The show was organized by ITEMF Expo (a member of Messe Frankfurt and ITE Group) and Busworld International, an organizer of the Busworld exhibitions in the world.
The exhibition was supported by the following governmental bodies, ministries and unions: the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, IRU (International Road Transport Union), RSPP (Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs), RAS (Russian Motor Transport Union), ROSAVTOTRANS, Association of Russian Automakers (OAR), the Moscow City Department of Multicultural Policy, Interregional Cooperation and Tourism of Moscow, Association of European Businesses (AEB) and the Moscow City Department of Transport and Development of Road and Transportation Infrastructure.
51 companies (manufacturers of buses and coaches, components and spare parts) from 8 countries, 3.458 professionals and more than 100 representatives of the media took place over 4.700 square meters of the total exhibition space.
The event provided an opportunity to see the latest models of buses as well as components of the largest domestic and foreign manufacturers: KAMAZ, NEFAZ, «GAZ Group», MAZ, SCANIA, MAN, KING LONG, Yutong, Webasto, Continental Automotive Rus, VOITH, Continental Tyres Rus, Camozzi, RABA AXLE and many others.
The first edition of Busworld Russia powered by Autotrans was saturated with the specialties from the leading manufacturers.
Among its exhibit items on the International Coach & Bus Show Busworld Russia GAZ group presented the buses for urban and suburban transportation: the medium-sized low floor bus GAZ Kursor manufactured at Likino Bus Plant and the small-sized bus Vector NEXT manufactured at Pavlovo Bus Factory along with the new model of the latter designed for school busing.
KAMAZ demonstrated at once 4 exhibition items. The electric omnibus of “second generation” KAMAZ-6282 with a new interior and exterior drew the primary attention of the visitors. The 100% low floor passenger citybus NEFAZ 5299-40-51 powered by compressed natural gas (Euro-5) was another one KAMAZ item at the exhibition. On its display cases KAMAZ also presented the half low floor bus NEFAZ 52994-30-42 with the doors formula 1-2-0. Besides, the visitors were shown the passenger suburban coach Bravis with the WEICHAI engine corresponding to the Euro-5 environmental level.
MAZ presented a new bus, which is expected to be used for the transportation of guests during 2018 FIFA World Cup. The bus is designed for the large cities preparing for major events with a high passenger traffic. Among them are 11 Russian cities, which are to host the World Cup in two years. It is no coincidence that, after the bus show, the first MAZ 231 will be transferred to Moscow in order to test it on the local routes. The tests are to be carried out by the Unitary enterprise Mostransavto, formerly responsible for the transportation services at the Olympic Games in Sochi. This specialty, like the former new models of MAZ 231, measures 12 meters in length. The bus is characterized by its environmental sustainability as it is equipped with the Mercedes engine of the Euro-5 class and the ZF manual gearbox, which is more efficient on suburban and intercity routes than an automatic gearbox.
MAN Truck and Bus RUS demonstrated the new suburban coach Lion’s Intercity at the exhibition. In Russia this bus had been presented for the first time in 2015 at COMTRANS, the largest exhibition in the sector, and has already found the first clients. An optimum design, universal equipment, the outstanding security features confirmed by the ECE R66.02 certificate and the inherent system ERA-GLONASS allow Lion’s Intercity to compete successfully in its segment. In addition, MAN served as a partner to the business program of the show.
SCANIA presented the following items on its display cases: the tourist coach Scania Touring and the intercity bus LiAZ-5251 «Voyage» (with the chassis by Scania). The latter is intended for the intercity routes in suburban and intercity transportation.
KING LONG demonstrated its most popular tourist coach and the gas-powered variant of the bus XMQ6900 with the engine operating on the nonpolluting fuel – black damp.
Another Chinese manufacturer – Yutong – presented intercity buses Yutong ZK6122H9 and Yutong ZK6938HB9 among its items.
During the three days of Busworld Russia powered by Autotrans had been accompanied by the wide business program “Busworld Academy and IRU congress”.
The Busworld Academy business platform offered the professionals and experts of the bus and coach industry, as well as the representatives of the governmental bodies, an opportunity to share their views and touch upon the wide range of relevant issues through the participation in the panel discussions and round tables.
Besides, the representatives of the Moscow City Department of Multicultural Policy, Interregional Cooperation and Tourism of Moscow, the unitary enterprise “Passengeravtotrans” (St. Petersburg), foreign bus manufacturers and bus transportation operators also acted as the speakers at the business program.
The program was appealing not only due to its presentation materials, but also because of an interactive approach. On the first day, 25 October, the Foresight-session “Image of Bus Transportation Today and Tomorrow” organized by the Moscow Automobile and Road Construction State Technical University took place. The 4 teams consisting of the experts along with the passengers and manufacturers of the two age categories were sharing their views and voting on the matters of the bus transportation image. Among the questions were the following: what makes bus preferable in comparison with other vehicles? What is the necessary bus equipment for a comfortable and secure trip? In what way may an ideal bus transportation in future be imagined? Each team member voted, and then the results of the poll were displayed on the screen immediately. This approach proved to be indicative and helped to draw conclusions right after the poll.
The participants discussed such issues as chartered and regular carriages, insurance, the image of bus transportation operators and the adjustments of the inspections by supervisory bodies (the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate, the Transport Supervisory Authority).
The section “Security of Bus Transportation” on the second day of the exhibition, on 26 October, appeared to have the utmost international character. The four international speakers from Belgium, France, Sweden and the USA shared their experience of preventing terrorist attacks on public transport, ensuring fire safety and reducing the risks of road traffic accidents involving buses.
The three days of the business platform was attended by more than 250 professionals. The representatives of the Department of Transport, bus transportation operators, city corporations, insurance companies, bus manufacturers, banks and specialized international associations and unions took part in the business program as listeners.
The organizers of the Busworld Russia powered by Autotrans Bus and Coach Show along with its official partner Busworld International distinguished the following participants in the nominations:
The best debut of the Busworld Russia powered by Autotrans– King Long
The best Russian bus of the Busworld Russia powered by Autotrans – the large-sized electric omnibus KAMAZ-6282
The best foreign bus of the Busworld Russia powered by Autotrans – Scania Touring.
The representatives of these companies were given awards by Mr. Didier Ramoudt, President of Busworld International.
The results of The 16th annual award “Commercial Vehicle of the Year in Russia” were published within the framework of the Busworld Russia powered by Autotrans Show.
The aim of the arrangement is to decide the winner in several nominations according to such criteria, as the “merits” of a vehicle in enhancing the efficiency of commercial transportation, its technological perfection, the availability of service, the economic benefits from its purchase and exploitation.
The Russian terrain truck Ural Next manufactured by Urals Automotive Plant (Miass) was announced the “Truck of the Year”. The full-metal van GAZel NEXT received the “Van of the Year” award. The jury decided in favor of the bus GAZ Kursor choosing the “Citybus of the Year”. The new suburban coach MAN Intercity became the winner in the nomination “Coach of the Year”. Finally, the GAZ group got the “Route Taxi of the Year” award for the minibus Vector NEXT.
