For years, the bus operator Spillmann has put a lot of effort into making a journey on a public bus a real experience. To this end, Mercedes-Benz buses are individually designed and customised to the respective line creating unique vehicles for passengers to remember positively. The company from Bietigheim has now put five of these themed buses into service. At the Mannheim bus plant Bülent Menekse, Managing Director of Omnibusverkehr Spillmann GmbH, took delivery of four Mercedes-Benz Citaro hybrids and one Citaro articulated bus from Rüdiger Kappel, Head of Fleet Sales Daimler Buses Germany.

By buying the Mercedes-Benz Citaro Spillmann has opted once again for efficient hybrid components and the Sideguard Assist safety system. The radar-based Sideguard Assist supports the bus driver when making critical right turns. The system detects both stationary and mobile obstacles such as cyclists or pedestrians.

Citaro passengers can look forward to a very special interior because in addition to Wi-Fi, USB charging sockets and comprehensive infotainment, every vehicle is designed according to a theme. For example, there is a "Skipper" vehicle which has a floor made of ship planks and printed side walls that give passengers a view of the open sea or sandy beaches. In the "Astronomy" bus the floor is printed like the surface of the moon and the side walls show a view from the moon to the earth and into the universe. The "Bietigheim" vehicle visualises the highlights of the Bietigheim-Bissingen region on the side walls. The floor in this bus has a quarry stone design. In the "Vintage" bus, Spillmann has given the side walls a colourful 1960s design and it additionally features untreated steel handrails with a vintage character. In the Citaro articulated bus the seat colours create four different zones. This "mobility" bus features an asphalt flooring design including tyre tracks and central reservation.

Years ago, the bus company started to make local public transport more attractive with cool and unique vehicles. Spillmann's company philosophy is to stand out from other run-of-the-mill public buses by creating buses offering a special experience. This means that virtually every Spillmann public service bus has special design highlights: from handrails in a chrome or vintage look to eye-catching printed floors and side walls or specially upholstered seats.