Warsaw transit operator orders 30 additional Solaris CNG buses
In August 2020, Miejskie Zakłady Autobusowe (MZA) in Warsaw signed a contract for 70 natural gas buses; that order consisted of 40 Solaris Urbino 12 CNG and 30 articulated Solaris Urbino 18 CNG buses. The first vehicles under that contract are currently being handed over to the customer. Now the operator has decided take advantage of the contractual option and to commission another 30 articulated buses running on natural gas. The newly ordered NGVs are to be delivered at the beginning of 2022.
The 18-meter buses can carry up to 135 people at a time. They feature a high-standard equipment. Of all the components enhancing passengers’ comfort offered by Solaris the carrier has chosen among others air conditioning for the whole vehicle, USB ports that make it possible to recharge mobile devices, a comprehensive passenger information system and a video surveillance system with cameras monitoring both the passenger compartment and the driver’s cabin as well as the area in front of the vehicle.
Another component increasing the safety of passengers in public transport is a so-called alcolock, i.e. a breath alcohol ignition interlock. It requires the driver to undergo a breathalyzer test. If the test result turns out positive, the system will disable the ignition.
The Solaris Urbino 18 CNG for MZA will also be fitted with closed driver’s cabins with a separate entrance, which are a standard feature for buses of that operator. The enclosed driver’s space ensures greater work comfort. What is more, it works perfectly throughout the pandemic as it limits the driver’s contact with passengers, thus minimizing the risk of infection.
MZA is the biggest client served by Solaris. Warsaw municipal operator has bought over 1,300 vehicles of various generations of the Solaris brand so far, including 100 environmentally friendly buses running on natural gas. According to the plans of the operator, by 2027 half of all the 1,500 Warsaw-based buses are to be low- and zero-emission vehicles.
