Bus
ŠKODA 21 Ab bus no. 445 from 1997 from 1997

ŠKODA 21 Ab bus no. 445 from 1997

Buses Škoda 21 Ab were produced by the Škoda Ostrov factory from 1995 to 2001 and represented the manufacturer's effort to unify with concurrently produced trolleybuses Škoda 21 Tr, respectively Škoda 22 Tr. Škoda Ostrov gained a series of experiences regarding unification in the development of a unified range of public transport vehicles, represented by the types Škoda 17 Tr/18 Tr for trolleybuses and Karosa B 831/B 841 (with subsequent modifications) for buses. Although this entire project ended in failure, the idea of unification, which offered operators the possibility of savings in the procurement of spare parts, remained alive at the Škoda Ostrov plant. During the rapid development of new low-floor trolleybuses in the early 90s, with which the manufacturer sought to catch up with the Western countries after several years of lag, it also intended to enter the bus segment. The core of production was to continue to be represented by trolleybuses of the types Škoda 21 and 22 Tr (and briefly also with the type Škoda 23 Tr). Buses Škoda 21 Ab and 22 Ab were to be derived from them. The buses were to use the same bodywork, however, the components of the power system were to be procured from reputable Western companies. Although the development deviated from the original plan, the first prototypes of the trolleybus Škoda 21 Tr and the derived bus Škoda 21 Ab were introduced as early as 1995. The development of the articulated trolleybus Škoda 22 Tr (prototype built in 1993) was interrupted, thereby also postponing indefinitely the project of producing the bus Škoda 22 Ab, which never materialized.

For Pilsen at the time, the Škoda 21 Ab buses represented a qualitative leap in public transport despite all technical issues. In Pilsen, they were the first vehicles to allow boarding without the need to climb stairs.

The offered bus with registration number 445 is being offered in a state after being retired from regular service and after necessary repairs to the lower parts of the vehicle and repainting.

The bus has a capacity of 27 seating places and recommended 23 standing places.

The bus cannot be operated from November 1st to March 31st.