SETRA S300NC
Transpole, Lille no. 3006 (7957 XV 59) - May 2000
France's
first low-floor buses were Setras - a batch of S300NCs which were delivered to
CTAC, Caen at the beginning of 1992. Despite this promising start, the S300NC
seems to have made itself highly unpopular - many passed to new owners after
relatively short lives with their first operators. This included the pioneering
Caen buses, which were replaced at an early stage. The largest fleet of the type
in France is in Rouen, where 32 operate, however this is one of a fleet of 20
operating in Lille. Most of the Lille buses are second-hand acquisitions from
other operators.
SETRA S315NF
Kunegel, Illzach no. 475 (8864 ZD 67) - September 2001
The
S300NC was replaced by the S315NF, examples of which can be found scattered
around France. The largest fleet is with Lacroix, an operator in the
north-western suburbs of Paris - they operate over 60 of the type. Elsewhere they
are found in only small numbers. This is one of a pair which were operated by Alsace
coach firm Kunegel on a shuttle service linking the Baggarsee stop on the
Strasbourg tram system with Strasbourg airport. The service is provided under
subcontract to CTS so the buses wear a modified version of CTS colours. More
recently Kunegel has lost the contract for this service to rival firm Trans'L
who also use S315NFs on the service. Noteworthy features of the S315NF include the huge windows, and the continued use of plug
doors.