First Universiade Buses handed over to Transport Companies of Tatarstan

KAZAN – The first group of 25 Hyundai Universe Luxury buses was solemnly handed over to transport companies of the Republic of Tatarstan under the agreement for the provision of transport services during the 27th Summer Universiade on Wednesday, October 24th.

The ceremony that took place at the Universiade Village was attended by Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan Ildar Khalikov, Tatarstan’s Minister of Transport and Road Construction Lenar Safin, Director General of the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate Vladimir Leonov, as well as by representatives of the South Korean car manufacturer headed by Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor Company Choi Han Yeong.

“As the Summer Universiade inches closer, we bring it a step closer to reality,” said Ildar Khalikov in his welcome speech. “Now we can say that the majority of Universiade venues are ready and already offer their facilities to citizens of Kazan, including students that study at universities of the capital of Tatarstan. Most road constructions are scheduled to be completed by the end of the year; construction of the new terminal and new takeoff and landing strip of the Kazan International Airport comes to a close. The workforce that will be in charge of an efficient and successful delivery of the Universiade is gearing up.” The Prime Minister also reminded that the World University Games will welcome over 13,500 athletes, officials and over 100,000 supporters from 170 countries of the world and stressed that transport services are a top priority in the build-up to the Games. “I’m very happy that Hyundai Motor Company began supplying us with buses not in the spring, just before the Universiade, but today, so that we can test them and be confident that these vehicles will ensure a reliable provision of transport services at Games time,” said Ildar Khalikov and noted that all agreements were reached as early as in February and within a short period of time the first buses have already been delivered to Kazan. He also mentioned that it’s only the first group of Kazan 2013 buses and passenger cars that will be supplied to carry athletes, team officials and other guests during the 27th Summer Universiade. As we have earlier reported, 525 buses (including 344 intercity buses, 143 city buses and 38 minibuses) will be needed to meet the needs of the Games. The Kazan 2013 Fleet will also include 820 units of Solaris and 109 units of Sonata (I40), as well as 122 units of H-1 minibus. 

But prior to the Summer Universiade the buses supplied especially for Kazan 2013 will be tried out during test events for the 2014 Sochi Games scheduled to be held from October 2012 to March 2013. Hyundai Universe Luxury buses will head to the host city of the 2014 Oympic Games next week. 

“These buses will serve multiple uses,” said Vladimir Leonov, Director General of the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate. “They will serve during test events in Sochi and the Summer Universiade in Kazan, later they will be eventually put into service during the Olympic Games.” According to Vladimir Leonov, the buses will also be used during test events for the World University Games in 2012-2013. He also elaborated on the requirements that are imposed on bus manufacturers and drivers. The latter are hired from transport companies of the Republic of Tatarstan. The first groups of recruits already took specialised training which also comprises the basic English language programme.

The cooperation between the Republic of Tatarstan and Hyundai Motor Company started as early as in 2005, said Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor Company Choi Han Yeong in his interview with kazan2013.com. “Seven years ago we supplied buses for Kazan’s millennium celebrations, and this time when our partners offered us to act as a transport provider for the Universiade, we were happy to accept the offer,” explained Valentin Grechman, CEO of Hyundai ComTrans Rus Ltd. He also noted that the company always readily supports sporting events and sponsors a number of Russian sports clubs. 

The first group of buses was handed over to OOO Burevestnik, OAO Zelenodolskoe PATP (Zelenodolsk Passenger Motor Transport Enterprise), OAO Nizhnekamskoe PATP-1 (Nizhnekamsk Passenger Motor Transport Enterprise No 1). Hyundai Motor Company is the world’s fifth largest car manufacturer selling its models in 186 different countries. Hyundai has been an official sponsor and transport provider for FIFA since 1999. 

At the end of the handover ceremony Ildar Khalikov received a symbolic key from Hyundai. After the event the representatives of Hyundai Motor Company visited the Universiade Village where they signed the guestbook and left traditional wishes to the organisers and participants of the Games.

(Source: Kazan 2013 Media Dept.)