ISTANBUL, Turkey, February 2022 - IETT General Directorate, one of the subsidiaries of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB), has purchased 60 AKIA LF25 Metrobuses equipped with Allison fully automatic transmission for the metrobus line (BRT). AKIA LF25 Metrobus, which is one of the vehicles with the highest passenger capacity in the world and manufactured in Bursa, is equipped with Allison T525R fully automatic transmission.

AKIA offers metrobuses produced in Turkey as a solution for public transportation in cities with high traffic density with Allison T525R fully automatic transmission. The 25 m long AKIA Metrobus, which consists of three cabins, draws attention with its high maneuverability, double-sided doors, powerful and high torque producing Euro 6 emission engine and dual axle drive.

As of the first quarter of 2022, the metrobuses will be delivered to IETT General Directorate and will increase the passenger capacity of the existing Metrobus line. Instead of the mostly single-articulated and low-capacity vehicles used in the Istanbul Metrobus line, it is aimed to use double-articulated, high passenger carrying capacity domestic metrobus vehicles in Turkey and the world, especially in Istanbul. Since the number of passengers carried in a vehicle will increase with AKIA Metrobus, the need for the number of metrobuses will be reduced, and thus the city's traffic density and noise level from vehicles will also be reduced. Thus, fuel savings will be achieved and city exhaust emission values will be improved.

Remzi Baka, General Manager of AKIA, said: "As AKIA, we have developed our first Metrobus produced in Turkey with the goal of the Public Transportation system of the future as a solution to the traffic congestion of growing cities and metropolises. Our vehicle provides a modern look, fast and comfortable public transportation service to cities and can be perfectly integrated into all existing lines and operating services. AKIA Metrobus is equipped with innovative and high-tech equipment in terms of bus capability, tram capacity, comfort and safety of drivers and passengers. With its high passenger carrying capacity, we offer a new vision to the public transportation sector with fewer vehicles, less environmental pollution and less infrastructure costs."

'Allison T525R offers high torque capacity in bus applications'

AKIA LF25 Metrobus will transfer the power of Mercedes OM471, which produces 510 hp 2500Nm torque, to the wheels with Allison T525R fully automatic transmission.

Remzi Baka said: "Our Metrobus vehicle stands at a very special point in its class with its passenger capacity, technical features and equipment. We were able to meet the torque power we needed in all road conditions in the most ideal way with the Allison T525R transmission with retarder."

AKIA LF25 Metrobuses equipped with Allison fully automatic transmission, designed in accordance with European regulations and with the structure and features that can meet all the needs of municipalities, are also planned to be produced in Turkey and offered for sale in European countries.

'High performance and low operating costs for bus operators'

Equipped with Euro 6 Mercedes engine and Allison T525R fully automatic transmission, AKIA Metrobus offers many solutions for public transportation in cities while taking fuel savings into consideration. Remzi Baka said: "Public transportation companies are very selective about operating costs as well as purchasing and infrastructure costs. For this reason, we managed to minimize both passenger transportation costs and maintenance-repair costs in our metrobus vehicle with the contribution of Allison fully automatic transmission equipment."

Burak Kazar, Allison Transmission Turkey Sales Manager, said; "As Allison Transmission, we offer a wide range of fully automatic transmissions for city and intercity buses from 7 meters to 27 meters. Turkey plays a very important role in bus production all over the world. Turkish OEMs are expanding their markets every day and achieving success in various European countries. AKIA will increase its market share with the different segment it has entered with the LF25 Metrobus vehicle, which it produced by achieving a first."