Otokar, Türkiye's leading bus manufacturer, has developed a 'Safe Bus' to combat the Covid-19 threat. Otokar's articulated KENT bus is equipped with systems that will minimize the risk of transmission in public transportation.
The 'Safe Bus' against the pandemic has started welcoming passengers for the first time in the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality fleet.
Otokar, a Koç Group company that has made numerous innovations in fields such as alternative fuel vehicles, smart cities, and safe transportation systems with its R&D investments totaling 1.1 billion TL in the last 10 years, is making a difference in public transportation during the pandemic with its Safe Bus. Developed to minimize the threat of Covid-19 transmission in urban public transportation, the Safe Bus made its debut on the 302 Konak – Bus Terminal line in İzmir.
For the first time in the world, four systems together.
Stating that the development of the Safe Bus began with the appearance of Covid-19 in our country, which went beyond a global health crisis, Otokar General Manager Serdar Görgüç; “During this pandemic period, we are pleased to provide a safer public transportation experience with the 'Safe Bus' for both our citizens and our bus drivers who have continued their work with great dedication. We aim to minimize anxiety and the threat of Covid-19 transmission in transportation with four different systems, implemented for the first time on the Kent Articulated bus for use in urban public transportation. For the first time in the world, a bus using these four systems together has started service in urban transportation. The 'Safe Bus' can self-disinfect; offers a safe travel experience with a photocatalytic system; measures the temperature of passengers and checks for masks; and provides greater protection for the driver against the risk of infection with its new generation driver's cabin. The Safe Bus has started service for the first time in the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality fleet. From today onwards, these systems, which will be offered as an option in our mass-produced vehicles, will also be integrated into buses currently in use after minor modifications, if requested,‘ the statement said.
It disinfects itself.
Anticipating the needs of the normalization process, Otokar is addressing concerns in public transportation with new generation systems. Thanks to the Automatic Disinfection System in Otokar's Safe Bus, the vehicle disinfects itself with a single button press. After completing their journeys and returning to the garage, drivers can activate the automatic disinfectant spraying system with a single button press thanks to special software added to the vehicle. The high-pressure automatic disinfectant spraying system, which activates in seconds, eliminates viruses and bacteria on the vehicle's interior surfaces. The process, which is recommended to be repeated every evening, takes only 3 minutes.
Photocatalytic systems for air conditioning units.
During the pandemic, which coincided with the summer months, preventing the spread of viruses through air conditioning became crucial. To provide a comfortable travel experience, Otokar incorporated a photocatalytic system into the air conditioning units of its Safe Bus. The photocatalytic system breaks down organic molecules such as viruses and bacteria that can be carried through the air using hydroxyls, converting them into harmless water vapor and carbon dioxide. This system, which mimics the photosynthesis mechanism in plants, is integrated into the air conditioners. Tungsten trioxide (TiO3), with the help of light, destroys harmful organic substances, converting them into water and carbon dioxide along with the air conditioning water, rendering them harmless. Capable of killing viruses within 60 minutes while the vehicle is in motion, this system continuously disinfects the air inside the bus.
They are measuring the passengers' temperature and checking their masks.
Otokar engineers, who have considered every detail down to the finest point for safe transportation, are making the driver's job easier and minimizing passengers' anxiety about the risk of infection with new generation warning systems in the Safe Bus. The system integrated into the bus measures the temperature of passengers boarding from the front door. If a passenger has a fever, the system gives the driver an audible and red light warning. The same system also warns the driver with a light notification if a passenger is not wearing a mask.
A new era in the driver's cabin.
Otokar is also protecting the drivers who continue to work with great dedication to ensure uninterrupted transportation throughout Türkiye. Otokar's newly designed driver's cabin prevents direct contact between passengers and the driver when boarding the bus or during the journey. The cabin, surrounded by high-rise windows, limits the transmission of viruses and bacteria. The new driver's cabin is manufactured in accordance with the ECE R107, R46, R118, R43, and R80 directives and regulations of the European Union, which define standards in areas such as safety, security, and construction.
The first safe bus hits the streets of Izmir.
Otokar's first Safe Bus, the Kent Articulated Bus, has begun service on the 302 Konak – Bus Terminal line of the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality. These systems will be offered as optional features on newly manufactured Otokar buses. They can also be integrated into buses currently in service, according to customer demand. Users can purchase these systems, which will pioneer a new era in transportation, as a package or separately.
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