(buses[IN]gapore!) View RSS

SMRT Buses : MAN Lion's City Double Deck (A95) /Gemilang (SMB5888H) 8 Nov 2014 9:29 PM (11 years ago)

After SMRT introduced their Enviro500 double deck buses on July 2014, we all thought that it's gonna be the only model that SMRT's gonna operate for a while.

Turns out it isn't gonna be the case in about 4 months time....



SMRT's Enviro500 double deck! Though it quickly became not to be the only SMRT double deck in service in 4 months time.

MAN Lion's City Double Deck meets Alexander Dennis Enviro500!

MAN meets MAN!

The MAN Lion's City Double Deck was introduced as part of a one year trial at the request of MAN - this is an excerpt of the official post by SMRT on their Facebook page.

"We confirm that SMRT Buses will put on trial one new MAN double-deck bus at the manufacturer's request. The trial will last a year. This is part of our ongoing effort to test new bus models. Our commuters have welcomed the addition of double-deckers to our growing fleet of buses to meet increased demand." - https://www.facebook.com/SMRTCorpSG/posts/821427307878500

Bodied by Gemilang, it is promoted under the MAN Lion's City branding as a complete bus. There was a prototype that was spotted with a Lion's City Double Deck design in white though the fate of that vehicle is unknown.

MAN Lion's City Double Deck!

The MAN Lion's City Double deck, supposedly in pseudo-old SMRT livery without the SMRT logo apparently painted in grey (or edited?)

As compared to the actual Lions City Double deck! Photo by Michael F. Mehnert @ http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8e/NEOMAN_A39_2007-03-15.jpg

The right hand drive version of the Lion's City Double Deck has subtle change in design, most notably the top of the front and rear of the bus. Most notably, the front upper deck windscreen is and the top of the rear window is curved.

Upper deck rear window being slightly curved. Though the bottom half is similar to that of its European cousin.

For those that find the front design familiar, it has design cues that were based off an earlier Gemilang bodied double deck bus that entered service with SBS Transit - SBS7777Y.




Some of the the design cues came from this bus which was also bodied by Gemilang - even some of the interior too.

An aesthetics change is at the front - instead of silver under the windscreen, it is black! Does look better as compared to the ones we've been seeing on the MAN buses.



Black under the windscreen, making the MAN front bumper stand out!

As compared with the existing MAN bus paintjob.

Originally thought to be a new Mobitec signage, it turns out to be an Aesys signge.

The front signage is by Aesys - a first for SMRT Buses.

The offside has a unique feature - though it is not visible at all from the exterior.


Spot the extra window at the staircase area.

Spot the window?



And it's the first public bus to have 3 signal indicators per side for the rear of the bus.

And finally it enters service on 190

And if the interior looks similar - it's because it is also based off the Gemilang bodied Volvo B9TL, which sees the adjustable aircon outlet making an appearance on the Lion's City double deck too.

The interior is a mix of the MAN NL323F layout, SBS7777Y style design (including the ster New City seats)

Similar.

Closer look at the rear half


The upper deck is pretty similar to SBS7777Y too.

The upper deck of SBS7777Y



Similar to MAN NL323F!

The wheelchair bay has no foldable seat on the wheelchair cushion though....

The wheelchair bay, no foldable seat this time round - just a cushion.

Following the Enviro's 3 side facing seat arrangement.



Double exit!

The staircase, with a padding at the bottom of the steps to mitigate impacts if you slip and fall.

The front upper deck windscreen of the MAN Lion's City Double Deck!

The front half of the bus~

The ride is pretty comfortable and smooth, with the upper deck being very quiet. If you've rode the MAN buses in SMRT's fleet, you've pretty much rode the double deck (kind of) :P




SMRT's now also an operator of the MAN bendy, double deck and rigid - all 3 types of buses as of today! Photo from SMRT's Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/SMRTCorpSG/photos/a.568073366547230.1073741829.566549713366262/822866911067873/?type=1&theater



YN4397L - I Love Children Bus (Volvo B10M MK IV w/ DM3500 bodywork, ex SBS2744A) 3 Mar 2014 10:09 PM (12 years ago)

Quite a long while ago, SBS Transit donated SBS7297R, a Volvo Olympian 2 axles non air-conditioned double decker bus to the I Love Children organisation, and it was converted into a mobile gallery vehicle to promote about parenthood.

Not around anymore - it's been scrapped.

The bus was retired and another replacement vehicle was donated by SBS Transit - this time round, a single deck bus in the form of a Volvo B10M MK IV with DM3500 bodywork.



Close enough. SBS2788Z.

And converted to the new MILK bus!




And hi there! On its first day and first display

So like its predecessor, most of the exterior of bus remains the same, though with modifications to accommodate for the mobile gallery setup. The exterior remain mostly unchanged, though with a new paint job. The doors now have a manual lock system so that people don't break in to the bus.



In general, not much has changed...But try to spot the missing feature on the bus. (Hint, no passengers are taking this bus anymore, so there's no need for the original bus cooling in the interior).

Though most of the original bodywork is retained, modifications were made to the bus.

Sutrak aircon system is removed, because it's too mainstream. Sort of.

The rear now houses a grille and an input for the power from an external generator.

While the rest are kept intact



Familiar bus is familiar

Unlike Molly the Library bus, the rear view mirrors are not replaced with the bigger housing type & two mirrors.

Its former identity still remains.

The rear, mostly intact, but with a grille and stuffs.

A new coat of paint - and the safety devices that keep the nuts tight from the SBS Transit days is retained.

Same for the rear axle & rim.

The wood flooring concept is retained, and now is in a much lighter colour compared to the Volvo Olympian wood flooring.



The flooring is now light brown wood style, and there's an additional step to compensate for the islands and engine hump which used to have seats mounted on it. It's to give it a flat floor in the gallery mode.

The identification plates.

For the chassis plate lovers.




The driver cab, minus the revenue equipments. The blue driver seat had been changed, complete with an armrest and a seatbelt. Yep, the Duple Metsec badge is still retained.

The whole interior is changed to a warm colour, to the tone of light orange.



Seat. With seatbelt. And armrest.

The Volvo B10M dashboard.

Everything is mostly retained as well.

Where the revenue service equipments & coinbox used to be.



And where the farecard reader and wires used to be.

Chassis plate at the top.



No more bus stopping.

Entrance!

And into the bus....

The interior of the bus. Yep, flat floor, 3 steps entry & exit.

The Doors Closing is removed.

Rear to front view of the gallery

An additional step after the standard 2 step from the original DM3500 body configuration.

And there you have it - the new I Love Children bus mobile gallery. For the appearances and its schedule, do check out this site @ http://www.ilovechildren.org.sg/bus-schedule/bus-schedule.html



In its display mode at Harbourfront

SBS Transit : Volvo B9TL/ Gemilang (SBS7777Y) 19 Feb 2014 7:34 PM (12 years ago)

5 times 7


There are registration plates where the 4 numbers are of the same digits registered for the new generation low entry/low floor SBS buses - but they are not demonstrator buses.



SBS3333X. Not a demo.

SBS6666R. Not a demo either.

SBS8888D - the only Euro IV K230UB in the entire SBS fleet with an 888X series registration plate (which that series later became the Euro V batch of buses). Nope, not a demo too.

And as of date, only SBS6666R managed to be deployed on the same number service 66 like how SBS7777Y is deployed on service 7 for its first service.

The bus is bodied by Gemilang and is configured to be a 100% low floor bus like its Wright bodied cousin, and the guesses that the registration was to be SBS3888L (3000 series low floor bus, 888 for auspiciousness). It didn't happen, and this is a very wild speculation of what might have happened (some food for thought).....




