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Yes they are. The newest Mercedes O 305/G/Heuliez are at least 5 years older than the Ikaruses. And not only are they older, but they are also in worse condition. They are so heavily corroded that their chassises fall apart while in service. In Zemlyane depot, for example, technicians barely manage to bring these buses back in service as they break down on a daily basis. The decision to decommission all Ikarus buses is purely political. Regular people in Bulgaria think that Ikarus are the oldest, durtiest and crappiest buses around. Politicians have promised to retire them since 2005 but none managed to do so until this year. The major of Sofia wants to make herself some PR before the coming elections by decommissioning all Ikarus buses, many of which are in fact in decent shape. Meanwhile, dangerous Mercedes buses, which are literally falling apart, will remain in service.