Feature Article
Safe, smart bus solutions
With tried and trusted Rosa and MP300 buses in its line-up, plus the advantage of bus build options on Canter and Fighter chassis, Fuso NZ has plenty of bases covered – school runs, public transport, private tours, and charters.
Add advanced safety features, five-year extended warranties and ‘cost per km’ Easy Pay service contracts in the mix, and Fuso NZ is well-placed to provide the safe, smart solutions that bus operators and passengers are looking for.
Fuso NZ general manager of sales and head of technical – Kathy Schluter and Ian Porter – were both in attendance at what they described as “a really enjoyable, well-attended and well-run event”.
“Despite some uncertainty surrounding the imminent release of the Ministry of Education’s latest RFP, there was a good deal of optimism from the majority of attendees,” reported Kathy. “It was great to meet with operators from around the country and understand their hopes and expectations for the future of the industry – and how FUSO can support them in that.”
Ian said the FUSO range and brand continues to be held in high regard, with Rosa an enduring favourite and MP300 gaining traction.
There was a also lot of interest in the Fighter School Bus on display – a 9.53m, 52-seat body built on a 280hp FK1428 chassis.
“A number of Canter and Fighter models have proven to be well-suited to bus builds,” said Ian.
“New Canter models offer the advantage of advanced safety features, including an Active Emergency Braking System, Lane Departure Warning System and Electronic Stability Control and touchscreen media unit with reversing camera and Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility.
“Our latest Fighter range features the same media unit function and we have more developments for Fighter in the pipeline.”
Ian said there was a lot of interest among delegates in the safety and the overall direction of technology over the next few years.
“Operators are eagerly awaiting to see what we do next!”