Citybuses provide the highest proportion of public transport systems in Istanbul. For service in the metropolis on two continents, IETT Istanbul, Turkey's largest transport operator, has ordered 750 new buses. All of them will be fitted with the proven Voith DIWA.5 automatic transmission. The buses in the Turkish capital have to cope with enormous demands: high traffic density, congestion as well as stop-start traffic are the order of the day. To ensure that passengers can travel even more comfortably and economically, IETT has purchased a total of 750 low-floor buses from the Turkish manufacturer Otokar. With its order to Voith, Otokar once again decides in favor of the DIWA.5 automatic transmission. Voith delivered the first 150 transmissions by the end of 2012, and the first buses will enter service shortly afterwards. They will operate in all parts of the city and also on routes across the Bosporus bridges. IETT places great importance on maximum accessibility for disabled passengers. The twelve-meter Kent buses with three doors allow stepless entry for all commuters. Vehicle availability is another decisive factor for Istanbul Transport. The local Voith service organization will ensure trouble-free application of the transmissions.

Partnership between Otokar and Voith Strengthened

Voith Turbo and Otokar have formed a strategic partnership, which has been in place since 2009. The bus manufacturer has been relying on Voith DIWA for many years - an example is the recent transmission order for 100 citybuses in Izmir. After all, DIWA automatics have been developed specifically for operation on routes with numerous stops and heavy traffic.  The proven DIWA power-split principle allows smooth acceleration across a speed range where other transmissions need to shift two to three times. This means up to 50% fewer gearshifts, resulting in less wear and higher driving comfort. The transmission concept is supplemented by the topography-dependent gear shifting program SensoTop. Voith DIWA transmissions are supplied to OEMs and operate on multiple bus brands in the South Africa market.