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By 2010, the Brussels transport operator STIB/MIVB will have added 189 Van Hool buses to its fleet. All of the vehicles will be fitted with DIWA.5 transmissions. With this order, the operator will systematically modernize its fleet consisting of a total of 621 buses.
Four years ago, the Société des Transports Intercommunaux de Bruxelles, or STIB in short (MIVB is the Flemish version of this abbreviation) purchased 127 new A 330 buses from Van Hool. These were delivered between 2006 and 2007. Being very satisfied with the vehicles and the chosen drive system, the operator has now ordered another 189 of these same buses with DIWA.5 transmissions.
In the Brussels region, STIB/MIVB provides public transport services for approximately 1.1 million people over an area covering 241.5 square kilometers. Apart from serving 50 bus routes and 17 night buses, the Brussels transport operator also runs three metros and 20 tram lines. In 2008 alone, STIB/ MIVB transported 285.8 million people.
The operator attaches great importance to new, modern vehicle technology, quality and reliability. The modern DIWA.5 transmission ensures high driving comfort for the new city buses. Additionally, appealing aesthetics are aimed at increasing the attractiveness of public transport. This strategy has proved to be successful: between 1999 and 2007, STIB/MIVB was able to increase its passenger numbers by 70 percent. The 12 meter long A 330 low-floor buses have two wide opening doors and large panoramic windows. They offer room for a maximum of 110 seated or standing passengers. Among the special features of some of the vehicles are lifting and lowering devices, as well as electrically operated wheelchair ramps. All of the 189 vehicles are driven by MAN diesel engines that meet the new EEV norm (Enhanced Environmentally-friendly Vehicles). This norm will be the new EU standard in October 2009.
Voith Turbo (voithturbo.com), the specialist for hydrodynamic drive, coupling and braking systems for road, rail and industrial applications, as well as for ship propulsion systems, is a Group Division of Voith AG.
Voith (voith.com) is setting the standard in the paper, energy, mobility, and service markets. Established on January 1, 1867, Voith is now one of the largest family-owned businesses in Europe, with 43 000 employees, 4.9 billion euro in sales, and over 290 locations worldwide.
Voith is an official partner of the initiative "Germany – Land of Ideas".
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niklas.weidert[.]voith.com 
