Mercedes-Benz Buses South Africa delivers 100th bus to Putco Limited

Mercedes-Benz Buses and Putco Limited have continued their successful partnership at the official handover of the 100th bus to the bus operator.

The milestone handover is subsequent to a significant order of 100 Mercedes-Benz buses made by Putco Limited in 2020. The delivery of the fleet was done in batches beginning in December 2020 and culminating in the last 12 buses being delivered end of August 2021. 

The special occasion was graced by the presence of amongst others; Larimar/Putco Managing Director, Franco Pisapia; Head of Mercedes-Benz Buses, Jason Brunninger; General Manager Marcopolo South Africa, Lucus Garbardo.

The first 23 buses were delivered in December and we have already seen a shift in perception from the general public and happier passengers.

– FRANCO PISAPIA, MANAGING DIRECTOR, LARIMAR/PUTCO

The handover is a strong reaffirmation of the brand’s ongoing commitment to redefining and shaping the future of the transport industry in Southern Africa.

The new buses comprise of OF1726, front-engine bus chassis equipped with the Marcopolo Torino G7 bus bodywork, adding to Putco’s remarkable fleet of over 1 850 vehicles.

Putco Limited is the biggest commuter bus operator in South Africa and proudly transports more than 230 000 commuters daily in and around Mpumalanga, Gauteng, and Limpopo providing safe and convenient commuting services.

We are humbled by the faith and confidence that Putco Limited has placed in our brand

– Jason Brunninger, Head of Mercedes-Benz Buses

“The handover of the 100th Mercedes-Benz bus today, is a culmination of hard work, dedication, and collaboration from both the Larimar/Putco and the Mercedes-Benz Bus teams.  The first 23 buses were delivered in December and we have already seen a shift in perception from the general public and happier passengers, said Franco Pisapia, Managing Director, Larimar/Putco.

Jason Brunninger, Head of Mercedes-Benz Buses had this to say about the partnership: “We are humbled by the faith and confidence that Putco Limited has placed in our brand. Together with our body builder partner Marcopolo South Africa, we have been working tirelessly to ensure premium quality in every detail. We are proud that our vehicles are contributing to the economic success of Putco Limited and to the overall transport industry across the region to ensure our people are safe at all times”.