In a significant victory for Czech industry, SOR Libchavy, a renowned bus manufacturer, has secured a lucrative contract to supply 110 new diesel buses to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. The Bratislava Transport Company (DPB) announced on Wednesday that the Czech firm emerged victorious in a tender, with a winning bid of €43.54 million (approximately 1.1 billion Czech crowns) excluding VAT.
The deal will see SOR Libchavy produce and deliver state-of-the-art, low-floor, three-axle city buses to Bratislava’s municipal enterprise. These 18.75-meter-long vehicles boast an impressive capacity of 177 passengers each. At €395,800 per bus (about 10 million Czech crowns), the investment underscores Bratislava’s commitment to modernizing its public transport fleet.
These buses are not just about capacity; they’re packed with cutting-edge safety features. Passengers and pedestrians alike will benefit from collision warning systems, while drivers will be aided by blind spot elimination technology. In a nod to 21st-century concerns, the vehicles even come equipped with cybersecurity measures and driver alertness monitoring systems.
The selection process was rigorous, considering factors beyond just the price tag. DPB evaluated operational costs related to energy consumption and emissions, as well as passenger comfort features like air conditioning performance. SOR Libchavy’s bid met all technical requirements and participation conditions, cementing their victory.
This isn’t SOR Libchavy’s first rodeo with DPB. The Czech company has a history of success in tenders issued by the Bratislava transport authority. In this instance, they outperformed their closest competitor, Turkish bus manufacturer Otokar, by offering a price point approximately one million euros lower.
As Bratislava looks to the future of its public transport, this deal represents more than just a business transaction. It’s a testament to the quality of Czech engineering and a boost for cross-border cooperation within Central Europe. With the flexibility to order buses based on financial capabilities and the promise of warranty checks and air conditioning servicing, this partnership between SOR Libchavy and DPB seems set to drive Bratislava’s public transport into a new era of efficiency and comfort.