(^26) ABC May 2018 busnews.com.au
COVERSTORY NEW PRODUCT
warning and avoidance systems should
beparforbustransportationsooner
rather than later – if not right now.
That’s without mandatory government
regulation – which, like drifting
continental shelves, usually moves slow
enough as it is.
MEET THE SETRA
Toutedasthesuccessorto,“theclear
market leader in the double-decker coach
segment”–theSetraS431DT–itisthe
first model facelift after nearly 15 years
andoffers,“upto10percentfuelsavings
in comparison to the previous model,”
accordingtoDaimler.
With space for more than 80
passengers, it is ideal for busy long-haul
routes. And with its emergency brake
system and pedestrian recognition
and sensors monitoring the flanks and
blindspots, it marks a world premiere
for a bus.
Hartmut Schick, head of Daimler Buses
said: “The Setra double-decker is the
biggest and most comfortable touring
coach from Daimler Buses and the clear
market leader in its segment. No other
coach is as fuel-efficient, flexible and safe
as the new two-decker premium touring
coach from our EvoBus plant in Neu-Ulm.”
The EvoBus plant in Neu-Ulm is Daimler
Buses’ competence centre for touring
... the world’s first bus to be fitted with an
emergency brake system with obstacle
and pedestrian recognition – and
Sideguard Assist.
coaches. The company is continuously
investing in the development of new
products and in its locations, it says.
Between 2013 and 2017, more than 50
million euros were invested in the Neu-
Ulm plant alone. Incidentally, Daimler
Buses has invested a total of around 400
million euros in the development and
production of the new-generation touring
coaches, the company says.
The original Setra S 431 DT has sold
more than 2300 units since its launch in
- Interestingly, according to internal
Daimler surveys, its customers include
many long-haul bus operators – and
about three quarters of all double-deckers
operating long-haul routes are Setras.
In Germany, one in two long-haul buses
features the Mercedes-Benz or Setra logo,
it’s claimed.
“It demonstrates yet again the
technological expertise and ingenuity
that make Daimler Buses such a success
worldwide. I am certain that our new
double-decker will build directly on the
success of its predecessor,” stated Schick.
In terms of fuel consumption, the new
decker is said to be up to 10 per cent
more fuel efficient due to improved
aerodynamics, which equates to a thirst