A prototype of the new school bus model is planned to be delivered to the Vitebsk region in the spring of 2016
An experimental sample of a new school bus model is planned to be delivered to the Vitebsk region in the spring of 2016. This was announced by the Chairman of the Board of OJSC "Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus" Sergey Rumas.
"The Development Bank has taken the initiative to finance the development of a fundamentally new school bus model. Currently, MAZ designers are working on it. We expect that by the spring of 2016, the experimental sample, which will be delivered to the Vitebsk region, will be ready," he said.
"I want to remind you that we purchase buses through a tender, which was won by MAZ this year. For example, last year some of the buses were of Russian production. We expect that by September 1, 2017, new models will participate in the tender from MAZ, which will be able to prove themselves well on rural dirt roads," Sergey Rumas emphasized. The General Director of Minsk Automobile Plant, Dmitry Katerinich, noted that the current school bus models were adapted for transporting children. "The new model is being developed specifically for schoolchildren and will feature enhanced off-road capability," he explained.
Today, 21 school buses were handed over to the Education Departments of the Mogilev and Brest Regional Executive Committees. This took place within the framework of the "School Bus" program implemented by the Development Bank, which provides for the purchase of at least 300 specially equipped school buses between 2013 and 2017 using the bank's funds. "In three years, we have already supplied over 130 buses to the regions. All 60 buses planned for this year will be delivered to consumers within the first half of September. We do not limit our work to just supplying buses. We monitor their operation in all regions of Belarus. All comments, both positive and negative, are passed on to MAZ. It is worth noting that the plant listens to them and promptly eliminates shortcomings," Sergey Rumas emphasized.
In addition, the Chairman of the Board of the Development Bank reported that buses for children with disabilities will be ordered next year. "We had such requests this year, but we did not satisfy them. Next year, we plan to supply such buses to the regions," the Chairman of the Board of the Development Bank noted.
The main advantages of the MAZ school bus include additional safety systems for children and the driver, as well as the use of air suspension in its construction. The cabin has 22 seats. All of them are equipped with seat belts. The bus is equipped with flashing beacons, an external public address system, and a retractable step. The vehicle is also equipped with a speed limiter system up to 60 km/h and is marked with the special inscription "School Bus".
JSC "Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus" is a specialized financial institution founded by the Council of Ministers and the National Bank of Belarus. Among the main tasks set for the bank is the financing of long-term and capital-intensive investment projects within the framework of state programs and measures.