Cleanliness as a calling card – how vbsh and Wetrok are shaping the future together

“We are a flagship for the city and the region,” says Volker Jäkle, Head of Infrastructure and Safety Officer at vbsh, in an interview. Anyone travelling by public transport should feel comfortable. Punctuality, reliability – and, of course, cleanliness.

Ensuring that this standard is consistently met in day-to-day operations has much to do with a partnership that goes far beyond a traditional supplier relationship.

From supplier to partner

Volker Jäkle has been working with Wetrok for many years. His professional path has crossed repeatedly with that of field sales representative Ursula Huber. When vbsh fundamentally restructured their cleaning system, one thing was clear to him: “We’re putting all our eggs in one basket – from A to Z.”

This supply chain approach is central to Volker Jäkle. One point of contact, clear terms and conditions, a shared concept. “I don’t see Wetrok merely as a supplier, but as a partner,” he emphasises. When an issue arises, they do not simply offer a product; they work together to develop a solution.

This was also the case when introducing a new overnight cleaning system for the bus fleet.

Process instead of improvisation

In the past, part of the cleaning was carried out during ongoing operations, with interfaces between refuelling, the wash hall and vehicle movements. From an occupational safety and efficiency perspective, this was no longer up to date.

Today, the process is far more structured: the vehicles are parked in the depot, and the cleaning crew carries out the work directly at the bus stand. Three people per night form a team, with clearly defined tasks and procedures. Together with Wetrok, tests were conducted, time windows analysed, and methods and equipment aligned.

The result is a well-designed top-down system.

One person takes care of the side windows, another removes hand marks, and the third is responsible for vacuuming and floor care using pre-impregnated mops. On average, each bus requires twelve to fifteen minutes – flexible enough to handle autumn leaves, winter road salt or confetti after carnival.

The required cloths and mops are washed during the day, and the cleaning chemicals are correctly dosed and prepared. At night, the teams can focus entirely on their work.

Quality is reflected in the details

In bus operations, no two days are the same. Weather conditions, passenger volumes and seasonal influences continuously change the requirements. What matters is that the cleaning system can respond accordingly.

One example: when tonnes of salt were spread on the roads in winter and the staff reached their limits during cleaning, the system was swiftly adapted in close coordination – switching from the usual method to the classic two-bucket system.

For Volker Jäkle, this is what professional collaboration is all about. Processes can be flexibly restructured whenever necessary.

Decisions were made based on experience and close consultation – and consistently implemented within the system.

Products that have proven their worth

Whether high-performance vacuum technology or pre-impregnated cloths in the established colour-coded system, “We can no longer imagine our daily operations without them,” says Volker Jäkle.

The clear colour logic prevents incorrect application, pre-dosing relieves staff, and handling procedures are clearly defined.

New machines, such as compact scrubber solutions, are also put to the test. Not everything is adopted without question – but much proves its value in practical trials. Hands-on evaluation instead of catalogue-based decisions.

This openness on both sides builds trust. And it makes innovation tangible.

Travelling the journey together

At vbsh, much is in motion: Service Concept 2030, electrification of the fleet, digitalisation of cleaning schedules – development is in full swing. In future, cleaning processes are to be digitally managed, with tablets potentially replacing paper-based plans.

Wetrok is regarded as a cooperation partner in this context – a company that thinks ahead, whether in sustainable chemistry, ergonomic machines or digital solutions.

And when Volker Jäkle is asked to describe Wetrok in one sentence, he does not hesitate: “Close to the customer, solution-oriented and reliable.”

For vbsh, cleanliness is a promise – to the city, to the region and to every passenger. It is the result of a partnership that delivers tangible results: professionalism, trust and the shared ambition to improve day by day.