Due to charging problems with new electric buses, X-trafik in Gävleborg has been forced to cancel about 20 bus trips a day. On Wednesday, the number of cancelled buses was 50.
In December, X-trafik signed a contract with Transdev for 52 new electric buses to be used in the region. However, the electric buses have not been able to be fully charged, which has led to traffic problems where bus departures have had to be canceled daily in Sandviken, Hofors, Norrsundet and Norrlandet.
In addition to charging problems, the electric buses have also had difficulty maintaining a comfortable temperature on board. Passengers and drivers have reported very cold conditions in the buses, in some cases so cold that ice has formed on the floors.
– You just have to put up with it, Birgitta Ström from Gävle told the taxpayer-funded SR in December.
Because of these problems, ten new electric buses have been brought in from Transdev, but this is not enough to support the entire bus service. On Wednesday morning, more than 50 buses were cancelled, mainly in Sandviken.
– It is unfortunate and a difficult situation for our passengers, but we are working hard to solve the problems, says X-trafik department manager Andreas Eriksson to the Bonnier newspaper Gefle Dagblad.
It is currently unclear how long the problems will last. The affected travelers are regularly offered compensation for delays.