Agrale recently delivered the first eight units of a total 161 new city buses acquired by ETIB, a passenger transport operator of the Bogota Integrated Public Transportation System (SITP), in Colombia. The new Agrale MA 8.7 Euro V model buses will be used in the feeder lines of TransMilenio, a system of exclusive busways with rapid boarding and alighting through platforms that are at the same height as bus floors, and off-board fare collection.

According to Flavio Crosa, sales director of Agrale, the supply of new buses is the result of the brand’s excellent reputation for high quality and reliability in Colombia, as well as the results delivered by the vehicles in rigorous tests carried out by ETIB. “The MA 8.7 model proved its robustness, versatility and operational cost-effectiveness in tests conducted by ETIB. It is very important for Agrale to have its buses transport passengers in one of the world’s most renowned Bus Rapid Transit systems," he said. He also highlighted the significant work carried out by distributor Navitrans with the SITP operators, as well as their qualified after-sales service in the 15 most important cities of the country.

The MA 8.7 chassis is recommended for urban operations in trunk and short-distance intercity lines, with its key differentials being the low operating cost, easy maintenance, better passenger accessibility and the multifunctionality of its configuration options. With a differentiated size and GVWR of 8,700 kg, the model enables higher speed than conventional buses, versatile assembly, as well as greater comfort and safety.

The highlight of the Agrale MA 8.7 chassis is its On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) system, a module that manages the level of pollutant emissions, thus ensuring compliance with law and protecting the environment. It also helps detects flaws through electronic signals on the dashboard, thus facilitating maintenance and speeding up technical assistance.

Agrale MA 8.7 is equipped with a Cummins ISF 3.8 Euro V engine, with 152 HP at 2600 rpm, torque of 450 Nm at 1100 to 1900 rpm, a five-speed EATON transmission, power steering, ABS system and a 150-liter fuel tank. It also has a dashboard with digital display and a complete on-board computer that communicates with all of the vehicle's electronic modules, provides important information to the driver, such as immediate and average consumption, and consumption per 100-km, as well as tank fuel level and autonomy, among others.