Dolomiti Bus has announced the strengthening of its operational capacity ahead of the start of the upcoming Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, introducing a set of 14 new buses to its vehicle fleet in order to support the event.
The company has stated that it expects to make millions of additional journeys during the Olympic period, putting public transport squarely in the frame as the most considered method of getting around during the event.
With five new Setra S531 DT double-deckers, four Mercedes-Benz Citaro K Hybrid city buses and five Mercedes Tourismo coaches; the new fleet has an average age of six years – one of the lowest in Italy.
The investment has been valued at 5.2 million EUR and forms part of a broader 12 million EUR fleet renewal programme, which has been progressively implemented over the last six months.
Each vehicle has been fully equipped with advanced safety and on-board technologies including ADAS systems, CCTV, fire-suppression equipment, passenger-counting sensors, next-generation ticket validators and USB charging ports.
During the Olympic period; the Setra S531 DT will operate on the corridors leading to Cortina d’Ampezzo, one of the flagship Olympic venues hosting contests such as women’s alpine skiing, bobsleigh, skeleton, curling and luge.
With long stretches between each venue; the Games are set to rely heavily on park-and-ride facilities, dedicated shuttles and last-mile services – with buses expected to play a key role in the delivery of the event.
CEO Stefano Rossi, said:Our continuous investments in fleet renewal are even more significant in the year when the world’s attention turns to our mountains.
Our buses will accompany athletes, workers, volunteers and spectators throughout the event. In this sense, they will 'coach the Olympics themselves'.
