Sollers Ford will produce 362 school buses based on Ford Transit for the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia. The deliveries of Ford Transit buses will cover 50 regions of Russia and is expected by November 30 of this year. Buses for 14 and 21 seats will be delivered to the regions in the Standard and North modifications.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia purchased 362 school buses based on Ford Transit in order to renew the school bus fleet in the regions. Ford school buses are designed to carry 21 students and 1 attendant or 14 students and 1 attendant.
A batch of 46 buses will be made in the North configuration for the regions with colder climate. This modification features improved thermal insulation, and has dependent and autonomous interior higher-power heaters.
The 21-seater school bus is a special version based on the long wheelbase Ford Transit, rear-wheel drive, and powered by a 2.2L Duratorq TDCi 136 hp diesel engine paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. The 14-seater school bus is based on a mid-wheelbase, have front-wheel drive and 125 hp engine.
Ford Transit buses are designed and manufactured with due account taken of all requirements of technical regulations, which guarantee the safe transportation of children. The buses are painted yellow, bear the inscription “CHILDREN” and have a speed limiter to 60 km/h.