ITALY Solaris Bus & Coach has won a tender to supply 300 InterUrbino buses to Cotral based in Rome. The framework agreement valued at nearly €110m stipulates that within the next four years the Polish manufacturer will hand over 300 vehicles to the customer. This year Solaris is to complete the first part of the order which most probably will cover 122 buses. Apart from the sale, the transaction also includes the maintenance of the vehicles for 10 years.
The 12-metre InterUrbinos will operate on regional lines in Lazio, an administrative region located in the central part of the Italian Peninsula. The vehicles ordered are fitted with Euro 6 240kW DAF MX-11 engines. A five-camera CCTV system will enable the driver to see the area behind the bus as well as its interior and second door. The buses will also be equipped with passenger counting and voice announcement systems.
Up to 49 passengers will be able to enjoy comfortable seats with reclining backrests. Air-conditioning will keep temperatures cooler on the hottest days. There’s 5.2 cubic metres of luggage capacity in compartments under the floor. Luggage racks have also been specified for above the seats.
So far Solaris has delivered over 500 buses and trolleybuses to Italian operators. Among these, 60 InterUrbinos make up a significant share.
The Cotral order is the second largest in the manufacturer’s 20-year history, beating such major contracts as manufacturing 260 Urbinos for Berlin or delivering 225 buses for Dubai. So far, only Athens City Transport has purchased slightly more Solaris vehicles by taking delivery of 320 Urbinos.
