GAZ Group, a part of Basic Element, one of Russia’s largest diversified industrial groups, will supply 709 large and extra-large GOLAZ buses for the transportation of guests and athletes during the XXII Winter Olympic Games and XI Winter Paralympic Games 2014 in Sochi. The total value of the buses exceeds RUB 6 billion. They will operate on the trunk routes connecting Olympic facilities. The delivery of the buses will be completed by the end of 2013.
The bus supply contracts have been signed between Russian Buses – GAZ Group LLC, supplier for the 2014 Games, and state unitary enterprise Mostransavto, the main transport operator of the Olympics. The contracts include supply of 282 large GOLAZ-5251 ‘Voyage’ buses (including 150 special buses for persons with reduced mobility and wheelchair users), 370 extra-large GOLAZ-6228 buses (including 77 special buses) and 57 GOLAZ-52911 ‘Cruise’ coaches.
Commenting on the new contracts, Bo Andersson, President/CEO of GAZ Group, said: “Our status as Sochi 2014 Games supplier confirms GAZ Group’s leadership in renewal of the public transport fleet in Russia, including participation in the largest national projects. To meet customers’ demand at the international standards level, GAZ Group has invested more than RUB 1.3 billion to develop innovative bus models and to upgrade the manufacturing capacities of the bus plants. New versions of GOLAZ buses have been developed specifically for the Olympics. Their reliability, safety and numerous optional systems will provide maximum comfort for the contestants and guests of the Olympic Games.”
The versions of GOLAZ buses on Scania chassis were developed by GAZ Group in cooperation with Scania Rus, which is also a supplier for the Sochi 2014 Games. The new buses were tested on the Olympic routes in Sochi from February to July 2012. The test results served as a basis for defining Olympic passenger transport consumer properties and the development and layout of routes for the Games. In 2012-2013 GOLAZ buses have been used to support trial competitions at the Olympic facilities of Sochi.
GOLAZ buses will be manufactured based on Euro-4 and Euro-5 Scania chassis with robot-assisted Scania Opticruse gearboxes of a special configuration. The electronic stability program (ESP) and cruise control system help to maintain bus stability and drivability and regulate the set speed during long-distance trips under various conditions. The wheel arches of the buses are modified for possible installation of snow chains. The buses will be equipped with GLONASS navigators, English and Russian electronic passenger address systems (announcement machines), as well as Wi-Fi. Interior and road monitoring video cameras transmitting data to the control room panel will be installed in the driver’s cabin and passenger compartment. Such systems will guarantee safety of the passengers, real-time monitoring of vehicle traffic on the routes and rapid response to any changes in the passenger traffic flow.
The compartment of GOLAZ-5251 ‘Voyage’ bus is designed for 60 persons, including 53 passenger seats, GOLAZ-6228 – for 95 persons (including 63 passenger seats) and GOLAZ-52911 ‘Cruise’ – for 45 persons. The compartments are equipped with climate control systems, comfortable seats with folding tables, luggage racks with individual light and ventilation units. Buses designed for persons with reduced mobility and wheelchair users are equipped with cassette-type lifts, a special place for a wheelchair and driver call buttons.
For reference
GAZ Group’s plants have already cooperated with the Olympic Movement. A special configuration of GAZ-24 Volga was designed at GAZ plant specifically for the 1980 Olympics. Volga cars accompanied the Olympic Torch Relay and were the main means of transport for the officials. PAZ and LIAZ buses manufactured at Pavlovo and Likino bus plants were also used in the Games. They served as mobile laboratories for examination of athletes and mobile TV and radio broadcasting posts. PAZ and LIAZ buses were also used for transportation of Olympic teams and spectators.
