Hands over first lot of 117 buses
Tata Motors has bagged an order for 500 new next-generation low-floor urban city buses from the Ivory Coast and has recently handed over the first lot of 117 buses to SOTRA in Côte d’Ivoire’s economic capital, Abidjan. The buses are being financed under the EXIM Bank of India for operation by SOTRA – Abidjan Transport Company.
Built on Tata Motors next-generation HCV (Heavy Commercial Vehicle) bus platform, the Tata LPO 1924 RESLF Abidjan’s next-generation bus has been developed with inputs from SOTRA, with a high degree of customization based on feedback gathered through city trials, over the last couple of months.
Present at the delivery of the 117 new buses in Abidjan, was Mr. Noel Tata, Managing Director of Tata International, and Chairman of TRENT, and Mr. Mukul Manish, Regional Manager (North & West Africa).
Sharing his thoughts, Mr. Rudrarup Maitra, Head International Business – Commercial Vehicles, Tata Motors, said: “Tata Motors is extremely proud to have received this order from SOTRA and has worked very closely with them to give Abidjan, a truly world-class solution, through a tried and tested partnership meant to bring about change in the transport system in Cote D’Ivoire. With a dedicated team of Tata Motors engineers, having worked with SOTRA on-ground over the last 12 months, we have probably achieved one of the highest levels of customization in public transportation in the region, to deliver more passenger comfort, safety and efficiency to Abidjan’s bus service.”
Mr. Maitra further added: “What we have achieved with a partner like SOTRA today is a perfect example of a public-private partnership and hope to further partner other state transport units in the region, to better their respective bus services.”
With world-class aggregates from Cummins, Allison, Meritor, built by Tata Motors and draped by the world-renowned body from Tata Marcopolo, the Tata LPO 1924 RESLF bus is changing urban transportation in Africa & Middle East. A pneumatic driver seat, automatic transmission, lower NVH, tilt & telescopic integral power steering are feature inbuilt into the bus to better driver comfort. Wide inswing doors at the front and outswing doors at the rear, a wo step entry to the bus, six bellows air suspension, a wider gangway and comfortable seating are new features being introduced to SOTRA’s bus service.