Maybe....? SMB388S, SBS3888L. A tad too similar? High capacity bus bodied by Gemilang too. Hmmm..... This bus is a MAN NG363F also bodied by Gemilang, marketed by MAN as a Lion's City GL bus. We may never know.

And a bit more history on the fleet of Volvo B9TL to date.



Euro 3 Volvo B9TL, low entry configuration, Comfort Delgro Engineering bodywork (first wheelchair accessible public bus)

SBS7500D, first Wright bodied Volvo B9TL Euro 5, low entry configuration.

And probably/maybe because of the introduction of SMRT's 100% low floor MAN NL323F A22 buses, the batch of Wrights became low floor.



SBS3000 series Wright bodied Volvo B9TL Euro 5, 100% low floor.

And a slightly updated version of the 100% low floor Wright bodied configuration later on - the rear view mirrors are electronically operated, the emergency exit window stickers were changed from translucent/red wording to green stickers with white lettering. The door systems were also updated to the kind that you have to twist and pull the knob to release pressure in an emergency.



Back on the SBS7777Y, this is the same B9TL Euro 5 spec chassis but with a different bodywork, designed by Gemilang Coachworks of Malaysia and it is based off an earlier bodywork (and their first in-house double decker bodywork) on a Scania K310UD for SBS Transit.




This was what SBS7777Y's bodywork design is based off - and yes, the Gemilang bodywork design is very unique for SBS7888K!

No mistaking of SBS7777Y with SBS7888K!

The front bumper and bottom half - it sees the introduction of a new feature that's sort of present on the Wright bodywork (though apparently configured to be part of the headlamps set rather than standalone - the Daytime Running Lamps). Those 5 dots on both left and right side that's lighted up.

Even though SBS7777Y's general bodywork style/design language was based off SBS7888K's, it has its own distinct identity and design language that sets it apart from SBS7888K. The front styling, including the bottom half is based off SBS7888K, but instead of grey, it's white. And it has that subtle Volvo slash that gives the bus its awesome character. The whole bus at first glance from the front gives a very premium feel to anyone who sees it.

There are changes to its headlamps design, the way the lamps are shaped and spaced out. It's also probably the first public bus in recent history that sees the orange indicator lights so close to the windscreen.

SBS7888K's rear.

The design language that they kept off SBS7888K's rear is that epic black area that is pretty stunning, and the rear tail lamp area - though lacking in some visual impact as compared to SBS7888K. .

Add the awkward looking grille at the engine cover, and the awkwardly painted red colour at the tail lamp area (it was originally unpainted), it doesn't look particularly attractive. Though the engine grille cover is shaped that way for the B9TL's engine to vent its heat out more efficiently (?).

The driver's cab is pretty standard, probably following the Wright styling.



The driver's dashboard & controls



The CCTV monitor & LECIP electronic signage controller - with a light for the driver.

Now on to the interior, the general layout for the three bodywork variant of Volvo B9TL is about the same.




Lower deck of the ComfortDelgro Engineering bodied Volvo B9TL, low entry





The layout is the same as the ComfortDelgro Engineering bodied B9TL.

No your eyes aren't playing tricks, this isn't a duplicate photo. It's the 100% low floor configuration (with two pairs of side facing seats brought to face front and placed at the low floor area, while the footrest area for those two seats became the area for mounting of the seats.

You'd be forgiven to believe this is a Wright bodied Volvo B9TL at first glance - but there's subtle differences that makes it different from the Wright bodied buses such as the grab poles layout and design.

Fast forward the upper decks, layout's about the same as well -



Upper deck of ComfortDelgro Engineering body B9TL

Upper deck of Wright body B9TL

You'd be forgive if you mistook this as a Wright bodied B9TL upper deck as well at first glance, though there's an additional pair of seats added (like the lower deck) to give a total of 57 seats instead of 55 seats..

It's not too surprising that the Gemilang bodied Volvo B9TL's interior is based off the Wright bodied Volvo B9TL - SBS Transit would probably be also wanting for passengers to have a consistent experience on their buses while travelling.

But even though it is based off the Wright bodied interior, it has its own distinct characteristics that set it apart from many other buses.

SBS7777Y & Volvo for life! Along with a cool bus captain!

Again, forgiven if you mistook this as a Wright bodied B9TL at first glance :P

Those grey poles thing at the entrance & exit doors also made it to the Gemilang design, though it is of a different design. And speaking of the doors, they are SMC Transit door systems.

The seats are supplied by Ster, called the New City, instead of the usual Vogelsitze System750 seats.



Instead of individual seat frames mounted to the side for the priority seats, the seats are attached on an island mould as one unit.

And that unit is moulded with the wheel arch cover for the front left wheel.

The wheelchair bay & standee area - the backing for the cushion is not black and glossy like the Wright bodied design, instead it is a matt finish and is of a light shade of brown.

Also to note is that there is an extra pair of seats (one on each side) of the side facing seats above the second axle to make up four side facing seats. On the 100% low floor Wright bodied B9TL, this would have been a 3 side facing seats configuration above each wheel.



And the rear half of the bus - and yes, there's only four individually mounted seats on the lower deck, the rest are on the islands as part of the bus interior configuration.

Maybe it's to give the bus a more integrated feel by having the seats on the island moulds instead of individual seat frames.  Those grab poles replaces the missing seat handles that are used by passengers.

And moving on to upper deck.

The staircase.



In case someone falls while going downwards, there's a grey cushion mounted there to soften the impact.



This is how it looks like from the back to front.



The Ster New City seats.



The rear window feels very Alexander Dennis Enviro-inspired....

And this is how the front looks.




Double poles.

And as for the ride - it's about the same as the other Voith gearbox Volvo B9TL buses, just the interior aesthetics are different.



The first Gemilang bodied citybus & the latest Gemilang bodied citybus for SBS Transit.

Meeting its Wright bodied cousin

When it was doing its test run/driver familiarisation.

That paper on the bus door says "Do not move this bus". The irony is, it's being moved.

The rear - the black aircon grille is more easily seen here.

The rear and right side - shiny Alcoa rims now take the stage.

In conclusion - This bus looks awesome at the front & side - that front lower half really gives that premium feel for the bus, something like how the Mercedes Benz Citaro does with its design. Interior feels pretty good too. The front with the Volvo slash is very subtle & striking, with the off centre Volvo badge below the driver's cab area catches the eye too!



That premium feel.....

The same can't really be said for the rear design.


The rear is rather plain at best, and without the badging and the extra red paint on the tail lamp area, it'll be having less visual impact on the roads.

 Overall, wow. Gemilang's design for this bus is pretty good!

The new livery for SMRT Buses....after the buzz. 27 Jan 2014 10:28 PM (12 years ago)

When SMRT's new livery was first spotted, the first reaction was "What the heck is that gap in the middle portion on the bus?".

Cue Counterstrike explosives on the design computer.

This was probably the original idea. Probably.

The odd combination of yellow, red "orange lookalike" and black on a sliver background looks pretty nice, but as usual, after getting used to it. Sliver/light grey was like an odd choice for a base colour, usually only private bus operators will opt for it. When Singapore Bus Services transited (pun intended) to SBS Transit, the white from the red & white livery was retained while introducing a new design & a new colour - purple.

And the left side looks slightly plain as the effect is interrupted due to the doors. Admittedly it probably could be executed better given that it's the side that most of the passengers will see.

The left side of the new livery - the aircon pod was also painted black after the first photos were captured. The front Citaro badge however did not make it back to the bus

But sliver gives a very unique effect - the bodywork of the bus suddenly looks very premium, something of the effect that you'll get from cars. And it might hide the dusts and dirt better than white, which was showing them up pretty easily.

