In the university city of Heidelberg, bus service disruptions are becoming increasingly frequent, forcing Rhein-Neckar-Verkehr GmbH (rnv) to reorganize its daily operations at short notice. According to the company, cancellations are possible on all 14 bus lines within the city limits, and disruptions are also affecting some outlying routes. Hydrogen buses with fuel cells are particularly affected, as several vehicles have reported technical defects.
Service disruptions and line 20: Timetable changes
rnv is temporarily suspending line 20 completely, resulting in the loss of through connections in Heidelberg. A spokesperson said: “We are doing everything we can to minimize the impact on passengers.” At the same time, the transport company is organizing additional vehicles through subcontractors to at least partially fill the gaps in service.
Many passengers experience disruptions throughout the day, as service cancellations don’t just occur during off-peak hours. Furthermore, routes to Ziegelhausen or Heiligkreuzsteinach are disrupted, leading to more frequent missed connections. Many routes are designed for the use of hydrogen buses. If a vehicle breaks down, it can’t always be replaced at short notice, and the timetable becomes more limited.
Frost and Compressors: Technology Becomes a Bottleneck
Some of the malfunctions originate with compressors, and frost damages components designed to ensure stable operation. As a result, several hydrogen fuel cell buses in Heidelberg remain in the depot, even though the vehicles are fundamentally designed for regular service. Maintenance is also taking longer because tests on the hydrogen technology and the fuel cell drive are carried out sequentially.
Added to this are faults in the onboard electrical systems, and rnv (Rhein-Neckar-Verkehr GmbH) doesn’t expect a quick resolution. A spokesperson stated, “A quick solution is not in sight, especially here,” because technicians first have to reproduce the fault patterns and then narrow them down. Service cancellations will therefore remain possible as long as the underlying causes are not permanently resolved and there are no spare parts available.
Region-wide variations: Fleet mix is key
Mannheim and Ludwigshafen are reporting fewer disruptions because fewer hydrogen fuel cell buses are operating in regular service there. This keeps service more stable, while H2 buses play a larger role in Heidelberg’s network. At the same time, the larger proportion of conventional vehicles in the neighboring cities facilitates short-term replacement plans.
rnv (Rhein-Neckar-Verkehr GmbH) is not specifying how long the disruptions will last and has not provided a date for a return to normal service in Heidelberg. A spokesperson said: “It is therefore still unclear how long the disruptions will last.” Passengers should check for updates before traveling, as cancellations can change planned routes at short notice.