Irisbus Agora

The Irisbus Agora (previously known as Renault Agora, Karosa City Bus or Ikarus Agora) was a low-floor bus designed and built by Renault from 1995 to 2002, date upon which it has been built by Irisbus, firstly a joint-venture with Fiat subsidiary Iveco from 1999, with Iveco engines. It has also been built by Czech-based Karosa under the Citybus name as a diesel-powered bus, Skoda as a trolleybus in Eastern European markets as the Škoda 24Tr Irisbus and Škoda 25Tr Irisbus, and by the Romanian-based Astra Bus.

Irisbus Agora
Renault Agora Standard (S) in Reims in April 2011
Overview
ManufacturerRenault
Irisbus
Karosa
Astra Bus
Production1996-2006
Body and chassis
Doors1 door (United Kingdom and Australia)
1, 2, 3 or 4 doors (Europe)
Floor typeLow-floor
Powertrain
EngineRenault MIDR 062045
Iveco Cursor F2B
Capacity34 to 75 seated
Power output186 kW (249 hp) (Renault)
189 kW (253 hp)-213 kW (286 hp) (Iveco)
TransmissionVoith DIWA 3-speed automatic
ZF Ecomat 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Length11,990 mm (472.0 in) (Agora S)
Width2,500 mm (98.4 in)
Height2,924 mm (115.1 in)
Curb weight11,380 kg (25,090 lb)
Chronology
PredecessorRenault R312
SuccessorIrisbus Citelis

Range
RATP Group Standard (S) Renault Agora in Paris in July 2010

The range consisted of:

  • Standard 12-metre "S" version, available in one-, two- or three-door form
  • Articulated 18-metre "L" version in three- or four-door form
  • "Line" 12-metre version in one, two or three-door form (built from 1999). This version is distinct from the standard Agora by its engine layout, which is longitudinally-mounted (under the rear passenger seats) instead of being transversely mounted in the Agora S and L. That gives the Line version a slightly greater seating capacity and a better fuel economy over the S version. This version was briefly sold in the United Kingdom, in right hand drive.
  • Intercity version called "Moovy" (unveiled in 2003) which was based on the Agora Line.

Operators

Over 11,000 were built, mainly for European operators. Right hand drive countries for English and Australian bus operators have 1 door only.

Europe

The RATP Group was the largest purchaser with over 2,500. Standard Agora buses have been used in Greece by Athens bus operator OASA in two versions: diesel and CNG. In Spain the Agora (known as Renault/Irisbus Citybus) have been one of the most common buses in the 2000s and 2010s, with plenty of units in Málaga, Sevilla, Madrid, Valencia or Zaragoza from both Renault and Irisbus and also Standard and Long versions. In Czech Republic 321 Agora S (Citybus 12M) and 53 Agora L (Citybus 18M) were delivered to Prague and more than 350 buses to other Czech cities. They were manufactured in Karosa factory in Vysoké Mýto (today part of Iveco Bus).

United Kingdom

In England, 23 were bodied by Optare, the majority for Norfolk Green for its rural and urban services.[1]

Australia

In Australia, a batch was ordered by King Brothers. Six Northcoast Bus & Coach bodied examples were delivered, however a larger order for Custom Coaches and Australian Bus Manufacturers bodied examples was reneged on and amongst the operators to purchase them were ACTION (20), Baxter's Bus Lines (5), Fearne's (5) and Thompsons Bus Service (5).[2]

References
  1. Optare - Agora Line Bus Lists on the Web
  2. Kings for a day Sydney Morning Herald 10 May 2003
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