New Karsan Atak Buses Equipped with Allison Fully Automatic Transmissions Bring Comfort to Mersin's Transportation

Mersin Metropolitan Municipality has upgraded and expanded its fleet with 67 Karsan Atak buses featuring Allison fully automatic transmissions.

MERSİN, Turkey, August 10, 2022 - Karsan, which won Mersin Metropolitan Municipality's midibus tender to modernize its public transportation fleet in 2021, has delivered all 67 diesel-powered Atak buses equipped with Allison fully automatic transmissions. Ninety nine percent of Mersin Metropolitan Municipality's fleet consists of fully automatic vehicles, and now the municipality is to increase the quality of city transportation services with its 8 meter-long buses equipped with Allison T 2100™ transmissions.

"We have added 67 diesel-powered, 8 meter long Karsan Atak buses for rural areas and for routes with narrow streets. 29 of these buses will serve downtown Tarsus, 12 in rural Tarsus and the remaining 26 in other rural districts of Mersin," said Ersan Topçuoğlu, Head of Transportation Department, Mersin Metropolitan Municipality. "Like the rest of our fleet, we opted for fully automatic transmissions for these buses in support of our goal to increase operational efficiency through the comfort of drivers and passengers."

The buses are equipped with a 4.5-liter FPT brand NEF4 turbodiesel producing 186 horsepower and 680 Nm of torque, Euro VI engine and Allison T 2100 fully automatic transmission. Thanks to the Continuous Power Technology™ with torque converter, Allison transmissions smoothly multiply engine torque allowing more power to be delivered to the wheels. Therefore, full-power shifts and superior acceleration become possible. In contrast to manual and automated manual transmissions (AMTs) with mechanic clutches that cause wear, Allison fully automatic transmissions only require periodic oil and filter changes for best performance, thanks to torque converter technology.

"Fully automatic transmissions eliminate the need for replacing clutch kits bimonthly," said Bayram Demir, Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Public Transport Manager. "Wear on vehicles caused by drivers is also prevented."

"Including our new Karsan buses, we have a total of 414 public transportation vehicles. For the first time in Mersin, the average age of all vehicles in our fleet will decrease to 2.7 years," said Topçuoğlu. "Mersin has an unparalleled young fleet in Turkey. We believe such a young fleet must be powered by the advantages of fully automatic transmissions."

Providing transportation services for an average of 110,000 passengers daily, Mersin Metropolitan Municipality serves an average of 10,000 passengers daily between the city center and other districts. The new Karsan Atak midibuses will travel from 110 km to 250 km per day in Mersin's different bus routes varying from 10 to 75 kilometers. There are 15 to 37 bus stops per route depending on length. Mersin Metropolitan City employs 799 bus drivers, including 109 women.

"Our driver team will expand with the addition of new vehicles to our fleet. We conduct driver trainings continuously but, of course, there may be some differences in driving habits," said Demir. "While supporting the elimination of driving differences between drivers, the fully automatic transmissions also prevent driver fatigue. Drivers can focus on the road as they do not have to shift and the comfort of the passengers increases thanks to more controlled and safe driving."

"The municipalities in Turkey are preferring fully automatic transmissions more and more thanks to their many advantages including high performance for drivers, safe and comfortable transportation for passengers and lower maintenance and fuel costs," said Berk Gönenç, Allison, Turkey Sales Manager. "The unique performance of Allison in 8-meter long buses all around the world is now appreciated by Turkey as well. We have no doubt that Mersin Metropolitan Municipality will leverage its vehicles in the most efficient way."

Mersin's fully-low floor Karsan Atak buses also feature active driving safety equipment such as a fire extinguishing system for the engine compartment, a lane keeping system and an accident prevention system. These models also temper Mersin's hot climate thanks to 32-kW reinforced air-conditioners and glass that reduces both heat and light transmittance.

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