Volvo is the biggest supplier of buses to the new Bogota system

VOLVO IS THE BIGGEST SUPPLIER OFBUSES TO THE NEW BOGOTA SYSTEM Volvo do Brasil will supply over 300, out of the 470 articulated buses that will be running in one of the most modern and advanced urban passenger transport systems in the world, in Bogotá, Colombia. The vehicles are being built in Curitiba and shipped CKD to that country, where they are to be assembled and delivered to the system operators The city of Bogota have decided to radically change their transport system which until then was equipped with over 20 thousand buses, most of which small and old, with as many as 20 years of operating age, and only precariously serving the needs of the metropolis which has approximately 7.5 million people. Inefficient and highly polluting, the old system was characterised by delayed and uncomfortable travel times, detrimentally to the quality of life of commuters and the urban population, with traffic jams and high noise and emissions levels. To implement a breakthrough change to urban transport, the municipal Transmilenio company was established, with responsibility for managing the new system which carries the same name. The system is based on dedicated bus ways operated by high capacity buses - all of them articulated, during the first stage - with large loading terminals and modern bus stops, all of them with raised platforms at the same level as the bus floor and automated ticketing. One is impressed by the new terminals, platforms, approach bridges for passengers, underground pathways and the new garages. The Volvo vehicles, which hold a 70% share of the articulated buses in South America, are all B10M models, the major features of which are a horizontal engine fitted between the two front axles, a solution which has an undeniable edge for both articulated and bi-articulated buses. In addition to the electronically managed engine with very low noise and emissions levels - conforming to Euro II standards - the Volvo B10M buses have air suspension, computer controlled automatic transmission, ABS brakes and catalytic converters to further reduce exhaust emissions levels. With the start of operation of the first 65 Volvo units, in January this year, use of the system has grown rapidly , with an even greater number of commuters than previously anticipated. This demand is being attributed to both the comfort and shorter travel times afforded by high capacity vehicles running in dedicated bus lanes. As a result, the operating companies have decided to expedite negotiations to buy additional units. By the end of the first half of this year, more than 350 articulated Volvo buses should be running on the Bogota, Transmilenio system, according to Oswaldo Schmmitt, Bus Divsion director for South America and the Caribbean. "Bogatá is proving that a modern urban passenger transport system that offers quality to the users is all that the population expects from government management. Yet another famous example the world over is the Curitiba system, with a similar system that has become internationally known for its efficiency. The major advantage of this type of system resides in its high capacity, comparable to the metro system, but with implementation costs up to 25 times lower", states the Volvo do Brasil Bus Division Director. The Volvo vehicles exported to Colombia are being shipped CKD and assembled in that country by GM Colmotores. The bus bodies are Marcopolo, also shipped CKD and assembled by Superior. "These partnerships will ensure full service to local operators, since both GM Colmotores and Superior are the major companies in their lines of operation in that country", added Schmitt. March 15, 2001 For more information please contact: Heléne Mellquist, Head of Corporate Communicationt Volvo Bus Corporation Tel: +46 31 66 12 06 ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by BIT http://www.bit.se The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/03/15/20010315BIT00790/bit0002.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/03/15/20010315BIT00790/bit0002.pdf