Škoda 706 RTO-K

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Škoda 706 RTO-K
Replica of Škoda 706 RTO in Český Brod, Czech Republic
Overview
Manufacturer	Karosa, Škoda
Body and chassis
Floor type	High-floor
Chassis	Body on frame
Powertrain
Engine	Škoda 706
Capacity	64 standing 41 sitting
Power output	117,6 kW
Dimensions
Length	16120 mm
Width	2500 mm
Height	2980 mm
Curb weight	12165 kg
Chronology
Successor	Karosa ŠM 16,5

Škoda 706 RTO-K was a prototype of an articulated urban bus produced by bus manufacturer Karosa and Škoda of Czechoslovakia, in the year 1960. It was succeeded by Karosa ŠM 16,5 in 1968.

706 RTO-K is a three-axle bus with rear B axle driven. The front part is almost identical to that of Škoda 706 RTO buses, also based on the rear of this type, but has been modified. The Bus has four two folding doors on the right and additional small door on the left side panel, which lead directly to driver's cab. Inside are the seats for passengers arranged in a 2 + 2 layout with central aisle.

Bus 706 RTO-K also had a peculiarity each axle or suspension. The front axle was suspension with leaf springs, using a central axle air suspension, rear axle uses pneumatic suspension with membrane.

In 1960, a single prototype (the first Czechoslovak articulated bus) was made, but mass production never started. The prototype was tested starting in 1961 at ČSAD Praha, both on suburban routes (e.g. Prague - Horní Počernice) and long distance lines (e.g. Prague - Pec pod Sněžkou). In trial runs with passengers, the prototype proved successful; the only complaints from drivers concerned a weak engine that had problems when the bus was fully occupied. In 1966, the bus was apparently handed over to the enterprise Chirana Brno, which scrapped it in 1969.

After the failure of the production of articulated RTO buses in Czechoslovakia, serial production began in large numbers under a license in Poland (like standard buses Škoda 706 RTO). Buses were produced initially as Jelcz AP 02 (a little longer than 706 RTO-K), then Jelcz AP 021 (a little smaller than 706 RTO-K) was released and produced until 1975.

A replica was built in Zlín for a private collector, starting in 2010. In 2013, it was finished and introduced to the public in Prague.

• replica of Škoda 706 RTO-K built from two 706 RTO buses

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Škoda 706 RTO-K.

• List of buses