Also of note is the inclusion of black paint on the electronic signage area for the electronic signage, might be due to visibility reasons.

Dirt & dust shows up very easily on the white bodywork, giving the look and feel of the bus being less well maintained.

Note that the first bus we talked about was the Citaro, SMB140P. That's because (in my personal opinion) it's the nicest looking after the new paint job. The MAN & OC500LE feels weird, especially due to the front (and for the back in the OC500LE). Even though some time have passed, the front of the MAN & OC still seems a bit weird, but the MAN still takes the cake for that.

Let's start of with the MAN, the only fault with the new paint job is how the lower front is rendered.

SMRT's preview for the new livery. (Just kidding).

In the old livery, the portion below the windscreen is painted black, and it allows for the signature MAN Lion's City front design to stand out in white & red (with black bumper).

The MAN NL323F with its new paint job. Still awkward looking "grumpy" front of sorts.

In the new livery, the black area is lost for a much bigger SMRT logo for the front which is below the windscreen. Previous test attempts by SMRT to have a larger logo while retaining the black area might have made the bus look awkward, like SMB190U.

Bigger than usual SMRT logo, but might have stood out awkwardly

The old livery brings out a European "charm" for these OC500LEs.

The front (still) looks robotic.

The black portion of the front under the windscreen is missing, and like the MAN bus it also sacrificed the black area under the windscreen to have the SMRT logo in a more prominent position. But oddly, the Citaro's SMRT logo still remains at the same place (as the black under the windscreen is probably not able to be painted?).

And an awkward sliver area above where the red portion used to go above the housing for the Mercedes Benz logo to get a straight yellow across.

And also in a pursuit to for a bigger SMRT logo for the rear, the whole black area under the rear windscreen is completely painted over. It looks rather ugly at first but now, as with everything, get used to it.

Have to get used to it....have gotten used to it.

Oddly, it also seems like the case where the actual bus turns out to be better than those in the photos at times, with some commenting that it does look better in person than in photos. The livery does remind of the old Trans Island livery, with its orange & yellow livery now being red (orange lookalike) and yellow with a distinctive pattern over the wheels.

As of date, only SMRT's wheelchair accessible bus types had been painted with the new livery, there was a fleet of MAN NL323F with the new livery deployed, but only SMB140P and SMB30Z from the Citaro & OC500LE fleet are painted as of now. The TIBS fleet are expected to also get the new livery for the buses that still have a substantial lifespan remaining, such as the Mercedes Benz O405G fleet.

Old or new? The new does look better at the end of the day, once you get over the initial shock of the changes made on the buses. Really love the sliver base colour for the livery.

And as compared to the SBS Transit : SBST's livery catches the eye more easily - simple & modern.

Jokes had been made about the new livery -

Hadouken!

The livery look like Germany's flag, upside down....?

Germany flag?

After the initial excitement over the new look, it's overall a bit underwhelming. Still need to get used to the new colour scheme and how some of the buses look drastically different overall. In a way, the new livery could be better implemented to the OC500LE & MAN buses while retaining and flowing with certain characteristics from the bodywork design.

SBS Transit : Scania K230UB / Gemilang (SBS8033D) 17 Oct 2013 12:51 AM (12 years ago)

SBS8033D on off service.

SBS8033D deployed on service 30.

SBS8033D, Euro IV and Euro V/EEV front comparison.

At the period of time, SBS Transit was probably trying out the low entry vehicles as well, so along with SBS8030L and SBS8033D (a Scania K230UB demonstrator), there was SBS8031J and "SBS8032G" as well - belonging to a MAN 18.240 HOCL-NL and possibly the Mercedes Benz OC500LE, both bodied by Gemilang. SBS8031J is no longer with SBS Transit while "SBS8032G" was never taken in by SBS Transit at all and was sold to Chitson Transport instead.

Volvo B7RLE demonstrator with Soon Chow bodywork SBS8030L

ex-SBS8031J after it was returned back to ST Kinetics & MAN.

Chitson Transport's PA9588S - its one and only registration today and the only OC500LE with city bus specs with a private operator as of today

The front of SBS8033D looks to be inspired from the Scania Omnicity

Scania Omnicity. Photo from http://www.oxford-chiltern-bus-page.co.uk/upload260305/Reading%20Scania%20Omnicity%20demonstrator%20%20Ben%20Morroll.jpg

SBS8033D with a production front.

In fact, the rear is not original as well - the right blinker used to be lower and all the tail lights used to be smaller and used bulbs instead of the standard LEDs used on the majority of the SBS Transit fleet today to standardize the parts This makes SBS8033D have a non-original front and rear, a unique point of this bus.



At least one unique point of this bus is still around as of today - the purple themed interior.Though again, the original seat covers was changed to standardize the fleet with the Volvo Super Olympian, Dennis Trident & B10BLE's seat covers. Though the general color scheme remains the same. And unlike its production cousins, its side electronic signage is mounted a little bit up higher on the left.

It is also one of the very few buses in the public bus fleet to use non-dark tinted windows.

The purple themed interior which reflects the company's purple/red livery colours.

As compared to the production batch which sees the interior change to a brown themed colour scheme instead, the purple is refreshing..

The production brown themed interior of the production first batch.

The layout is mostly the same from the first batch of production units, though some improvements were made at the front half for the Euro V/EEV batch.

Extra seatng ftw.

The driver's dashboard.

And the dashboard on the production batch.

Unlike its production cousins, SBS8033D feels more classy without the gloss of the production batch's interior.

The front with the bus stopping lamp.

Where the first aid kit is stored

The electronics bay above the driver

The housing above the front door.

The SMC entrance door with yellow grab poles.

Fire extinguisher stored behind the driver cabin, with a bit of "standing space" Though later this area would be the footrest for an additional seat above the right wheel arch.

The high wheel arch. On the production batch, they were lowered to just below the window line.

Unlike the right side, the left wheel arch has two levels.

The lower one is a convenient "luggage" placement for passengers standing near the door.

The side signage housing is mounted higher than its production batch cousins.

SBS8033D departs the old Jurong East Interchange on service 334.

SBS Transit : Volvo B7RLE / Soon Chow (SBS8030L) 9 Sep 2013 9:13 PM (12 years ago)

This bus is certainly, and one of the most striking public bus bodywork design when it was introduced back in 2007. It's a demonstrator but no production vehicles was brought in.

SBS8030L's left side. At first glance it doesn't look like a low floor bus due to the higher than usual window line.

The bodywork follows Soon Chow Corporation's signature front that are used on its other products, which the front had been described as "fierce" looking. One of the very few times when a modern public bus bodywork is made in Singapore (alongside the Volvo B9TL with ComfortDelgro Engineering bodywork). Even the front paint scheme for the bumper area is unique as well!

A Scania K124IB4X2 bodied by Soon Chow

Duck & Hippo Tours with Soon Chow bodywork.

The Volvo B7RLE - and to date, the only unit to be with a public bus operator. The only other operator who operates the same model is Sentosa Development Corporation.

Sentosa's Volvo B7RLE in private and RU (restricted use) plates plying in various internal shuttles. They are bodied by Liannex and feature slightly shorter bodywork due to Sentosa's tight road network.

SBS8030L is equipped with a Coolair electronic signage, Denso airconditioning and Alcoa rims which was also used on the first batch of Scania K230UB (including SBS8033D).

