Voith’s DIWA.5 advanced bus transmission system has been selected by Mercedes-Benz South Africa’s Sandown Motor Holdings for their contract on Johannesburg’s Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system.

This is a bus-based mass transit system enabling fast, comfortable and cost-efficient mobility. Phase 1B of the Rea Vaya BRT project, which was launched earlier this year, expects 600 000 passengers to be transported via 134 buses, of which 93 will be solo and 41 articulated.

Voith’s DIWA.5 advanced bus transmission system has been selected by Mercedes-Benz South Africa

Peter Wraight, Voith’s Vice President, Commercial Vehicle Division, said: “Many factors influence the transmission choice for rapid transit bus programmes due to the stop-start conditions of inner-city traffic, and as traffic volumes increase this impacts upon freeway flow as well.

“Passenger weight, passenger compartment design and noise levels are contributing factors in transmission selection. Voith is flexible in meeting these needs by offering components for differing engine and axle configurations in addition to their standard product range” added Wraight.