BusTech Master Europe comes from Switzerland
Stefan Frey wins the final of the OMNIplus BusTech Challenge
The participants of the BusTech Challenge 2026 from OMNIplus have already successfully passed a whole series of tests before competing in the high-ranking final of the respective national winners in Neu-Ulm to determine Europe’s best bus mechanic. The competition demonstrates the high level of service quality at OMNIplus.
Competition with a European field of participants
Several hundred participants from all over Europe took part in the seventh edition of the BusTech Challenge 2026. The internal competition - which employees of all OMNIplus service centers and contract partners in Europe can participate in - was under the motto “Compete with friends” and included several qualification rounds in which the participating bus fitters from 21 European countries asked questions about the bus and its function, maintenance and repair. The approx. 300 bus mechanics and technicians from the authorised OMNIplus service centers must deliver top performance in theory and practice in order to reach the final in Neu-Ulm.
“The BusTech Challenge 2026 once again demonstrated the outstanding skills of OMNIplus employees.”
Multi-stage online qualifying up to the final
At the beginning of 2026, participants were first asked about their knowledge in an online test on topics relating to bus technology, maintenance and repair. The participants who had successfully passed the first qualifying round also took an online test in the second lap. This time the questionnaire included another 25 questions. The “BusTech Master” of the individual countries was determined from this. In the final of the national winners, they then demonstrated their practical knowledge and skills in the maintenance and repair of city, intercity and touring coaches of the Mercedes-Benz and Setra brands in Neu-Ulm in order to determine the overall winner. At the BusTech Challenge, the first to third place winners could win a tool trolley with an extensive or selected range of tools or a professional
Tool assortment in case.
Strong performance at the final in Neu-Ulm
Among the respective national winners, Stefan Frey, Merbag Aarau, from Switzerland stood out as the winner and was named “BusTech Master Europe” in the final and received the gold medal. Silver went to Christian Südhoff, Beresa OWL GmbH & Co. KG, from Germany, to place 2. The bronze medal was won by Lukasz Szewczyk, MotoCar Bus & Truck Service, from Austria.
The BusTech Challenge 2026 once again demonstrated the outstanding skills of the employees of the OMNIplus service centers. The competition was very demanding, all the more impressive were the performances shown by the participants on the two intensive competition days on site across all areas of expertise. The BusTech Challenge as a kind of Olympic game in the workshop area is not only intended to strengthen the network of employees, it is above all an important sign of appreciation for the participants.
Competition demonstrates high service quality
As a rule, OMNIplus determines the best bus mechanics and technicians in Europe every two years and awards the respective national winners the title of “BusTech Master”. Employees of all OMNIplus service centers and contract partners in Europe can take part. The competition consists of two or three digital qualifying rounds to determine the individual national winners and the final. This is a two-day final competition for the respective national winners from Europe.