At the period of time, SBS Transit was probably trying out the low entry vehicles as well, so along with SBS8030L and SBS8033D (a Scania K230UB demonstrator), there was SBS8031J and "SBS8032G" as well - belonging to a MAN 18.240 HOCL-NL and possibly the Mercedes Benz OC500LE, both bodied by Gemilang. SBS8031J is no longer with SBS Transit while "SBS8032G" was never taken in by SBS Transit at all and was sold to Chitson Transport instead.

SBS8033D, still around. But not the front - we'll get to that later.

Ex-SBS8031J, which is now sold to Dnata, in use at Changi Airport.

Although it was never registered, it was speculated that the missing gap "SBS8032G" would eventually be registered for this bus.

Chitson Transport's PA9588S - its one and only registration today and the only OC500LE with city bus specs with a private operator as of today

So, back on SBS8030L. It is one of the very few single deckers public buses before the introduction of the Mercedes Benz Citaro to have two LED markers at the top front of the bus. And it's the slightly odd bus with a higher than usual passenger window line for a low entry bus, resulting in a straight window line front the front to the back. The driver's window features a black portion underneath to give the illusion that the driver's window is bigger.

The odd feeling to know that it's a low entry bus but the window line doesn't give a hint about it.

Usually, low entry buses have a low floor (deep window line, big windows) and step entry (standard/higher window line, smaller windows) due to the floor line and passenger viewing. Not in this case. To illustrate this, here's SBS8033D in the evening.

How the aircon ducting looks

The wheelchair access ramp at the exit door.

The door closing, and some aircon outlets that most passengers will never be able to reach and adjust unless they have a ladder.

There's a small standee space right after the exit doors. For those MRT style "near the exit door for quick alighting" passengers?

Towards the rear, and another two steps to the rearmost seats.

One of the very unique points about this bus - the rear row of seats. It feels like a lounge area, "let's put a table, play a card game and have some drinks". Oh and don't mind the Volvo badging with a missing 'V'.

Comfortable couch anyone?

This also explains the exterior large black patch at the last left and right side windows.

SBS8030L, Something unique to look at out of all the public buses being operated in Singapore.

SMRT Buses : MAN NG363F A24/Gemilang (licensed Lion's City G design by MAN) (SMB388S) 19 May 2013 11:06 PM (12 years ago)


It all started with this bus. Without it, there'll probably be no SMB388S today.

SMB138Y when it was newly introduced into service



SMB189A's interior (the rear half was modified to become 100% low floor minus the step later on when the bus entered service after a while).

In the SMB13XX series MAN NL323F buses, there are additional grab handles poles at after the driver cabin, wheelarch seats area and at the first pair of front facing seats. Additionally, this unit SMB1341C has a single seat arrangement for what used to be two pairs of front facing seats on the right side, the only unit as of post date to have this configuration.

The MAN NL323F A22 and the Mercedes Benz O405 of the SMB and TIB (Trans Island Bus Service) era of SMRT Buses meets. In some ways, both buses are analogues in terms of comfort, power and appeal, and later resulted in an articulated version of the type to be brought in.

From Trans Island's official website - TIB838H when brand new.

TIB838H when it was still in service, about 1 and a half years before it was retired and scrapped.

The production Hispano (MK I) bodied O405G with its rigid O405 cousin.

Yeah, not photoshopped, SMB0000W - it's real~

SMB388S undergoing driver familiarisation~

The rear of the bus as it leaves 313@Somerset on its training route (said to be training for service 190 bus captains).

The driver cabin view - the only addition to the default NL323F view is an extra TV that provides a view of the rear installed between the dashboard and EZlink reader console.

The driver dashboard with an extra button for the second exit door. Part of the TV screen for the rear view camera can be seen too.

At the wheelarch seats at the front, instead of having a curved handle on the wheelarch seat, it's now a metal handle.

Metal handle on the wheelarch seat

Unlike the MAN NL323F A22, there's no sticker thing here as part of the Lion's City Hybrid bodywork design.

Translucent!

Grab poles are installed on both sides of the articulator instead of a pole in the middle of the turntable.

Another view of the translucent articulator - the shadow is the connector between the middle piece to the rear carriage.

National Geographic Explorer Bus: Dennis Dart/UMW Duple Metsec (PC442C) 31 Mar 2013 12:33 AM (13 years ago)




The first Molly, ex SBS468K aka XD2037B which have been retired and presumed scrapped.

Ex SBS1992G aka XD5296A is the current Molly bus. It is an ex SBS Transit Volvo B10M MK IV Strider.




PC442C at North Vista Primary School after the launch.

The Dennis Dart buses are quite hard to find in Singapore as there have only been a handful of them owned/operated by private bus companies and SBS Transit (which have been retired), bodied by Duple Metsec. The Dart chassis is pretty popular around the world with various configurations and bodyworks, with it later having a SLF (super low floor version) zero step


A few of the private Dennis Darts around in Singapore that was managed to be encountered and photographed so far:

PA172S, one of the handful of Darts around. This unit is rumoured to be an ex-Trans Island demonstrator, but there's no information about it so...let's leave it as a rumour. It has a different front due to the bus having met with an accident some time ago. Usually based at the heavy vehicle park beside Bishan MRT depot.

CB5645K, a Dennis Dart in stock configuration and very similar to PC442C, though this may have been de-registered and scrapped.

One of SBS Transit's Dennis Dart, which have been retired.

Coincidentally the SMRT Dennis Lance fleet was undergoing early retirement hence it would be easily mistaken that an ex-SMRT Lance had been converted into the garden bus instead.

The interior of the UMW Lance.

And since this post is mainly on a private plate Dennis Dart, here's a private plate Dennis Lance (UMW) to accompany it~ The hopper windows on the windows can be seen here.



This is PC3300U as it laid over at Jurong East Bus Interchange a long time ago. Photo credits : Muhd Zakaria.

From SGcarmart where the bus was put on sale after its life at Kenizo and managed by Thinkone Automobile. The following photos below are used for the purpose of illustrating the bus as it was awaiting its new owner. Photo credits :SGCarMart.com
And it had found a new owner and is now a Mobile Bus Garden/ Explorer bus with National Geographic Singapore in partnership with NParks & Science Centre Singapore.

It was announced on the Straits Times news website 3 days before its launch by Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education Sim Ann at North Vista Primary on 25th March 2013.



PC442C as the Explorer bus



PC442C's offside



The rear nearside of PC442C. Note the power cables at the bottom left of the bus - the interior ventilation system runs on this electricity source while the engine is off.

What used to be designated as an emergency exit doorway on the bus is now a normal exit door with steps to exit the bus. The steps is stowed on the bus when travelling or not in use.

Entrance remains as entrance at the front, but the exit is now configured to be here. Previously as the city bus Keinzo Dart, the entrance doubles up as the exit.

The Dennis Dart's rims up close for those who are curious.



Front rim

Rear rim

And no, the bus hasn't grown some stylish "hair" at the front and rear; those are flora, grass and plants fixed on the roof~



From the nearby flats - the offside roof shot  of the vehicle with National Geographic staffs busy preparing for the day ahead before the launch in the afternoon.

Close-up of the roof attachment - the aircon pod has also been stickered or painted over in yellow, and the roof attachments at the front and rear of the bus can also be seen. On the roof, it shows "National Geographic - Young Explorer"

Into the bus~
The front interior & driver cab of the bus is mostly retained, the major works are done in the passenger space - and according to the Ms Then from the public relations company, the bus was converted within two and half days~


The chassis plate and identification for the bodywork. UMW-Dennis ftw.

