JBM Group, leading auto component manufacturer in India, has made a big foray into bus manufacturing by launching ‘CITYLIFE’ – a low-floor bus specially designed for intra-city travel in the country. Set up at a total investment of Rs. 500 crores, the bus will be manufactured locally by JBM in technical collaboration with European bus-maker, BredaMenarinibus.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Nishant Arya, Executive Director, JBM Group, said: “JBM Group has been in the business of auto component manufacturing and contract manufacturing for around three decades. Therefore, venturing into full-fledged manufacturing was the obvious next step for us. After detailed market research, JBM narrowed down on this product. Well-known European bus manufacturer BredaMenarinibus is our partner in this venture and will provide technical support. The bus will be manufactured at our production facilities in Faridabad and Kosi, where combined annual capacities are 2,000 units per annum.”
‘CITYLIFE’ has been put through vigorous testing of more than 120 million kilometres across Europe, Africa and Asia, operating successfully in extreme weather, traffic and road conditions.
“Though the passenger bus segment has well-established national and international players, we are confident that ‘CITYLIFE’ will create a niche for itself. We have taken feedback from all stakeholders in the market to provide the best in class comfort, space, reliability and durability to the passenger. We offer value via JBM approach called TIP, which focuses on Technology, Innovation and People. We have an R&D team of more than 300 people, based out of India, Europe and the US, with nearly four decades’ experience in the commercial vehicle industry”, added Mr. Arya.
‘CITYLIFE’ has an Inverted Portal Axle (IPA) leading to the low-floor construction along with Independent Front Suspension (IFS) ensuring a luxury car like ride. The construction is based on the globally-acclaimed & tested monocoque platform, which has a single uniform frame structure that reduces the number of weld points, unlike a conventional body-on-chassis configuration. This results in uniform load distribution throughout the body, ensuring maximum strength and lower vehicle weight.
The monocoque platform offers a significant reduction in maintenance costs, thereby promising lower total cost of ownership for customers. Successful for more than 35 years across the globe, the durable power-train adds to the product’s credibility, which has undergone thousands of kilometres of testing in Indian conditions as well. Customer trials of the vehicle will commence soon with the product set to hit the market in mid-2014. It will be available in three engine options: 230 hp and 280 hp CNG, and 280 hp Diesel.
‘CITYLIFE’ is a 100 per cent low floor bus with step height of 340 mm, with no steps in the gangway, making it easy for passengers, particularly children, women and elderly people, to board and de-board without undue hassle. Fitted with disc brakes on all wheels for enhanced safety, it also has a unique auto shut off on ignition type safety valve on CNG cylinders along with Fire Detection & Fire Suppression system.
Separate air-conditioned driver cabin contributes to a comfortable, fatigue-free journey for the driver, while the Intelligent Transport System and Passenger Information System provide information on bus stops and major landmarks in the travel area for the benefit of passengers.
Keeping in mind the comfort of differently abled people, a separate space has been allotted for such passengers along with a foldable wheelchair ramp and kneeling facility. Double-door entry and exit also enhances commuter convenience. Besides the standard features, vehicle is compatible with contemporary & futuristic options such as automatic ticket machines and rear view cameras could be fitted on the vehicle as per customer demand.
JBM will reach out to the State transport corporations across the country with CITYLIFE as it gears up for the upcoming round of JnNURM in different States. Moving forward, the Company is planning to enter the intercity bus segment too, and is likely to launch a complete range of long-distance buses in the next five to six years as part of its endeavour to emerge as a strong player in the Indian bus market.