Hybrid Marcopolo Gran Viale from Via Sul

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Hybrid Marcopolo Gran Viale from Via Sul

Hybrid Marcopolo Gran Viale from Via Sul

(Picture not mine) In 2003 São Paulo got what's surely one of the most interesting models the city's ever had, if not the most, Marcopolo built around 10 units of those equipped with TuttoTrasporti chassis "UPB C2 EX DRG" (I have no idea what that means) it had this rather unique wheel configuration,a 2 door on both sides configuration and it was a total low floor lacking the 5 rear seats due to its engine configuration, and surprisingly air conditioning, and glued glasses which in 2003/2004 was still incredibly rare in São Paulo, and a really interesting green digital Sign, which was quite the standout as most of Brasil always used either white or orange this model operated only for 2 companies Gatusa and Via Sul, Via Sul being where it spent most of its existence, operating in the "line cutter" elevated corredor. all of the units were withdrawn from operation at the end of 2013 as they hit the 10 year mark, except for 1 or 2 which were lost to fires, as this model failed due to the risk it had of catching on fire randomly on it's hybrid system, all units but 1 were sold, with one being kept for restoration (which I believe never even carried passengers and it's most recent picture Is from 2023 covered in dust in the SPTrans restoration yard and most others being scrapped or abandoned in the cities around, a certainly tragic end for a model that even though had it's flaws, was revolutionary at it's time, hopefully the preserved unit will be seen again someday, as shiny as it was in 2003.

submitted by /u/arthur_Sennabr to r/bus
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