This Explorer Bus concept is designed, built and maintained by Nature Landscapes~

The driver's dashboard/workspace. Though the driver cabin's floor space has some grass floor on it~

The gearbox selector lever in Neutral (N) & handbrake~



The original interior of PC442C. The following photo is used for the purpose of illustrating the bus as it was awaiting its new owner. Photo credits :SGCarMart.com

After the conversion to the mobile garden bus. Note that the original grey fabric covered aircon ducting is retained. The interior is lit by two strips of parallel LED lighting for illumination as the bus engine is off and is powered by the external power source when it is on "display mode".

According to the news report on Straits Times "Only some natural light will be allowed to penetrate through the foliage to mimic a real jungle atmosphere.".

Tada! The garden~

The Vogelsitze seats above the two front wheel arch has been replaced with garden benches~

The left wheelarch that used to house 3 Vogelsitze seats with a bus stopping bell~

And the right wheel arch that used to house 3 Vogelsitze seats too.

Note that the wood fitted at the pillar has a slot for the vehicle identification plate above the right wheel arch that's behind the driver's cabin, above the right wheel arch. Unfortunately, the flash blanked out most of the details.

According to the Straits Times news report -  The interior features 57 tropical plant species commonly found in Singapore and are split into three sections - the bromeliad and airplant garden, the cactus garden and the fernery garden.



The right side space with information boards and plants~ On the left are quite a lot of plants/grass which are marked by small signs for each plant species.

Further up ahead to the rear half of the bus, with more info boards and plants. There are iPads fitted for interactive learning~ For the taller people visiting the bus - a "Mind your head" sign is fitted, together with a "Mind your Step" at the floor step below.

At the rear of the bus, with the original aircon duct intact and the LED lighting visible. The rear seats have been replaced with bench seating with more plants on display, and an iPad for interactive learning~

View from the rear to the front of the bus, with another iPad on the left for interactive learning.

Since the engine is turned off when the bus is in "display mode", how does this bus ventilate itself? Good question.

There are two portable air-conditioning systems on board the bus (in green to camouflage with the green plants), together with a portable and powerful fan at the rear to keep the air flow moving constantly and not have the bus being very stuffy, powered by the exterior power cables attached to the left rear of the bus.




The fan and air con system at the rear of the bus.

And the air con system at the front of the bus, with a National Geographic logo beside it and plant name info stuffs.

And that wraps up the post on this unique bus~
The bus will be roaming to various schools in the coming weeks =)



As the day ends with the equipment and banners used for the event being removed from the school.


Special thanks to North Vista Primary School's staff/liaison Mr Michael Au and National Geographic Singapore for allowing entry to the school/vehicle for photography + documenting purposes.


Tokio Marine 65th Anniversary free rides on 16 & 17th March 2013 on service 65. 19 Mar 2013 7:53 PM (13 years ago)



During the December 2011 MRT disruptions, free shuttle buses were deployed by both SBS Transit and SMRT Buses to do free shuttle duties to temporarily replace train services so that SMRT could check the island wide tracks/third rail.



Free IKEA - Tampines Retail Park Shuttle service (note the free ride quotes on the top of the livery), though this vehicle was working on the Boon Lay - Alexandra IKEA shuttle.

But there was a free ride on a public bus service on 16th and 17th March 2013 - Tokio Marine had their celebrations for the 65th anniversary and here's the extract from their website and a press release -

"We would not have come this far if not for the dedication of our past and present staff, the support of our agency consultants and business partners and the trust that our valued clients have placed in us.
This celebration would not have been possible without you!

To kick start this celebration, we invite all to hop on to our very own Tokio Marine Life Insurance Bus 65 for free rides all day this Saturday and Sunday (16 & 17 March)!"

On their website, they feature a ComfortDelgro bodied Volvo B9TL but for service 65, there are no ComfortDelgro bodied B9TLs permanently deployed on the service (as of the writing this post). So SBS9531B - Volvo Olympian 3 axles batch 2 (deployed from Ayer Rajah Bus Park controlled 65 was pasted with the advertisement) did the free rides stint for the whole day.

Credits : Photo by Tokio Marine website.



SBS9531B not in sight >.<





SBS9531B at Tampines Bus Interchange waiting for the front bus on 22 occupying the boarding berth to depart. It does look like any other normal buses from far, with no indications it was giving a free ride.

Boarding time!

Took  a free journey from Tampines Interchange to Jalan Kolam Ayer. On board, there's 5 pieces of cardboard stuffs covering up the Ezlink readers and coinbox.

As there's no "free rides on 16th & 17th March" promotional signage on the windscreen, many passengers along the journey on boarded presumed it was a normal revenue service bus proceeded to habitually tap the ezlink card after boarding, only to be told by the driver that it's free and resulting in many having a surprised reaction that it's a free ride~

The most prominent cardboard signs when one boards the bus. And a box covering the coin box.

Have to salute the Bus Captains for both day, having to tell/explain to the passengers that it's free at probably every stop with boarding passengers for SBS9531B and seeing the surprised & happy looks on the commuters the entire day.

The revenue equipment systems were probably disabled for the day or the signs pasted on the EZlink reader are thick enough to stop any wireless contact with the EZlink card, but the former is more likely to prevent any accidental deduction of fares.



On its way to Harbour Front on the last few evening trips of the day.....

The exit readers are covered up too ~

Goodbye free rides for the last day (17th March 2013).

SBS9531B has since resumed its revenue collecting service from 18th March 2013 with this new advertisement by Tokio Marine.


SBS Transit : Volvo B10M MK IV "Superlong" / Duple Metsec (SBS997A) 28 Aug 2012 4:44 AM (13 years ago)

The Volvo B10M-70 MK IV Superlong demonstrator was introduced in 1995. The bus is almost identical to its regular MK IV Duple Metsec (DM) 12m cousins and is allocated a registration number right after SBS996C. SBS997A is a 3 axle rigid, 14.5m vehicle equipped with a Volvo THD102KF engine and a ZF 4HP590 gearbox.



SBS997A on 62, which it was serving before being redeployed to 83 between Punggol - Sengkang (Loop).

SBS997A was trialled together with the other two high capacity articulated (bendy) buses SBS998Y (a B10M-Articulated with Duple Metsec bodywork) and SBS999U (a Mercedes Benz O405G with Volgren bodywork).

The 3 high capacity buses were trialled by then- Singapore Bus Service (SBS) to test the suitablity of using high capacity single deck buses on routes inaccessible or unsuitable for double-deckers. Rival operator Trans Island went for the articulated Mercedes Benz O405G bodied by Hispano registered as TIB838H for the trial..



SBS998Y - Volvo B10M Articulated with Duple Metsec bodywork. (Photo source - Christopher Lee)

SBS999U - Mercedes Benz O405G with Volgren bodywork (Photo source - Christopher Lee)

While the trial for all 3 units with SBS was not successful and no production vehicles were brought in, Trans Island's articulated (bendy) bus trial was successful and saw the Mercedes Benz O405G being brought in with both Hispano (MKI/II/Habit) and Volgren bodywork. SBS went on to concentrate on double deckers instead.

It was said the 3 units - SBS997A,SBS998Y and SBS999U put up for sale but only SBS998Y and SBS999U was bought by Bayes Coachline in New Zealand.

Ex-SBS998Y, Photo by Peter Thompson from http://www.omnibus.org.nz/buslocation/volvo/bayes.html

Ex-SBS999U - Photo by Zack Harrison from Google Search

It's just a guess - SBS997A's supposed problem was the passengers alighting from the rear exit- there was no third exit and passengers from the rear had to squeeze through the long length of crowd to aligh, though it might be the length of the bus at 14.5m and negotiating difficulties. SBS998Y and SBS999U's supposed problem was with the near 18m length taking up space, negotiating difficulties and the depot facilities/ driver training were catered for double deckers - the mainstay high capacity vehicle type for SBS since the 80s. 

