Colombiabus Newsroom – Portal Movilidad

THE SPECIFICATIONS WILL BE PUBLISHED IN BRIL

A few months ago, the MiBus system in Panama reported that it had approval to buy 35 electric midibuses and an additional 160 powered by diesel or natural gas. The process had some delays, following the recommendations of the Inter-American Development Bank and C40 Cities who carried out additional analyzes of technical, operational and financial feasibility that would leave the door open to incorporate more electric buses.

The results of these studies include recommendations such as evaluating a new scenario where medium and large units are combined based on the fact that, in some routes where they would be inserted, the medium ones would not be so profitable due to autonomy. The studies analyzed the operation with large buses and electric midis, in addition to buses with internal combustion engines.

“The acquisition will probably be in phases, for example 100 in the first and about 100 or 50 in a second and third stage. That is one of the details to be defined, but we are sure that it will be more than 35”. Indicated Luis Camapana, General Manager of MiBus

Another key issue is the financial scheme to guarantee the purchase of the buses, which must be defined for the presentation of the bidding conditions in April. It seeks to include acquisition and maintenance, or with an operating lease where MiBus continues as manager, and the contractor is in charge of supporting the buses in exchange for their monthly payment.

The charging infrastructure must be in charge of whoever provides the buses, responding for the electrical installations and chargers in a place that MiBus must assign. It should be remembered that the company is operating two 100% electric buses provided by BYD to evaluate the operation and performance of the units.