A delegation from the South American branch of Marcopolo and Volvo Bus Latin America visited Tower Transit in October to find out more about the UK operator’s hybrid, hydrogen fuel cell and virtual electric bus fleet.

Group of people standing in front of two busses.

The delegates were shown how Tower Transit’s bus routes are controlled and managed to meet the service specifications of Transport for London (TfL). The 45 visitors tied in their visit to Tower Transit’s Lea Interchange depot with a visit to the Busworld Europe exhibition, held in Brussels.

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Satnam Cheema, Group Engineering Director at Tower Transit, said: “Tower Transit has always engaged with manufacturers to provide a better understanding of the context in which their vehicles are used. The aim is to inform others about the design of buses, and how they are intuitive and fit for the environment. We were glad to have an opportunity to provide that context to one of the world’s biggest body builders.”

red-bus

Tower Transit is a corporate partner of SOE and is engaged in several collaborative projects through its operations in the UK and Singapore. Many of its workshops have been awarded IRTE Workshop Accreditation and its technicians the irtec licence.

Daniel Moir, SOE Chief Operating Officer, said: “Tower Transit is an organisation that shares our values of safety and best practice in road transport through its bus operations. We are proud to be able to work with a corporate partner that consistently moves the industry forward and one that has become a reference point for many overseas companies exploring the opportunities of alternative fuel vehicles.”

One of the biggest bus builders in the world, Marcopolo exports its wide range of coaches to more than 60 countries worldwide. The Brazilian manufacturer has produced more than 430,000 vehicles and has been operating in the international market for almost 60 years.

Rodrigo O. Pikussa, Bus Business Director Brasil, Marcopolo S.A, said: “It was extremely constructive for our sales team to understand the different types of vehicles and propulsion technologies from an operator’s point of view and to see first-hand the high level of organisation and quality of the Tower Transit operations.”

Standing outside a bus

Sales Regional Manager at Volvo Bus Latin America, Marco Portes, said: “Tower Transit in London is a world reference point in efficiency, and it was valuable for Volvo Bus Latin America to better understand the demands of its operations and the unique challenges that come with operating in London. It has inspired us to develop creative solutions for our region, where bus transport companies are also highly demanding.”

The delegation moved on to the Busworld Europe exhibition before visiting Volvo in Sweden, prior to their departure.