Major investment in Volvo Buses by Geneva operator

MAJOR INVESTMENT IN VOLVO BUSES BY GENEVA OPERATOR Volvo recently delivered the last of 77 articulated buses ordered by TPG, the public transport authority in Geneva, Switzerland. As one of the biggest orders for city buses secured by Volvo Buses in 2000, the contract also represents a major breakthrough for Volvo in the city. Beginning in September 2000, the 77 Volvo 7000 Artic buses were delivered at a brisk rate to Transports Public Genevois (TPG) by Volvo Trucks (Suisse) AG in Lyss. The order was one of the biggest contracts for city buses secured by Volvo in Europe in 2000. Built to the highest standards of operational and environmental performance, the new, ultramodern Volvo buses represent a major investment to TPG since they replace half of the city's existing fleet of diesel- powered articulated models. State-of-the-art plant The buses were built in Volvo's new busbuilding plant in Wroclaw, Poland - a facility which holds quality and environmental certification under ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 respectively. The vehicles comply fully with the extremely strict environmental standards in force in Switzerland, and are built in accordance with Volvo's own life-cycle assessment method, in which the environmental impact of the product is minimised at all stages from production of the raw materials to final disposal of the used product. Developing 310 hp, the fuel-efficient, electronically controlled, 7-litre engine is equipped with a Volvo exhaust filter and complies with Euro 2 limits in terms of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions. The Volvo buses are equipped with a multiplex electrical and electronic system, which offers higher quality, improved reliability and lower environmental impact. Among other advantages, the amount of wiring used in the system is considerably less than in previous models. Comfortable for driver and passengers The Volvo 7000 offers both driver and passengers a high standard of safety and comfort, as exemplified by the attractive trim and bright colour scheme used in the interior. The floor height is only 340 mm and boarding is facilitated by special sliding doors. One door provides wheelchair access. Video cameras also enable the driver to monitor the doors. The driver is a highly important 'safety feature' in a bus since he or she must be capable of spending a long period behind the wheel without becoming tired. For this reason, the Volvo engineers paid particular attention to creating the best possible driver's workplace. Step up in quality "The new Volvo articulated buses represent a major step up in quality for us. We had the happy opportunity of changing the 'look' of the bus, both inside and out. Now, the inhabitants of Geneva are enjoying the pleasure of travelling in 21st century buses on a daily basis," comments Christoph Stucki, General manager at Transports Publics Genevois. "It is also gratifying to use to see how obviously the street scene in Geneva has changed since the 77 buses were delivered. Hardly a minute goes by without seeing one of them in the city centre," adds Lars Johansson, Director, Area Central, of Volvo Buses in Brussels. February 27, 2001 ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by BIT http://www.bit.se The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/02/27/20010227BIT00710/bit0002.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/02/27/20010227BIT00710/bit0002.pdf