And so the remaining bus for the high capacity single deck trial SBS997A stayed on and is likely to be retired in October 2012.

SBS997A turning out on 83 back to Punggol.

SBS997A with a 12m DM B10M MK IV.

A Duple Metsec bodied B10M MK III (front) with a MK IV behind

....which was derived from the retired Volvo B10M MK II (Duple Metsec)

Volvo B10M MK II (Duple Metsec (Photo source - Rainbowbus)

Another difference between the MK IV DM and the Superlong is the rear - SBS997A's rear is tapered to prevent it from hitting things when turning. The tapered rear is also present on SBS998Y.

SBS997A's tapered rear. Due to the length of the bus, a "Long Vehicle" sign was installed beside the license plate, together with a warning bumper sticker.

SBS998Y's tapered rear (Photo source - Christopher Lee)

And a comparison of the tapered rear with the standard rear



The rear of the MK IV and MK IV Superlong

The interior for SBS997A is largely similar to the unrefurbished DM Volvo B10M MK IV, save for a few differences.



Interior of SBS888G, a (now retired) unrefurbished DM bodied MK IV .

Interior of SBS997A

The front view~

The differences include

• Yellow grab poles with ribbings for extra grip for passengers.
• Full length parallel lighting on SBS997A vs Staggered lighting on the DM B10M MK IVs.
• Extra seatings due to the increased length

And also above the right wheelarch, the side facing seats in the DM MK IV are configured as bench front/back facing seas on the Superlong.




Front/back wheelarch seating instead of side facing seats, may be due to the increase length allowing for legroom for such configuration.

Misc stuffs:

A fan-type thing on the ceiling of the bus, and part of the parallel lighting is shown here.



Some speaker behind the drive cabin, and the "Licensed to Carry" sticker has modified numbers for the legal carrying capacity of SBS997A.

Above the driver's cabin - Licensed to carry sticker and chassis plate.

Mobitec signage controller~

Information plates on SBS997A, together with the SBS sticker that says "assembled in BA/HG" (Bus Assembly/Hougang).

SBS997A!

The left wheelarch housing, where the farecard validator used to stand and also houses the first aid kit. The wiring for the side Mobitec signage can be seen.

The rear facing seat beside the Mobitec side signage.

The full length parallel lighting turned on.

SBS997A arriving Punggol Interchange

SBS997A on Off Service

Ex-SBS Leyland Olympian 2 axles/ Walter Alexander R YL8508R (SBS7196Z) 9 Apr 2012 4:10 AM (13 years ago)

YL8508R at Pat's Schoolhouse.

New in service as SBS7196Z, it was converted near the end of its lifespan to a gym/playground for children known as Bobbie the Gymbus and was re-registered as YL8508R. Apart from the current livery and the interior modifications, it is the last very near intact Leyland Olympian 2 axles with Walter Alexander R bodywork in Singapore while most of its cousins were scrapped.

The offside of YL8508R as seen from the outside of the compound.

The rear of the bus as seen from outside.

The full length of the Leyland Olympian 2 axles.

The rear of the bus as seen in the compound.

Closeup of the Alexander R rear.

The emergency exit door, with the older white panel from the (what used to be rear row of seats) still intact)

The expired road tax and stuffs.

This used to be a square destination plate holder, with the door opening button and the signal indicator.

The front steps were laid with a new flooring which continues into the bus.

From the entrance, the driver's cabin can be seen.

Driving cab of the Leyland Olympian 2 axles.

View of the dashboard,which is covered in a lot of dust.

The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) plate mounted on the left side of the dashboard.

The onboard fan for the driver.

Leyland logo, fuel indicator and the ignition button (?)

The driving gear selector, handbrake and the door opening and closing buttons.

Right above the driver,  the switches for controlling the fans for internal air circulation.

The olden type of periscope for viewing by the bus captain to the upper deck.

And the entire view of the front windscreen from the former side facing seats in the interior.

Alexander R front view from interior with the SBS plate retained.

Close up of the former registration plate number of the Leyland Olympian 2 axles..

A red notice cautioning the non-SBS driver(s) of the bus that this is a 4.44m high double decker bus.

The non-functioning door, with the older type of bigger leaf with smaller leaf door system used on older SBS buses.

And behind the front left windscreen :

The old bus stopping bell placement facing outwards. Today's modern buses do not feature this anymore.

The interior of the lower deck. There used to be seats and partioning but were removed.

The exit doors were retained, though the steps are probably hidden from view.

The view from the rear to the front.

The lower deck rear window. With most of the current double deckers (excluding the currently still in service Volvo Olympian 2 axles non-aircon buses), the lower deck rear window will soon walk into history.

The staircase leading up to the upper deck.

The older type of periscope for the driver only sees the portion after the staircase, newer double deckers had the mirror above at the front.

The upper deck Alexander R front view from the interior, with the SBS plates retained.

The old SBS plate with the current YL registration plate.

The upper deck from front to rear.

And the view from rear to front.

The sticker warning against litering in the (SBS) bus, hidden above the window of the rear deck.

Bobbie the gymbus, photo from http://gymbus.blogspot.com/

And this is the mascot for Bobbie the gymbus.

Mascot, photo from http://gymbus.blogspot.com/

The offside of the Qbuzz Leyland Olympian 2 axles.

The nearside of the Qbuzz Leyland Olympian 2 axles.

The current fate of Bobbie the gymbus is unknown as of today, according to the Pat's schoolhouse management, it may be heading for the scrapyard or will be refurbished.

My special thanks to the Pat's Schoolhouse (Jubilee)'s management for allowing the documenting of this bus.

LECIP Electronic Destination Signage for Volvo Super Olympians 11 Jan 2012 8:06 PM (14 years ago)

Following up on the previous post on LECIP EDSes upgrade on the older double deckers (CDGE B9TL and Volvo Olympian 3 axles batch 3),  I wrote that "And after the installation is complete for the CDGE B9TLs, the next to recieve a LECIP upgrade might be the Volvo Super Olympian fleet, as the oldest VO3X batch 3 recieved its LECIP upgrade due to it still having a long (service) lifespan with SBS Transit".

And on the 2nd last day of 2011 (30th Dec 2011), SBS9822L was the first Volvo Super Olympian to have the LECIP EDS upgrade, using the size of signage from the CDGE B9TL. The original red borders are not changed to black as with the VO3X batch 3 upgrades.

SBS9822L on 65 as it approached Tampines.

Unlike previous upgrades which utilised the side destination plate holder box, the electronic signage on SBS9822L is mounted on top (similar to the Wright B9TLs)

SBS9839P, with the side destination holder at the bottom of the left window.

About a week later, the signage was changed to a bigger one, giving it an appearance similar to SBS9810X. (Yea, the photo below looks edited/photoshopped, most likely due to the existing red border that many are familiar with).

A big signage similar to the one used on the Wright B9TL batch 3 was fitted in place of the original small signage. The side signage remains unchanged.

The Volvo Super Olympian's plastic signage holder space seems to be able to accomodate a big electronic signage as part of its design, as seen on the then-SBS9888Y Volvo Super Olympian demonstrator (burnt down in a depot fire) and SBS9810X, hence the bigger LECIP signage is a welcome change from the previous small signages seen on the other 2 models given it is now more visible.

Though adding in the black borders could help in aiding visibility too.

