city transport news:

On 7th October 2009 Minsk Automobile Plant introduced to the journalists the new model of the second generation bus MAZ 205. This is articulated fully low-floor bus of extremely big class, which is designed to carry the passengers on charged city lines. The model was introduced to general public during the international specialized exhibition of passenger transport “BUSWORLD EUROPE – 2009”, which was held on 16th – 21st October in Kortrijk (Belgium). Although the official press release says that the idea to create such bus was born only in March of 2008 and that “it took only about half a year to realize the project after first scheme”, we do think that MAZ 205 became quite self-consistent continuation of Minsk second generation city buses model line, which was started in 2005 by solo 12-meter MAZ 203, and the idea to create MAZ 205 came to the mind of bus branch constructors hardly later then prototype of MAZ 203 bus was assembled.

MAZ 205 (photomontage of JSC Minsk Automobile Plant)

The introduced bus is the longest of all passenger MAZ. It is 18,75 m long (more than 2 meters longer then the familiar articulated Ikarus 280 and almost a meter longer then the predecessor MAZ 105), and 2,55 m width. In the peak hours the bus can transport 175 passengers, including 39 sitting.

The new bus has a good ergonomics of driver’s working place, the dashboard is Siemens-VDO. Vision of the road meets all modern requirements in the field of bus construction. Taking into consideration the big length of the bus, to ensure safety during maneuvering, opening and closing doors, a prototype bus is equipped with video cameras, information from which comes on the screen, located on the driver’s working place. The prototype of MAZ 205 is equipped with environment-friendly engine Mercedes (Euro 5), which allows to offer a new bus even for the EU countries consumers. To ensure optimum microclimate for the prototype bus the sliding-type air vents are used, air conditioner installed. Heating during the cold season provides convector and cabin heaters. In the spacious cabin, which, though considerably "heavier" because of the bulk shaft of the engine, comfortable passenger seats are set. The machine is equipped with all necessary equipment for the passage of people with disabilities (there is a folding ramp, upholstered backrest to secure the wheelchair in the cabin of the bus).

The main advantages of urban bus of especially large class MAZ 205 compared with the predecessor MAZ 105 are: fully low-floor construction and an enlarged passenger capacity. In addition was kept a "pulling" layout where the engine is located in front of the bus. This solution allows to make the construction cheaper, abandoning the expensive imported node junction, to improve bus manageability on the slippery road sections, which is especially important for the operation of bus in urban environments. For many elements bus model MAZ 205 is unified with other machines of the second generation — MAZ 203 and MAZ 206, which are already quite familiar to Belarusian and foreign consumers.

According to the official press release, “MAZ 205 bus embodies the latest developments in the field of design, comfort, safety and economy. As for the design, many will enjoy the bus, here is difficult to find anything fault: the appearance is maintained in accordance with current trends of “bus mode”. Comfort will depend primarily on the configuration, which will order the immediate buyers.

Taking into account the fact that in Baranavichy has not yet appeared on the city bus lines even the second generation MAZ 203 bus, the first prototype of which was introduced back in 2005, is hard to expect the appearing of a new MAZ 205 in the city earlier than in the middle of the next years decade. /all news/

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