MAN Truck & Bus has been awarded the role of main supplier under Deutsche Bahn’s (DB) largest bus contract to date, following the signing of a framework agreement covering more than 3,000 buses. The agreement runs from 2027 to 2032 and includes city and intercity models such as the MAN Lion’s City, MAN Lion’s City E and MAN Lion’s Intercity LE. A significant share of the order will comprise fully electric buses, underlining a strong commitment to sustainable public transport in Germany.
Alexander Vlaskamp, CEO of MAN Truck & Bus, said the agreement represents a landmark win for the company and a strong endorsement of its products and capabilities. He noted that the high proportion of electric buses highlights the joint contribution of MAN and Deutsche Bahn towards the sustainable transformation of local public transport.
MAN and Deutsche Bahn have been working together since 2010, making this one of the most successful partnerships in the global bus market. Over the past 15 years, MAN has delivered nearly 5,000 buses to DB, which are currently deployed in urban and intercity operations. Under the new agreement, the vehicles will be operated by DB Regio AG across Germany, with Deutsche Bahn able to choose from a broad and flexible portfolio.
Harmen van Zijderveld, Member of the DB Management Board for Regional Transport, said the new buses would continue to offer passengers reliable, comfortable and environmentally friendly mobility. He added that long-term contracts ensure access to modern vehicles and enable close collaboration with manufacturers, while also supporting Germany as an industrial location.
Dennis Affeld, Managing Director of MAN Truck & Bus Germany, highlighted that the framework agreement provides Deutsche Bahn with a comprehensive mix of efficient diesel buses, hybrid models and fully electric vehicles. According to him, this flexibility ensures the right technology for every route while supporting the achievement of climate targets in the coming years.
For intercity operations, MAN will supply Lion’s Intercity LE buses in three different lengths. The low-entry model combines high ride comfort with efficient fuel consumption, along with a modern design and operational flexibility. Urban transport will be served by the MAN Lion’s City range, offering diesel, CNG and hybrid options, including the MAN EfficientHybrid system that helps reduce fuel consumption and life-cycle costs.
A key highlight of the agreement is the MAN Lion’s City E range. A substantial portion of the order will consist of fully electric city buses, available in 10-, 12- and 18-metre variants. While the 10-metre version is suited for narrow urban routes, the 12-metre model balances capacity and manoeuvrability, and the 18-metre articulated bus is designed for high-demand corridors. Featuring in-house manufactured batteries, quiet operation and high passenger capacity, the MAN Lion’s City E is positioned as a benchmark for urban electric mobility.
With this framework agreement, MAN Truck & Bus and Deutsche Bahn further strengthen their long-standing partnership and send a clear signal in favour of sustainable, efficient and future-ready public transport solutions.