Articulated vehicles started operating in the first BRT corridor in the “Carioca” city and use new concepts of design, comfort and efficiency
Caxias do Sul, Brazil, May 22nd, 2012 – As of yesterday, May 21st, 49 Marcopolo Viale BRT buses, one of the most modern produced in Brazil, started operating on the route between Recreio dos Bandeirantes and Barra da Tijuca, in Rio de Janeiro. The new vehicles were purchased by Auto Viação Jabur Ltda., and will serve the new Transoeste system, BRT corridor, exclusive and priority lanes for buses, of the “Carioca” capital.
Developed for use in advanced urban and commuter public transportation systems in major urban centers, Marcopolo Viale BRT is the most advanced bus ever produced in Brazil and consumed two years of research and development. The articulated version is 19 meters long, has the capacity of transporting up to 145 passengers, and was conceived with unique concepts of design, ergonomics, comfort, safety and efficiency.
According to Paulo Corso, Marcopolo director of commercial operations for the Brazilian market, this is the first BRT system operating in Brazil, meeting all modern concepts, with integration to different transport systems, such as the subway, in anticipation for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. “We are very proud to provide our modern bus to the most advanced BRT system operating in the country. It is an example to be followed by other Brazilian cities, because of the important benefits and advantages offered to citizens and, most of all, to urban mobility”, emphasizes Paulo Corso.
The new 49 Marcopolo Viale BRT buses have modern design and are mounted on a Mercedes-Benz chassis. The vehicle has exclusive LED highlighting head and taillights, which provide better lighting and reinforce brand identity. It is also the first urban bus in the Brazilian market to have Daytime Running Light, device for automatic headlight illumination even in daylight.
Internal comfort
Internally, the Viale BRT offers extra comfort, ergonomics and safety. The greater internal width, combined with the seat configuration, offers greater free area and facilitates the passenger circulation, for a more convenient and comfortable travel. The internal height was also increased, allowing the inclusion of efficient air ducts, speakers and ample space for advertisement on upper side.
The design of the Viale BRT is that of a robust and extremely reliable vehicle, an impression that people who use it have, and of excellent cost-benefit ratio, attribute recognized by the business sector of urban public transportation. Other important features are cost reduction, product sustainability, practicality, and embedded technology.
In order to achieve the goal of adding value to bus trips, regardless of route or duration, and providing operational gains for entrepreneurs, the Viale BRT can be offered with GPS, digital TV, wireless internet, security cameras, on-board computer, as well as audiovisual stop indication systems and fleet management (on a line-to-line basis).
Ideal for urban transportation, the Viale has automatic transmission and a security system that prevents the bus from moving with its doors open. The vehicle meets all requirements of the boarding platform systems existing in the country, with an option of door with 1,100 mm clearance in front of the front wheel and raised floor, adapted to accessibility.
Photo credits: Gelson Mello da Costa