Solaris Bus & Coach S.A. has won a tender for the supply of 300 InterUrbino intercity buses to Cotral, a public transport company based in Rome. The framework agreement, worth nearly 110 million euros, stipulates that the Polish manufacturer will deliver a total of 300 vehicles over the next four years. Solaris will complete the first part of the order, likely involving 122 buses, later this year. In addition to the sale, the transaction also includes 10-year vehicle maintenance.
The modern 12-meter InterUrbino buses will serve regional lines in the Lazio administrative region, located in the central part of the Apennine Peninsula. The intercity Solaris buses will be powered by DAF MX-11 engines with an output of 240 kW, meeting the strict Euro 6 emission standards. The buses will be equipped with a modern monitoring system consisting of 5 cameras, which will provide observation of the interior, the second door, and the area behind the vehicle. Furthermore, the InterUrbino units will feature a passenger counting system and a voice announcement system. A total of 49 passengers will be able to travel on comfortable seats with integrated headrests. Efficient air conditioning will ensure comfortable conditions even on the hottest days. Larger luggage will be transported in 5.2 cubic meter compartments mounted under the vehicle floor, while passengers will be able to place hand luggage on shelves above the seats.
The contract with Cotral is another order for this vehicle model from the Italian market, but the first on such a large scale. To date, the Polish manufacturer has delivered 60 InterUrbino intercity buses to the Italian market. In total, over 500 vehicles from the Polish manufacturer are already operating on local roads. This is also one of the largest orders in the 20-year history of the company from Bolechowo near Poznań. It ranks second, just behind the 2009 delivery of 320 buses to Athens, thus surpassing other massive Solaris contracts, such as the production of 260 Urbino buses for Berlin or 225 city buses for Dubai.