First large contract for Otokar in the Czech Republic
The tender was originally won by NMN Group which wanted to supply MAZ buses made in Belarus.
The Transport Company of the Ústí nad Labem Region (DSUK) tender for the purchase of ninety buses, which lasted for over a year and a half, was won by the Turkish manufacturer Otokar. This is the first large contract for Otokar in the Czech Republic.
DSUK published the framework contract in the register of contracts. Its value is CZK 337 million (EUR 13,8 million) meaning one bus will cost only CZK 3.74 million excluding VAT (EUR 153 K). The tender was announced by DSUK in August 2020.
The tender was originally won by NMN Group which wanted to supply MAZ buses made in Belarus. The Iveco dealer Zliner took second place. Third place went to SOR, which unsuccessfully challenged the tender with the antimonopoly office.
The framework contract is valid for two years, DSUK has not yet placed its first order. The buses will be delivered in the length of 9.9–11 m. The contract does not specify exactly what type of bus Otokar will deliver to the region; it could be the Vectio C model. For DSUK, the purchase of new buses should mean strengthening its bus fleet. Until now, it has had to rent buses from other carriers, increasing cost per kilometer.