Exclusive model for busbetriebshof.de
MAN Lions City G 15, 3-door-version of KVB cologne
Item number: Rietze 72796-2
license plate: K-VB-601
destination sign: 172 Widdersdorf über Bf Lövenich
route sign: 172 Aachener Str - Bf Lövenich - Widdersdorf
limited edition: 150 items
The story about the special model:
There are many model buses from almost all major transport companies. Whether BVG, Hochbahn or Rheinbahn; whether Rietze, Brekina or Holland Oto, the variety of models is gigantic.
In Cologne, however, the number of models is very manageable.
I wanted to change this situation and was able to produce a first model bus series in agreement with the KVB AG (Cologne's public transport company).
The choice fell directly on the MAN Lions City G 15, because these buses currently characterize the Cologne cityscape.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
How did the line selection come about?
Cologne's "interim" Line 172 is highly controversial.
Politically demanded, lines 172/173 were introduced in December 2019. These lines were intended to relieve the overcrowded light rail line 1 by introducing attractive direct connections from Cologne West to the city.
The plan was to convert one lane of Aachener Straße into a bus lane on the common route. However, this then became a so-called environmental lane, and this only temporarily and then only in the direction of the load.
During the planning phase, there were protests against and in favor of these lines, and no other bus lines have received so much coverage in the regional media (from newspapers to television).
From my point of view the lines 172/173 offer a lot of potential, because interesting direct connections are offered, which were previously connected with transfers.
Whether the lines will survive for a long time cannot be assessed at all at present. Corona came shortly after the start of operations and the lines have not yet had a chance to prove themselves.
Line 172 will now live forever, at least as a model...