Irisbus Agora


The Irisbus Agora was a low-floor bus designed and built by Renault from 1995 to 2002, the date upon which it has been built by Irisbus, firstly a joint-venture with Fiat subsidiary Iveco from 1999, with Iveco engines. It has also been built by Czech-based Karosa under the Citybus name as a diesel-powered bus, Skoda as a trolleybus in Eastern European markets as the Škoda 24Tr Irisbus and Škoda 25Tr Irisbus, and by the Romanian-based Astra Bus.

Range

The range consisted of:
  • Standard 12-metre "S" version, available in one-, two- or three-door form
  • Articulated 18-metre "L" version in three- or four-door form
  • "Line" 12-metre version in one, two or three-door form. This version is distinct from the standard Agora by its engine layout, which is longitudinally-mounted instead of being transversely mounted in the Agora S and L. That gives the Line version a slightly greater seating capacity and a better fuel economy over the S version. This version was briefly sold in the United Kingdom, in right hand drive.
  • Intercity version called "Moovy" which was based on the Agora Line.

    Operators

Over 11,000 were built, mainly for European operators. Right hand drive countries for English and Australian bus operators have 1 door only.

Europe

The RATP Group was the largest purchaser with over 2,500. Standard Agora buses have been used in Greece by Athens bus operator OASA in two versions: diesel and CNG.
In Spain the Agora have been one of the most common buses in the 2000s and 2010s, with plenty of units in Málaga, Sevilla, Madrid, Valencia or Zaragoza from both Renault and Irisbus and also Standard and Long versions.
In Czech Republic 321 Agora S and 53 Agora L were delivered to Prague and more than 350 buses to other Czech cities. They were manufactured in Karosa factory in Vysoké Mýto.

United Kingdom

In England, 23 were bodied by Optare, the majority for Norfolk Green for its rural and urban services.

Australia

In Australia, a batch was ordered by King Brothers. Six Northcoast Bus & Coach bodied examples were delivered, however a larger order for Custom Coaches and Australian Bus Manufacturers bodied examples was reneged on and amongst the operators to purchase them were ACTION, Baxter's Coaches, Fearne's and Thompsons Bus Service.