100 NEOPLAN Skyliner coaches for Rome
The Rome-based transport company Cotral Spa and MAN Truck & Bus Italia have signed a framework agreement for the delivery of 100 NEOPLAN Skyliner coaches over the next four years.
The class II double-deckers – approved for use on inter-city routes – will in future strengthen the public transport fleet in Rome where the Cotral Spa headquarters are located. Cotral’s managing director, Arrigo Giana, signed the relevant master agreement for 100 NEOPLAN Skyliner coaches in mid-October at MAN Truck & Bus Italia. Delivery of the first units is scheduled to begin at the end of this year.
The contract, which is the largest ever entered into for this type of bus in Italy, confirms the delivery of the 90-seat, long-haul version of the double-decker, which includes a protected driver’s cab and CCTV. High performance and low emissions are guaranteed thanks to the proven driveline, which consists of the 500 hp (368 kW) MAN D26 six-cylinder engine together with the MAN TipMatic 12-speed automated gearbox.
“We are very pleased with the outcome of the tender,” said Cotral’s managing director, Arrigo Giana, at the contract signing. “We anticipate that this fruitful partnership with MAN will be an asset to our business, helping us to increase the quality of our service and therefore create added value for our customers.” “Passengers will value the same high level of comfort that these vehicles guarantee as is found in the tourism sector,” promised Franco Pedrotti, Manager Sales and Bus Products at MAN Truck & Bus Italia.
The service package represents a further important part of the contract. A maintenance contact was agreed for all the vehicles for the next ten years, which takes advantage of the network of service centres in and around Rome, ensuring the fleet remains fully available.