Verkehrsbetriebe Luzern AG (VBL AG), on behalf of Auto AG Uri, has introduced a new Setra S 531 DT double-decker coach on the Tellbus express route connecting Lucerne and Altdorf in Switzerland. The service links the two cantonal capitals at regular intervals each day, with only one intermediate stop. The route is primarily used by commuters and benefits from a direct connection through the Seelisbergtunnel on the A2 motorway. The journey takes around 45 minutes in one direction, making the bus service faster than rail travel on the route.
The new three-axle coach is finished in gold and silver and belongs to the Setra TopClass range. It has capacity for 79 passengers and combines passenger comfort with modern safety and driver assistance systems. Passengers are provided with Voyage seats featuring Ambassador upholstery and comfort headrests. Two club tables are located on the lower deck. The coach also features several passenger information monitors, allowing travellers to view current destination information from their seats.
One of the key features of the new coach is MirrorCam. The camera-based system replaces conventional exterior mirrors and provides the driver with an expanded view of the area around the vehicle. Images from the cameras are displayed on screens positioned inside the driver’s cab.
The S 531 DT is also equipped with Attention Assist and Active Brake Assist 6 (ABA 6). The latest emergency braking system from Daimler Buses combines short- and long-range radar sensors with a camera. It can carry out an automated full-stop braking manoeuvre at speeds of up to 60 km/h when it detects pedestrians, oncoming road users or vehicles travelling in the same lane.
The coach has also been designed to improve accessibility. It provides two dedicated spaces for passengers with reduced mobility, supporting inclusive travel on the Tellbus route. Power comes from a 12.8-litre Mercedes-Benz OM 471 diesel engine producing 375 kW, or 510 hp. The engine is paired with a fully automated eight-speed GO 250-8 MPS Powershift transmission.
Stefanie Wiederkehr, Head of Service Planning and Corporate Development at VBL AG, said the new S 531 DT meets the requirements of the more than 40-kilometre route while providing passengers with a high level of comfort. The new Setra coach adds modern technology and passenger-focused features to the Tellbus service, supporting reliable and comfortable express travel between Lucerne and Altdorf.
Daimler Truck is one of the world’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, developing and producing trucks and buses for markets across the globe. The company’s portfolio spans heavy-, medium- and light-duty trucks, as well as buses and related mobility solutions, serving a wide range of transportation and logistics applications.
Daimler Truck is focused on advancing the future of commercial mobility through innovations in electric vehicles, hydrogen-based technologies, connectivity, automation and digital services. With a strong global manufacturing and sales network, the company works to provide efficient, reliable and sustainable transportation solutions while supporting customers throughout the vehicle lifecycle.
