Fully Automatic Transmissions for Airport Vehicles

Passenger transportation operator, Aeropass chooses Allison Transmission for 38 new Solaris buses operating at Paris CDG airport, and Solaris adds the T310R fully automatic transmission to the Urbino range.

PARIS, France – Aeropass, the passenger transportation company, has operated 38 new Solaris Urbino 12 meter buses on behalf of Air France, since last September. With a capacity of 105 people and reaching average speeds of 8km/hour, these buses work on the runways of Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport and are designed for transporting airline crew and passengers.

The 12m Solaris buses are equipped with Allison’s T310R fully automatic transmission. Because these buses are 2001/85 compliant, they are also allowed to safely drive on public, external and service roads. This significantly helps maintenance operations and reduces cost as dedicated teams of technicians and a storage provision for spare parts are no longer required at the airport.

The 38 new vehicles are being used to replace the airfield bus fleet which was also Allison-equipped. Aeropass was influential in selecting the transmission and requested all 38 new buses be fitted with Allison automatic transmissions. This contributed to Solaris extending the option of an Allison transmission to the Urbino range.

Gérard Lassalle, Project Manager for Aeropass, says, “We are very satisfied with the projects we have carried out with Allison Transmission in the past. This is why we insisted that the Solaris Urbino buses we operate at Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport were fitted with Allison automatic transmissions. This option has been made available thanks to our request.”

The T310R fully automatic transmission is the perfect choice for vehicles designed for passenger transportation. Combining engine power (205 kW) of the 6.7 liter Cummins engine with Allison’s advanced electronic controls, the Solaris Urbino delivers a fuel efficient and smooth ride.

Christian Weintz, Director of Solaris France, states, “In order to respond in the best way possible to Aeropass, we worked with Allison to enable the inclusion of the transmissions in a very rapid timeframe. Our buses have been fitted with this equipment for the last nine months, and we have seen excellent results. The benefits are felt by both bus drivers – who no longer need to be concerned with gear changes and can concentrate better on driving – and passengers, who enjoy greater travel comfort.”

Benjamin Bouchot, Manager of Market Development for Allison Transmission in France, explains, “Often we are asked by end-users, managing both bus and truck fleets, to include Allison transmissions into vehicles where they are not yet an option. As in the Aeropass case, the proximity and involvement of the Allison team with vehicle manufacturers around the world and our ability to promptly respond to their requests played an essential role in the success of such projects.