Ready for World Cup Kick-off in Rio de Janeiro: Bus Rapid Transit system relies on more than 90 Mercedes-Benz articulated buses to provide fast and safe mobility
- Mercedes-Benz do Brasil receives major order for more than 90 Mercedes-Benz articulated buses
- Mercedes-Benz buses the first to be used in the Bus Rapid Transit system (BRT)
- BRT – the Mobility solution for the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro
Stuttgart/Rio de Janeiro,Brazil– When the city surrounding Sugarloaf Mountain announced it needed transport help for big upcoming sporting events, Daimler answered the call by contributing its many years of expertise with the innovative Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) mobility concept.
Rio de Janeirois counting on the urban BRT system to accommodate the higher mobility requirements expected during the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games. The planned BRT system will consist of several sections and will cover a total length of approximately 150 kilometers. Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz do Brasil subsidiary has already been awarded a major order for more than 90 Mercedes-Benz articulated buses, as well as special BRT services, for the so-called “Transoeste” BRT section that has been commissioned in early June.
Mercedes-Benz buses will thus be the first vehicles to operate on the exclusive main bus axes that will be fed by several feeder lines. The above 50-kilometer “Transoeste” BRT section can reduce travel time by 50 percent and transport around 220,000 passengers per day. The articulated bus – which is known in Brazilas the “Ligeirão” (large rapid bus) – stands out through its ability to transport up to 145 passengers.
“This major order demonstrates the confidence local public transport companies have in our products and our expertise with the Bus Rapid Transit urban mobility solution,” says Jürgen Ziegler, President of Mercedes-Benz do Brasil and CEO for Latin American operations. “By selecting the Mercedes-Benz articulated bus model,Rio de Janeiro has opted for the undisputed market leader in the country. In the local market of Rio de Janeiro Mercedes-Benz do Brasil even holds a share of over 70 percent, which clearly is a compelling sales argument.”
The articulated bus with the star also boasts state-of-the-art BlueTec 5 exhaust gas treatment technology, which meets the PROCONVE P-7 emission standard (similar to Euro V) that went into effect in Brazil in January 2012.
Daimler offers complete solutions for BRT systems
In addition to its modern product range for passenger transport, Daimler and its BRT expert team offer support during the planning, implementation, and further development of customized Bus Rapid Transit concepts. The team includes specialists for traffic and trans-port planning, engineers, strategists, and local experts from around the world. As a result, the Group is present with its Mercedes-Benz buses in all key BRT systems worldwide, including those in São Paulo and Curitibain Brazil, Bogotá in Colombia, Istanbul in Turkey, and many other cities.
Mercedes-Benz do Brasil
Mercedes-Benz do Brasil is the biggest commercial vehicle manufacturer in Latin America. Its São Bernardo do Campo plant is Daimler’s biggest outside of Germany and the only plant where trucks, bus chassis, powertrains — including engines, transmissions and axles — and truck cabs are produced at a single location.
The facility inJuiz de Forais also part of Mercedes-Benz’ global commercial vehicle production network. At the beginning of 2012,Juiz de Foraalso launched production of the Mercedes-Benz Actros and the Accelo light truck for the Latin American market.