Otokar's 'Safe Bus', which Reduces the Risk of Infection with the Covid-19 Virus, Hit the Road in Izmir

Turkey's leading bus manufacturer Otokar developed 'Safe Bus' against the Covid-19 threat. Otokar's articulated KENT bus is equipped with systems that will minimize the risk of contamination in public transportation. 'Safe Bus' started to host its passengers for the first time in the fleet of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality.

Otokar, one of the Koç Group companies, which has achieved many innovations in areas such as alternative fuel vehicles, smart cities and safe transportation systems with its R&D investments totaling 1.1 billion TL in the last 10 years, is making a difference in public transportation during the pandemic period with its Safe Bus. Safe Bus, developed to minimize the threat of Covid-19 contamination in urban public transportation, hit the road for the first time on the Konak - Bus Terminal line No. 302 in Izmir.

Four Systems Together for the First Time in the World

Stating that the development of Safe Bus started with the emergence of Covid-19 in our country, which went beyond a global health crisis, Otokar General Manager Serdar Görgüç said; "We are happy to provide a safer public transportation experience with 'Safe Bus' to both our citizens and our bus captains, who have continued to work with great devotion during the pandemic period we are in. We have implemented 4 different systems on the Kent Articulated for the first time to be used in urban public transportation. We aim to minimize the anxiety in transportation and the threat of Covid-19 contamination. For the first time in the world, a bus in which these four systems are used together has started to serve in urban transportation. 'Safe Bus' can disinfect itself; it offers a safe travel opportunity with its photocatalytic system. It can measure the temperature of passengers, check their masks, and further protects the driver against the risk of infection with the new generation driver's cabin. Safe Bus started to serve in the fleet of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality for the first time. The systems, which will be offered as an option in our mass production vehicles from today, will be available on buses in use upon request. "It will also be integrated after minor adjustments."

It Disinfects Itself

By anticipating the needs in the normalization process, Otokar prevents reservations in public transportation with new generation systems. Thanks to the Automatic Disinfection System in Otokar's Safe Bus, the vehicle disinfects itself with a single button. When vehicle captains return to the garage after their trip, they can activate the automatic disinfectant spraying system with a single button, thanks to a special software added to the vehicle. The high-pressure automatic disinfectant spray system, which is activated within seconds, destroys viruses and bacteria on the interior surface of the vehicle. The procedure, which is recommended to be repeated every evening, takes only 3 minutes.

Photocatalytic System for Air Conditioning Units

During the pandemic period, which coincides with the summer months, preventing the spread of the virus through air conditioning becomes important. In order to offer a spacious transportation opportunity, Otokar included a photocatalytic system in the air conditioning units of Safe Bus. The photocatalytic system breaks down airborne organic molecules such as viruses and bacteria with hydroxyls and turns them into harmless water vapor and carbon dioxide. This system, which imitates the photosynthesis mechanism in plants, is integrated into air conditioners. Tungsten trioxide (TiO3) destroys harmful organic substances with the help of light and turns them into water and carbon dioxide along with the air conditioner, rendering them harmless. This system, which has the ability to kill viruses within 60 minutes while the vehicle is driving, constantly disinfects the air inside the bus.

Measures Passengers' Temperatures and Checks Their Masks

Otokar engineers, who consider all the details for a safe transportation, make the job of the vehicle captain easier with the new generation warning systems in the Safe Bus and minimize the anxiety of the passengers about the risk of contamination. The system integrated into the bus measures the temperature of passengers boarding from the front door. If the passenger has a fever, the system gives an audible and red light warning to the driver. The same system warns the driver with a light notification if the passenger does not have a mask.

A New Era in the Driver Cabin

Otokar also protects the captains who continue to work with great devotion to ensure that transportation is not disrupted all over Turkey. The new generation driver's cabin designed by Otokar prevents passengers from direct contact with the driver while boarding the bus or while driving. The transmission of viruses and bacteria is limited by the cabin surrounded by high glass. The new driver's cabin is produced in accordance with the ECE R107, R46, R118, R43 and R80 directives and regulations of the European Union, which define standards in areas such as safety, security and structure.

The First Safe Bus is on the Streets of Izmir

Otokar's first Safe Bus Kent Articulated started to serve on the Konak - Bus Terminal line No. 302 in Izmir Metropolitan Municipality. These systems are newly produced Otokar It will be offered as an option feature on buses. These systems can also be integrated into existing buses according to customer demands. Users can purchase the systems, which will pioneer the new era in transportation, as a package or separately.