0 The Setra ComfortClass 500 reinforces European long-distance network

Their route is Prague to Bratislava, or even further to Budapest. By introducing three touring coaches from the new ComfortClass 500, Deutsche Touring GmbH is opening a new chapter in international long-distance service.

"The three two-axle S 516 HDs are the first vehicles from the new Setra generation that we are using in our international regular service network, and therefore also the first ComfortClass 500 touring coaches to be used in the Czech Republic," said Frank Zehle during the ceremonial handover of the coaches at the Setra Customer Centre in Neu-Ulm. The General Manager of Deutsche Touring GmbH in Frankfurt took delivery of the three new two-axle coaches together with Milan Tuhacek, the General Manager of the Czech transport operator Touring Bohemia. Also present was Vladimir Krstic, General Manager of Touring Serbia in Nis, who took delivery of two ComfortClass 400 coaches - an S 416 GT‑HD and an S 417 GT-HD - on the same day. Both companies are wholly owned by the large Frankfurt-based fleet operator.

Frank Zehle knows that with this start into a new vehicle era, he will score with both his passengers and against competitors in the market: "With the new Business Class coaches we will be able to expand our range of safe and inexpensive tours even further. Our customers will be delighted with the comfort of these economical 48-seater coaches." In addition to a high-quality interior design and a seat spacing that allows plenty of legroom, passengers can enjoy free internet access. Each seat row is also equipped with a 220V power connection. A multi-channel system enables passengers to entertain themselves by listening to the radio or music CDs, or watching a film. In a few weeks Deutsche Touring will also take delivery of two new S 516s for its subsidiary in Croatia. This makes the Frankfurt-based company the first to use this ultra-modern touring coach in the Balkans.

Heinz Friedrich, Setra brand spokesman for Germany, is gratified by this prestigious order which enables the Daimler AG brand to demonstrate the commercial advantages of the ComfortClass 500 on an international basis: "I am convinced that these coaches from the new vehicle generation will attract admiring looks and show that they are ideally suited for use on European long-distance routes."

Deutsche Touring – also linked to Setra by the logo

As early as 1949 Deutsche Touring GmbH started its first international regular services from Frankfurt to Basle, Salzburg and Vienna. When regular bus services to Zagreb were introduced in 1971, regular international services developed into the company's main business. Further expansion of the network to Serbia in 1980 and to Bosnia in 1983 made the Balkans the most important source of income.

Using the slogan "We connect Europe", the modern touring coaches operated by Deutsche Touring Gesellschaft serve 700 destinations in 32 countries from 80 departure points in Germany. More than 1.7 million passengers from a wide range of nationalities used the regular service routes of Deutsche Touring last year to travel through Europe in the utmost comfort.

The company is linked to the Ulm-based Setra brand by a long tradition. The first Setra buses were introduced into the fleet as early as 1955. In 1949 the logo of Deutsche Touring GmbH was created by the designers at the bus manufacturer Kässbohrer, the owner of the Setra brand before the takeover by Daimler AG. In slightly modified form it is still in use today.

Credits: Daimler AG

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