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It has been one year since 110 Chinese Yutong buses were introduced to the Bulgarian capital city's public transport system, and local representatives expressed their satisfaction Friday with the buses.
"We are satisfied with the Chinese buses. They are of high quality," Slav Monov, executive director of Stolichen Autotransport Plc.- Sofia Autobus Company, said.
"Our customers are particularly pleased with the air conditioning and the low floor of the buses," Monov said.
The diesel buses, worth nearly 20 million U.S. dollars, were purchased through a public procurement procedure and transport a quarter of Stolichen Autotransport's customers, Monov said.
He said the buses, made by China's leading bus maker Zhengzhou Yutong Bus Co., were very good products, with the best price-quality ratio.
Monov said the Yutong buses in operation in Sofia were made exclusively for Europe and met the European Union's (EU) rigorous standards on vehicle emission.
He was particularly impressed by the anti-corrosion coating technology.
Engineer Zdravko Dimitrov, who is responsible for the technical maintenance of the buses, said attention was paid to everything, and the bus is convenient for passengers and drivers.
The spacing between the seats was well planned and the floor was well made, he said, adding that the air conditioning system worked well, and the windows were tinted, which helped cool the air during the city's hot summers. Plus, the maintenance is fast and easy.
He also praised the safety design. The bus was very solid, and "the bus stops exceptionally well," he said, adding that the bus allowed quick and convenient maintenance.
The Yutong buses came with a full four-year warranty or 300,000 km mileage, he said. "So far we are very pleased," said Dimitrov.