Karosa B 961

Karosa B 961
Karosa B961 no.6357 from year 2002 of Prague transport company
Overview
Manufacturer	Karosa
Body and chassis
Doors	4, air-operated
Floor type	High-floor
Chassis	semi-self-supporting with frame
Powertrain
Engine	Iveco Cursor 8 Euro III V6 Diesel engine
Power output	210 kW (282 hp)
Transmission	Voith DIWA 3-speed automatic Voith DIWA 4-speed automatic ZF 4-speed automatic (prototype)
Dimensions
Length	17,590 mm (692.5 in)
Width	2,500 mm (98.4 in)
Height	3,165 mm (124.6 in)
Curb weight	13,870 kg (30,580 lb) (B 961) 14,400 kg (31,700 lb) (B 961 E)
Chronology
Predecessor	Karosa B 941
Successor	Irisbus Citelis

Karosa B 961 is an articulated urban bus produced by bus manufacturer Karosa from the Czech Republic, in the years of 2002 to 2006. Modernised version, Karosa B 961E, was introduced in the year 2003. In many towns they replaced Karosa B 741. It was last high-floor bus built in Karosa, before it was renamed to Iveco Czech Republic.

Interior of Karosa B 961 E

Construction features

Karosa B 961 is model of Karosa 900 series. B 961 is derived from its predecessor Karosa B 941, and also unified with city bus models such as B 951 and B 952. Body was assembled to the skeleton, which has undergone a dip stage, sheets were galvanized and painted and then to have it installed additional components. Body is made of two rigid sections linked by a pivoting joint. Body is semi-self-supporting with frame and engine with automatic gearbox is placed in the rear part. Only third C axle is propulsed, meaning that this articulated bus has pusher configuration. Front, middle and rear axles are solid. All axles mounted on air suspension. On the right side are four doors (first and last are narrower than middle doors). Inside are used plastic Vogelsitze or Ster seats. Drivers cab is separated from the rest of the vehicle with glazed partition. In the middle part and in the rear part is room for a pram or wheelchair. Buses have an enclosed design of the turntable.

Production and operation

Prototype of Karosa B 961 was built in 2000. Later it was given to Prague Transport Company as a help after floods in Prague in 2002. It operates until now with number 6360. It has ZF gearbox and Iveco engine.
Serial production started in the year 2002, when first buses were delivered to first operators in Czech Republic and Slovakia, and continued until 2006. Since 2003 were buses produced only modernised version B 961 E, which had glass glued to skeleton, instead of glass mounted in rubber and better ventilation of the engine compartment. Last B 961 E left the production line in 2006, it was bus which is now operated by Martin Uher in Prague, Czech Republic under the number 1147.

Prototype of Karosa B 961 from the year 2000

Historical vehicles

All vehicles are still operated in public transport.

See also

• Technical specs on manufacturers page (on web archive)

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Karosa B 961.

• List of buses