Otokar wins contract to supply 100 articulated city buses to Istanbul

Otokar, the winner of the tender, will also provide IETT after-sales services for three years.

Otokar, a Koç Group company and Turkey’s leading bus manufacturer, has received a letter of invitation to sign the agreement for 100 articulated buses, which the Istanbul Electric Tramway and Tunnel Establishments (IETT) Directorate General will purchase. The agreement, worth TL 606 million, will be signed within the next ten days. The new bus to be used in Istanbul will be a KENT C, a 21-metre articulated city bus with a capacity of 200 passengers. Otokar will also provide IETT after-sales services for three years. The plan is to complete delivery of the buses in batches by 2022.

The Otokar brand, whose buses are used in more than 50 countries, has also been preferred by many metropolitan municipalities in Turkey in recent years. Managing Director Serdar Görgüç noted that Otokar occupies a unique position in Istanbul with many years of service to the city and worldwide experience in public transport. “More than 1,000 Otokar public transport buses have been in service by IETT since 2012. As Turkey’s leading bus manufacturer, we are very familiar with the conditions and challenges of public transport in Istanbul, one of the world’s largest cities. We are aware of the responsibility that public transport in Istanbul demands. We have brought our experience to the development of our products. We designed and developed the 21-metre version of the articulated KENT C, which provides safe journeys for millions of passengers every day in Turkey and around the world as a result.”

“WE AIM TO RAISE THE BAR IN TRANSPORT”

Serdar Görgüç explained that the buses are being developed to improve comfort on public transport. “At Otokar, we are proud to serve IETT once again. Under previous contracts, we provided after-sales services for our vehicles in the IETT fleet for five years and helped to reduce operating costs. Thanks to the infrastructure built at the time, the service rate, including periodic maintenance, was 99%. In other words, KENT buses ran regularly every day and continued to serve the people of Istanbul without interruption. This rate is still much higher than the world average. Serving a megacity like Istanbul is an excellent benchmark for all manufacturers. For us, Istanbul is a great success and an important benchmark. We are honoured that IETT has awarded us this contract. We have developed the ideal articulated bus for the conditions in Istanbul. We aim to raise the bar in public transport with our vehicles, which we will also support with after-sales services.”

HIGH PASSENGER CAPACITY, EASY ACCESS

Otokar offers comfortable and safe journeys to millions of passengers in over 50 countries with its innovative buses. The latest addition to Otokar’s vehicle range, the new 21-metre articulated KENT C, with a capacity of 200 passengers, is designed with features to meet the growing public transport needs of major cities. KENT C, built on the know-how and experience gained from KENT buses in use in Turkey and around the world, will turn a new page in public transport with its efficient performance, durability, low fuel consumption and high levels of safety and comfort. The vehicle’s outward-opening doors will allow passengers to get on and off the metrobus safely and quickly, while the step-free design and well-positioned seats will improve accessibility. With a high roof, spacious interior and powerful air conditioning, KENT C promises pleasant journeys on public transport. The vehicle also boasts high levels of thermal and acoustic insulation.

LOW RUNNING COSTS, HIGH SAFETY

The 21-metre articulated KENT C comes with new-generation features and a powerful engine that delivers high torque. The vehicle’s Super Eco driving mode optimises gear range and reduces fuel consumption. The bus has been developed taking into account the gradients, road systems and weather conditions in different cities. It is also equipped with warning systems that detect its surroundings, pedestrians and bicycles, blind spots and warn drivers in risky situations. The 21-metre Kent C offers a large passenger capacity and spacious interiors. The 4th axle with independent steerable suspension gives the vehicle a tight turning radius, ensuring great manoeuvrability compatible with the BRT route. The 21-metre KENT C also features an electronic management system that controls the articulated part of the bus, preventing swaying on bends and automatically limiting engine power and torque to ensure a high level of safety.