Translated by: Patricia Ryan (Linkedin)

Last Transmilenio bidding processes in Bogotá were for a total of 55 routes involving 1295 vehicles where the electric technology structured proposals received an additional scoring as well as those proposals considering the national component.

Colombia only has two body car companies in this segment: Superpolo and Busscar.

The first electric units incorporated to the public transport were 13 with Yutong chassis and assembled by Superpolo.

Then, 406 units adjudicated in the last bidding process are with BYD chassis and Superpolo body car which will circulate in Fontibón III and Fontibón V.

Menwhile, 596 units for UF USME II, Fontibón IV and Perdomo II will also belong to the Chinesse giant BYD, but in this case with body car Busscar.

Regarding this experience, James Posada, Superpolo general manager, says: “We work hard together with the State and operators to give 10 points to whom chose local manufacture. In spite of not being representative in the total, as the decisions of these processes are so hard, these points make the difference”.

In this opportunity all bidders opted for electric technology and local assembly, opposing to previous steps which was decided to import them already assembled.

“It is a huge employment source. We consider extending the plant to comply with delivery times, we should hire the double of operative staff”, he says in advance to Portal Movilidad.

It is important to remember Suba Centro II, Suba Centro V and  San Cristóbal are still pending. Regarding this, Posadas points out: “We wait for Transmilenio decision, even for new bidding processes or deals with current suppliers. We want to keep offering the product”.

It was opted for buses of 50 and 80 passengers, busetón and pradon respectively (BRT). The first is about 9,7 meters and the second of almost 12 meters which is still pending to be defined with BYD.

Considering requirements, Juan Carlos Santamaria, Superpolo Engineering MAnager, explains: “They demand to comply with the quantity of passengers with the minor length possible so that the entrance and exit angles are the biggest possible”.

The routes to be assigned to the electric buses have a slope up to 15%.

Regarding this topic, he says: “The bus should have the power to go up a 25% slope along 500 meters; it is a high demand also for the European ruling which demands for 22%. There are abrupt changes and so the manufacturer of the chassis works in the suspension and height”.

Translated by: Patricia Ryan (Linkedin)

Contact: inglesryan@hotmail.com – +5491157520278

Translated by: Patricia Ryan