SMRT Buses : Nissan Diesel U31RCN/ Fuji Heavy Industries 5 Jan 2012 4:32 AM (14 years ago)

The Nissan Diesel U31RCN was brought in in 1993 by Trans Island Bus Services (more commonly known as TIBS) from Japan. It would be the last Nissan Diesel U31 series bus which was brought by Trans Island in both original airconditioned (OAC) and the non-airconditioned (NAC) before TIBS went on to purchase mostly European brands (with the exception of Hino HS3KRKA/KRKK with Volgren bodywork).

The previous U31 series, U31F and U31SCN had already been phased out.

U31F (Photo from the old TIBS website)

U31SCN (Photo from the old TIBS website)

U31RCN, TIB362M when brand new. Photo from the old TIBS website.

All 3 variants of the Nissan Diesel U31 were fitted with Fuji Heavy Industries' R15/5E bodywork (with slight variations between the 3 models). The U31RCN is powered by the Nissan PE6H Diesel (emission standard EEC 2403) coupled with a ZF4HP500 automatic gearbox.

Though the U31RCN is the only U31 series model to be fitted with a LAWO flipdot signage. The chassis uses leaf spring suspension, sometimes giving commuters a bouncy ride.

The good old Nissan Diesel PE6H.

Words cannot describe the nostalgic feeling that you get when you see this bus on the modern roads of today. The design of the bodywork in Singapore today gives it a very retro look and sometimes look a bit out of place at times with modern Singapore. Not to mention the feeling that you travelled back in time when you board one of the U31RCN with its interior which by today can be considered retro.

The U31RCN buses has also been frequently mistaken as a bus that is older than what its real age is due to the design.

Unlike the front signage which is a large board of flipdots, the side signage only consist of 3 distinct flipdot areas allowing for a maximum of 3 numbers or characters to be displayed.

The side signage.

City Shuttle Service (also known as CSS) brought in both the OAC and the NAC versions for plying on their various CSS routes.

TIB369U seen arriving on 854.at Yishun Int.

As part of an effort to achieve a 100% fully air conditioned fleet, TIBS's NAC buses underwent conversion to become a converted air conditioned (CAC). For the U31RCN NAC buses they were fitted with the same Fuji airconditioning unit as the OAC cousins, but the sliding windows were bolted shut instead of being replaced with full glass windows, as with many other TIBS converted airconditioned buses such as the Mercedes O405 (Hispano CAC) and the then-unrefurbished Scania L113CRL ELBO buses.

CSS194M, one of the few converted air conditioned U31RCN which was transferred to SMRT Buses' fleet while retaining the CSS registration number.

Both the OAC and the CAC variant parked at Geylang Lor 1. (TIB369U & CSS194M) in late December 2011

The bumper/headlamp cluster

Towing load sign at the bumper area.

Nissan Diesel's wing mirror with the rust on the bus.

A destination signage holder together with its slightly newer counterpart, the flipdot signage behind the glass window.

Apparently a feature unique only on the CSS Nissan Diesels, there is a fluorescent light tube that illuminates the entrance and exit. According to sources, it was used back in the 90s when the street lighting was not very good.

Entrance illiumination

Exit illumination

And there is a grab bar outside of the bus just right outside at the exit door to facilitate alighting.

The grab pole on the outside of the bus.

Though the interior writeup will mostly feature the converted airconditioned variant, the original airconditioned variant has mostly identical feature sets. The CAC bus featured is CSS194M, which is about to be retired as of this posting, with the revenue service equipments removed.

The unique steps at the front entrance

The space is allocated so as to allow the folding leafs of the door to move freely.

The folding door with the grab pole for boarding.

The front door when closed.

The badging and chassis/engine number of the bus, with the front door mechanism just below.

The driver dashboard. Retro goodness.

To the right of the dashboard, the old style flick switch to activate the opening and closing of the entrance/exit doors.

The gear selector switch and the lights towards the left of the dashboard

Engine temperature and air pressure to the left of the gearbox selector switch.

The various switches to activate power for the EDS, interior lighting, EDS controller and interior fan selector. It reminds one of a very old house which uses similar looking switches.

The LAWO signage controller

The Fuji airconditioning switch.

The first aid kit box behind behind the driver. This bus has been removed from revenue service, hence the first aid kit is not present. There's a slot for putting a lock on it.

And not forgetting the green bus stopping bell in front, with the spotlight on the ceiling that illuminates the entrance at night.

The entrance door. "No Standing On Steps"

The original seat covers on the OAC was a grey and blue fabric seat covers, while the NAC/CAC was a brown PVC seat covers before refurbishments. The U31RCN was the last in the TIBS fleet to be using bench seatings; newer buses brought by TIBS featured individual seatings mostly by Vogelsitze.

Also due to the lower floorline, the seats above all the wheel arches are raised slightly higher than usual and there are raised metal foot rests installed for the passengers to put their feet on.

OAC interior

Original interior of an OAC Nissan Diesel (Photo by Public Transport Hub)

Refurbished interior of an OAC

NAC/CAC interior

The original NAC/CAC interior before refurbishments (Photo from the old TIBS website)

Refurbished interior of a CAC

On this particular converted airconditioned bus CSS194M, it was possible to open the sliding windows.

A window opened up.

  

No smoking, eating and drinking and durians are allowed on the bus.

This two are ventilation slots that can be opened and convert an OAC bus to an NAC bus in case of an aircon breakdown to continue service, and allow more fresh air to be blown into a NAC. Today, any aircon breakdowns == declare bus breakdown.

Aircon ductings. When it was NAC, this channeled fresh air ino the bus.

The Fuji aircon filter.

Just above the left wheel arch, the farecard validator and the ticket dispenser.

The emergency door cock is right beside the front door at the wheelarch.

The wheel arch is very big.

On the left front wheelarch, and the metal foot rest for both the back facing and foward facing passengers.

The same for the right front wheel arch.

The priority seats are smaller than the regular seats, due to the accomodation of the sliding door pocket.

The pocket that holds the sliding door.

The sliding door, with the exit sign, spotlight and red door closing sign.

Both the door and the pocket side by side.

The steps and the bin. The photoelectric sensor (safety feature, in blue) was  not a feature fitted when the U31RCNs were first brought in, but was an upgrade for enhance passenger safety.

A sign for opening the sliding exit door in an emergency found beside the door.

The bus stopping light in the middle of the bus. The yelow strip running in the middle of the bus is also a bus stopping bell strip, which is not featured in the newer buses of today.

The bus stopping bell and the button together.

A ventilation fan near the rear of the bus. There are two of them on the bus.

Towards the rear half of the U31RCN

More foot rest for the seats above the left rear wheel arch....

and the right rear wheel arch.

And all the seat covers are white backing too!

The Emergency Exit door. 4 Generations of stickers, The sticker on the door should be the original sticker in traditional Mandarin.

Wear and tear, and the tradiational Mandarin character for open under "To Open".

TIB365E on off service reaching Yishun Interchange.

TIB1255H, the only CSS converted TIB rego CAC U31RCN to be still in service in 2011/2012 before eventual retirement.

SBS Transit / NTU / THU : Higer KLQ6129GQH2 Fuel Cell Bus (RD6066L) 2 Dec 2011 6:46 AM (14 years ago)

The Higer KLQ6129GQH2 Fuel Cell Bus was created to ferry athletes and officials around the Youth Olympics Village which was located at Yunnan Garden Campus in the Nanyang Technological University in August 2010.

According to phsyorg.org : "The hybrid fuel cell-battery bus is a joint research project by Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and China's Tsinghua University (THU) and marks another major step forward in NTU's sustainability research and development."

The bus is zero emission, using a hybrid fuel cell that uses hydrogen and oxygen to transform to electricity, which is stored on in the battery and used to power the bus. It is also low entry, wheelchair accessible bus.

The Higer Fuel Cell Bus @ Wee Kim Wee School of Communications and Information.

