On 5 December 2008 the last four of a total of 24 identically built Sprinter Transfer 55 vehicles were handed over at the Dortmund minibus plant. The rural-service buses were presented to Ulrich Jäger, Head of Deutsche Bahn Ostwestfalen-Lippe-Bus (OWL), by Dr. Ulrich Hesselmann, Head of Mercedes-Benz Minibus GmbH. The 24 traffic-red Mercedes-Benz minibuses will be used over the next six years primarily for transporting schoolchildren in the German states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony.

At a length of 7665 mm the Sprinter Transfer 55 is the largest of a total of 5 rural-service bus models in the Mercedes-Benz minibus range (Sprinter Transfer 23, Sprinter Transfer 34, Sprinter Transfer 35, Sprinter Transfer 45 and Sprinter Transfer 55). It is based on the longest (7345 mm) Sprinter panel van model which was first lengthened by 30 cm and then equipped with a well-proportioned bus rear including a generous luggage compartment door. The larger passenger compartment, built completely in Dortmund, offers comfortable seating space for up to 22 passengers.

The new minibuses for OWL are amongst the safest vehicles in their class. The safety highlight is the standard-fit Electronic Stability Program ESP® with loading and centre-of-gravity detection (ADAPTIVE ESP®). Also standard are the anti-lock braking system (ABS), acceleration skid control (ASR), electronic brake force distribution (EBV) and Brake Assist (BAS).

All 24 vehicles are uniformly equipped and have 22 highly durable passenger seats with 2-point seat belts. A rural-service luggage rack placed on one side provides ample space for hand luggage. When choosing the upholstery, carpeting and the side wall panelling the DB Bahn also placed a high priority on durable materials due to the vehicle’s intended use of transporting schoolchildren. For maximum convenience in boarding and deboarding the minibuses are equipped with an electrically operated step on the sliding door, which is also electrically operated. A pleasant temperature in the passenger compartment is ensured by the high-performance hot water convector heater in the winter and a powerful roof-mounted air conditioning system in the summer.

Powerful propulsion comes courtesy of the tried-and-tested OM 646 DE 22 LA engine. The economical 4-cylinder diesel engine develops 110 kW (150 hp) and meets the Euro 4 EU emissions guideline. Like all Mercedes-Benz minibuses, the Sprinter Transfer 55 comes as standard with a diesel particulate filter. A six-speed manual transmission takes on the power transmission.