Ilsur Metshin gets acquainted with a new low-floor gas-powered bus LOTOS

Ilsur Metshin gets acquainted with a new low-floor gas-powered bus LOTOS

<p> Today, Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, got acquainted with a new low-floor gas-powered bus LOTOS 105 CNG of Tatarstan production. In addition to sustainability and large passenger capacity, it has a long service period – 10 years, as well as a comfortable interior. The head of the city took a ride on the new bus, assessed its characteristics and talked with the manufacturer. The company from Naberezhnye Chelny produces up to 450 buses a year and is preparing to present a new model in 2024. </p> <p> Yuri Shport, director of RariTEK Automobile Plant LLC, presented the bus to the head of the city. Together with Ilsur Metshin, they took a ride on the bus from the Batyr Judo Center to the Central Stadium. The director of the plant told the Mayor that LOTOS 105 CNG is designed for 92 people, including 25-27 seats. Folding seats allow to save space when the bus is fully loaded. The interior of the bus is comfortable and safe – there are USB sockets, air conditioners, noise insulation, driver call buttons, rubber covers on the handrails for an anti-slip effect, and the moving elements of the doors in a special box. Special attention in the development of the model is paid to disabled people. In the center of the bus there is a place for a wheelchaired passenger. Yuri Shport noted that when the doors are opened, the bus automatically tilts, and there is a folding ramp (a flat platform) for access for disabled people. </p> <p> The service period of the bus is 10 years, in case of recommended maintenance, major overhaul will be required only after 1 million km. “The bus runs on methane, one gas cylinder is enough to travel 450-500 km,”- the Yuri Shport said. </p> <p> During the ride, Ilsur Metshin, in addition to the advantages of the new model, noted shortcomings, in particular, the bus is not completely low-floor, in addition, it does not have a third door to enter the salon. According to the director of the plant, the buses will be used in Moscow, Perm, Arkhangelsk, Ufa, Yaroslavl and other cities. </p> <p> LOTOS 105 CNG is produced in Naberezhnye Chelny, and many components are purchased in Tatarstan. Yuri Shport shared that the plant produces up to 450 buses annually, in 2024 the plant's management plans to expand production to 700 vehicles and start producing a new 12-meter bus with three doors. “We refused to use the semi–low-floor buses in Kazan. We want to see your new 12-meter bus. Please take into account our recommendations,”- the Mayor said. </p> <p> “When we started the transport reform in Kazan in 2007, the whole country produced 300 buses a year, and now you produce 450 vehicles at your plant. You support Tatarstan industry,”- Ilsur Metshin said in conclusion. </p> <p> The event was also attended by Deputy Head of the Executive Committee Ildar Shakirov, Chairman of the Transport Committee Amir Safin, Deputy of the Tatarstan State Council Albert Mukhametshin, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of Tatarstan Rodion Karpov. </p> <p> A total of 732 buses are operated on city routes in Kazan. In 2022, this public transport was most often used by citizens– buses account for almost 70% of traffic and served more than 153.4 million passengers. </p>

2023-04-11T16:54:00+0300