the final round. According to available information, Ikarus-Yutong’s offer, submitted by Electrobus Europe Zrt., stands out due to its competitive pricing. The bid includes the lowest unit prices, with solo trolleybuses offered at €451,500 and articulated models at €649,500.

What is interesting, as Magyarbusz.info states, while Ikarus does not currently produce trolleybuses and Yutong’s trolley models are mostly deployed in China and Latin America, the vehicles proposed for Budapest are based on Yutong’s U12 and U18 electric bus platforms.

The second-ranked bid comes from Bozankaya, a Turkish manufacturer expanding its presence in Central Europe. The company has proposed the SNG T12 and SNG T18 trolleybuses, already introduced in Timișoara and Prague. Although Bozankaya submitted the lowest costs for spare parts, maintenance, and training, these factors carried less weight in the evaluation process. Its unit prices are notably higher than Ikarus-Yutong’s, with solo trolleybuses priced at €569,000 and articulated versions at €729,000. Like Ikarus-Yutong, Bozankaya included a 36-month extended warranty in its bid.

Solaris, despite being the current supplier of Budapest’s trolleybus fleet, ranked third according to information. The Polish manufacturer has delivered 108 Trollino units to the city in recent years. Its solo trolleybuses were priced at €799,000, while the articulated versions reached €973,000.