MARTIN'S ALBURY ADDS TWO NEW-GENERATION FUSO ROSA TO ITS FLEET

Martin’s Albury has added two new-generation Fuso Rosa buses to its diverse fleet.

The premium transport provider was established in 1931 and has grown to feature a fleet of close to 70 coaches and buses.

Martin’s has been operating eight previous-model Rosas for school pick up and drop off duties around Albury, New South Wales. The two new Rosas will be used for charter work including corporate and school groups.

David Martin, along with his mother Rosalie, heads up the third-generation family business, which operates a range of tour services in addition to school and charter services.

Mr Martin says the existing Rosa models had performed well and local dealer Daimler Trucks Albury had provided good support. The fact the Rosa is available with 25 seats, which is more than a key competitor, provides a level of flexibility that is welcomed at Martin’s.

The new generation Rosa delivers a range of benefits that have made the light bus even more appealing to operators.

For Martin’s, one of the highlights is the addition of active safety features as standard. These include the radar-based Advanced Emergency Braking System that can also detect moving pedestrians, in addition to larger objects. It also has a Lane Departure Warning System.

“Safety always comes first at Martin’s Albury. We carry people, so we want to do everything we can to keep them as safe as possible,” Mr Martin says.

“To have the integrated active safety features in the Rosa is very important for us,” Mr Martin says.

The new-generation Rosa features the new 3.0-litre four-cylinder engine that meets the strict Euro 6 emissions standards and works with a quick-shifting six-speed Automated Manual Transmission. This advanced powerplant is not only lighter but also more efficient than the engine it replaces.

The new engine and transmission combination has been welcomed by Mr Martin.

“These are so easy to drive now,” he says. “It really is just like driving a car.”

The Rosa also has the benefit of long 15,000km service intervals and is covered by a manufacturer warranty of five years or 200,000km, whichever comes first.

Fuso offers the Rosa with 25 seats, but also sells a 22-seat version. The Rosa is available with three-point seatbelts on all seats.

Rosa features a driver and passenger airbag, as well as Electronic Stability Program (ESP).

The 3.0-litre engine produces 129kW and 430Nm of torque and is available with a five-speed manual in addition to the six-speed AMT as selected by Martin’s.