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MBSA hands buses over to the City of Johannesburg

22nd November 2013

By: Anine Kilian

Contributing Editor Online

  

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The City of Johannesburg received 134 buses for its bus rapid transit (BRT) system, the Rea Vaya Phase 1B, from Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA), in October.

Speaking at the Johannesburg International Motor Show, which took place last month, MBSA bus and coach brand manager Dirk Ansorge said that the Daimler group subsidiary’s BRT system had been proven in some of the world’s largest developing cities, such as Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil; Mexico City, in Mexico; Instanbul, in Turkey; Bogota, in Columbia; and Nantes, in France.

“More than 17 000 Mercedes- Benz buses currently operate worldwide using a wide range of vehicles, from minibuses to extra-long articulated buses,” he said.
Ansorge noted that the advantages of the BRT system included comparatively low infra- structure costs and the speedy availability of a reliable regular-service bus network.

“The BRT system ensures that people from all walks of life continue to enjoy affordable and convenient mobility in the future. In addition, the system’s use of engine technology and its ability to keep buses moving rapidly, regardless of stop-and-go traffic, will play an important role in helping to substantially reduce carbon dioxide emissions,” he explained.

In South Africa, the merits of MBSA’s sustainable mass mobility were recognised when the City of Johannesburg awarded its Rea Vaya tender to MBSA’s Sandown Motor Holdings, Ansorge added.

“The Phase 1B network covers ten stations from Soweto and passes through Noordegesig, New Canada, Pennyville, Bosmont, Coronationville, Newclare, Westbury, Westdene, Melville, Auckland Park and Parktown, linking with the central business district,” he said.

MBSA’s Euro V city bus chassis will be used in 93 complementary buses and 41 articulated buses. The chassis were assembled at its plant in East London, on a bus-dedicated assembly line, with the body built to the company’s exacting standards by local body builders.

MBSA will import these chassis in complete knock-down kits. While the major components for the chassis originate from the Mercedes-Benz plant in Brazil, the company engineered its final assembly to increase local-content opportunities. Tyres, wiring looms, piping, fuel tanks, driver and vehicle management systems, as well as oils and lubricants, are sourced locally.

“One of the important pillars that determine the success of BRT systems is the uptime factor. We will provide all the necessary product support to ensure that uptime is at its peak,” Ansorge pointed out, adding that MBSA’s chassis are reliable.

“MBSA’s commitment does not end with the chassis. We will take responsibility for the product for the duration of the contract,” he said.

As part of MBSA’s value chain offering, telematics-supported Internet services company FleetBoard Professional will also offer the city product familiarisation and driver training.
“At MBSA, we believe in building sustainable business relationships with our clients. We further believe that the relationship can only develop when value is added to the client’s business. We will offer the city the extensive technical support and management skills of our qualified and experienced professionals. This will enable the drivers to get the most out of our technology, features and benefits,” he concluded.

Edited by Megan van Wyngaardt
Creamer Media Contributing Editor Online

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