Scania K 360 takes on mountain road in Chile

9 APRIL 2021

Chilean company Viggo has more than 73 years of experience of land transport, and their history with Scania dates back more than two decades.

Since 2014, Viggo has expanded its services to different regions and multiple industries within Chile. They entrust Scania buses for safe transport of mining operators from haul trucks to their jobs in the mine pit. Maximum punctuality is needed, and the highest safety standards in northern Chile was called for as the roads where the buses run are difficult to navigate due to rocks on the road as well as speed bumps.

Dangerous mountain roads

To transport mine personnel by bus is challenging for any operator. This particular route starts from Antofagasta mining town by the sea, and then undertakes a mountain route consisting of both roads and tracks, that reaches 4,000 meters above sea level. In winter, it is not unusual that the difference in temperature ranges from 25 to 35 degrees Celsius. As the roads can be very dangerous in the cold time of the year, the mining company requires reliable buses with maximum safety, paying particular attention to the monitoring and maintenance.

Not any bus can be put in operation on this South American road. Due to the altitude and general topography, K 360 are most suitable to provide adequate power. Gerardo Arriagada is Operations and Fleet Manager at Viggo Chile: “Scania adapted to the specific needs regarding how workers are transferred at the mining operation in northern Chile. It provides us with a high level of reliability.”

Facts:

In 2020, Scania Chile became market leader in buses, long distance segment (40,2%), as well as the urban segment (30,5%). “Scania is contributing to renewing public transport bus fleets, both in long distance across the country, and within Transantiago city urban fleet, with the aim of improving efficiency and establishing a more sustainable transport system,” says Scania Chile Managing Director, Pascal Zappone.