Wallonia, Belgium – Italian bus manufacturer Iveco Bus has announced the signing of a significant new contract with OTW, the public transport operator of Wallonia, for the supply of 127 Crossway Low Entry buses.
The agreement will see the modern, 12-meter suburban buses rolled out across the Liège and Namur regions in two delivery phases: 83 units will be handed over starting in the first quarter of 2026, followed by 44 more in early 2027.
This marks the third contract between OTW and Iveco Bus within just two years, strengthening a growing partnership. In 2023, OTW awarded Iveco Bus framework agreements for 22 Daily minibuses and 42 Crossway Low Entry Hybrid vehicles, the latter being launched later that year.
The new Crossway Low Entry buses are specifically designed for suburban transit, with a passenger capacity of up to 99 people, including 37 seated.
These buses feature climate control systems, ergonomic and high-comfort seating with integrated USB ports, passenger information displays, and practical luggage racks.
The design also ensures full accessibility, thanks to a low-floor section between the front and middle doors and an external sliding door.
The buses are powered by a Cursor 9 engine delivering 360 horsepower, optimized for compatibility with Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel, and paired with a Voith automatic transmission. This configuration meets modern demands for fuel efficiency and sustainability without compromising on performance.
“These buses will operate on suburban routes, where passengers spend more time onboard. Therefore, features that enhance passenger comfort—such as thermal comfort, low noise levels, a high number of seats, attractive aesthetics, and ease of use for all customers—are particularly important,” explained Christophe Martin, OTW’s rolling stock manager. He added that safety, ergonomics, and energy efficiency were central to the decision-making process.
Giorgio Zino, Head of Bus Commercial Operations in Europe at Iveco Bus, welcomed the continued partnership: “We are pleased with this new collaboration with OTW and would like to thank them for their trust in our models. These CROSSWAY Low Entry vehicles perfectly address the current challenges of passenger mobility.”
OTW has previously diversified its fleet with orders from other manufacturers as well, including 161 hybrid buses from Solaris in 2021 and 97 Volvo 7900 S-Charge models in 2023. Still, the repeat orders from Iveco Bus indicate a strong preference for the brand’s blend of innovation, comfort, and operational efficiency.
With this latest contract, Wallonia is taking another step toward modernizing its regional transport services and offering more accessible and environmentally conscious commuting options to its residents.
