Riding the Bus Becomes an Adventure: A New Children’s Zone in the RVBW eCitaro Bus
When children suddenly reach out laughing for a giraffe, parents watch with ease, and a city bus conveys a sense of comfort, that’s design at work. With the very first dedicated children’s zone in Swiss public transit, Regionale Verkehrsbetriebe Baden-Wettingen (RVBW) and Milani are sending a clear message: safety and joy are just as essential to the future of mobility as sustainability and technology.
From Technology to Experience: Rethinking Public Transit for Families
By investing in 17 fully electric articulated buses of the Mercedes-Benz eCitaro model, RVBW took a major step toward climate-friendly mobility. Yet for RVBW it was clear: future-ready public transportation means more than an emissions-free drivetrain. The passenger experience also needed to be improved, especially for families with children.
The key question: how can safety for young passengers be enhanced while also inspiring the next generation to embrace public transit?
The idea of a dedicated, family-friendly design solution was born. But the implementation was complex. In mass-produced buses, individual design modifications are typically not possible. On top of that, approval from the Swiss Federal Office of Transport (BAV) was required. What it called for was not only creativity and expertise in interior design for transit buses, but also proven experience in strategic execution.
The Solution: A Children’s Zone That Tells Stories
Milani developed the concept for the first children’s zone in Swiss public transportation and guided the execution down to the last detail. At its heart is the Milani-designed children’s handrail featuring three jungle-themed motifs. Whether bear, giraffe, or monkey – for kids, holding on becomes a mini-adventure, turning the ride into a playful discovery. Parents, in turn, can relax and enjoy a safer journey with their children.
But the children’s zone is more than a charming detail. It restructures the interior, directs passenger flow, and ensures smoother operations. The result is a better experience not just for families, but for all passengers on board.
Custom Design Despite Mass Production
The biggest challenge lay in implementation. For a mass-produced vehicle like the eCitaro, custom interior design for buses is not usually possible. This is where Milani brought in its expertise as a design and execution partner in the field of public transportation. Working hand in hand with Daimler, who embraced this innovative idea, the modifications were seamlessly integrated into the factory production process. At the same time, Milani involved the Swiss Federal Office of Transport early on to ensure regulatory approval of the new children’s zone.
Thanks to Milani, a simple idea was transformed into a solution that unites safety, joy, and design for sustainable mobility, positioning RVBW as a pioneer in family-friendly and forward-looking public transit.