The bus was constructed and tested in Suzhou.

On the road, probably under test drive in China. Photo from sgforums user ssvenisu

In front of Higer's company building in China. Photo from sgforums user ssvenisu

In front of Higer's company building in China. Photo from sgforums user ssvenisu

With the Chinese press in Higer's factory. Photo from sgforums user ssvenisu

The "engine" of the bus. Photo from sgforums user ssvenisu

 After arrival to Singapore, it was under trial run, and was photographed by bigbus weblog's blogger.

Seen here driven around NTU with trade plate and SBS Transit livery minus the logo. Photo by bigbus

It was registered as RD6066L (RD standing for Research & Development) in July 2010, was launched with the Sunlong hybrids. It adorned its current blue advertisment "Zer0 Emission, Low noise, Emits Clean Water".

As the Higer departs Boon Lay Interchange. Photo by bigbus.

It was later deployed to do Youth Olympic Games (YOG) internal shuttle, under the plate YOG3419.

On driver familiarisation runs and with a full body YOG livery, YOG3418 making its rounds. Photo by bigbus.

And after the YOG, the bus was parked for a long time in its holding area in NTU.

In the holding area within NTU, seen with ezlink card readers and revenue service equipments.

Which it seems to remain inside until it was moved out to another spot within NTU from 17th Nov 2011 onwards.

Rough translation: To prevent leafs from clogging up and collecting water, please cover up the roof of the bus as soon as possible. Dated 2011.11.17 by THU.

The front of the bus with citybus styling, though the top of the bus looks out of place with a higher roof. .

RD6066L, with its badging  model number KLQ6128GQH2.

The roof of the Higer Fuel Cell vehicle, containing the airconditioning pod and fuel cell equipment. The advantages of this bus is shown in this advertisment in blue and green, together with the NTU and THU university logo..

The side EDS of the bus in close up.

The right side of the bus. The black portion under the driver's window adds a nice touch to the design of the bus.

The proud partners : SBS Transit, Land Transport Authority, Higer, and Sinohytec.

GreenLite. There is a rear camera mounted on the roof to aid the driver, and a long rear EDS is installed.

The rear enigne cover, with the Higer and its mandarin character branding covered by the advertisment livery.

*The bus interior is photographed from the outside of the bus through the windows.

The interior of the bus.

The dashboard of the Higer

The driver's cabin, featuring a very colourful seat for the bus captain. The wheelarch seat is right behind the driver's cabin.

HIGER LCD  TV on the front half of the bus, which is said to show the performance, battery level etc.

The left side of low floor interior, featuring 5 priority seats.

The right side of the bus also feature 5 priority seats. Equipments for the bus is seen stacked here.

Equipment is placed at the wheelchair bay.

Yellow plug doors

Another HIGER LCD TV placed for the rear half of the bus. The airconditioning filter cover is similar to the ones used on the Euro V K230UB.

The low entry configuration, rear half of the seats.

Aircon ductings. Photo by Frankie Wong

View from rear to front. Photo by Frankie Wong.

Another view. Photo by Frankie Wong.

The front cabin area of the bus. Photo by Frankie Wong.

As of 3rd Nov 2011, the bus is undergoing conversion to be a fully electric vehicle

The newspaper article on Straits Times, Home Section, B11

The future for hybrid and electric buses. Looking forward to it =)

For more information on the Higer Fuel Cell bus, do check out the links below:
http://www.physorg.com/wire-news/36844408/more-partnerships-in-china.html
http://www.cses.eee.ntu.edu.sg/Activities/Pages/Cell%20Bus.aspx

SBS Transit : Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 (Batch 3) 30 Nov 2011 10:51 PM (14 years ago)

SBS Transit's Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TL have two distinct batches, with the only difference being the first batch of 150 buses having ZF EcoLife 6AP 1410B transmission, and registered between SBS7500D - SBS7686B (excluding regos ending with 4). The second batch however differs in it having Voith DIWA 864.5 transmission, though the specifications remain the same as the first batch. They are currently registered in 77XX series.

However, a third batch made a debut on 23rd Nov 2011, which are registered under SBS3XXX series.

SBS3000G, the first of the 3XXX series Wright B9TL

Externally, SBS3XXX series Wright B9TLs looks very similar to the first two batches, however they are equipped with LECIP electronic destination signages (EDS) instead of Hanover signages. Though they are equipped with the Voith DIWA transmission used in the batch 2 Wrights.

Internally, it is a different story.

100% low floor!

The lower deck is now configured to be 100% fully low floor, utiliing the B9TL's potential as a full low floor double decker. The previous two batches of Wright B9TLs were configured to be low entry. The upper deck remains the same configuration.

The first two batch had low entry configuration, with a step leading to the seats pictured here.

The low floor configuration zero step configuration.

In the thid batch, it is largely similar in layout, however two side facing seats from each side row are now configured to be foward facing seats. They are also redesignated as priority seats.

Both pair of seats (top and bottom) are mounted on the "floor" where the previous two batches , would be the place side facing seat passengers would place their feets on.

There are also minor specifications differences in this third batch.

The first aid kit is originally housed in the Hanover EDS housing in the first two batch.

But in the third batch, it is moved to the front of the bus.

While the side and rear EDS housing is now bigger to accomodate the size of the LEICP signages.

The bigger side EDS housing.

The door closing sign is now angled for better visibility. In the previous 2 batches, the sign is placed as is, and facing downwards to the floor, making it hard to see the door closing lights when the door closes.

The move to configure this batch of Wright B9TL to 100% low floor is an improvement over the previous two batches in terms of accessibility, without needing to climb two steps in order to reach the seats, while some small modifications to the specifications such as the door closing sign and the first aid kit relocated to be more prominent at the front of the bus is a welcome change.

LECIP electronic destination signage (EDS) upgrades 13 Nov 2011 10:19 PM (14 years ago)

As SBS Transit modernises its fleet with new buses, one of the older bus models in the fleet also underwent modernisation with an electronic destination signage (EDS) upgrade. This is due to the new fleet of buses using EDS systems, which renders the plastic signage used by SBS Transit obsolete.

Volvo Olympian 3 axles batch 3 with its LECIP sigange.

The Volvo Olympian 3 axles recieved the LECIP EDS system, which the size of the system fitted into the current desto board slots, without much modifications.

SBS7402D with its 98M plastic destination plate.

The sight of two light bulbs as off service will also be history.

The ComfortDelgro Engineering bodied (CDGE) B9TLs initially did not have EDS as standard.

But on August 2011, LECIP installation had started, with the first CDGE B9TL SBS7392Z recieving its LECIP EDS. More were soon installed on other CDGE B9TLs. the systems fitted on the CDGE B9TLs are more camera friendly then the ones on the VO3X batch 3s.

Oddly, the size of the LECIP system installed on the CDGE B9TL was the same as the ones on the VO3X batch 3, as the CDGE B9TL looks to be able to accomodate a bigger EDS such as a Hanover system used by its younger Wright B9TL cousins.

SBS7392Z : the first CDGE B9TL to recieve a LECIP EDS.

The rear EDS is bigger as compared to the ones fitted on the VO3X batch 3s. Note the defunct rear plastic plate slot in the advertisment.

Transition in progress : LECIP EDS CDGE B9TL side by side with a plastic signage CDGE B9TL.

Most of the Volvo Super Olympian fleet are also using plastic destination board.

SBS9810X with its factory-fitted Transit Media EDS system.

The drawback of LECIP signage system? It is too small to be seen clearly from far, with the route number still squeezed to the right hand side (kerbside) with most of the area dominated by the destination and scrolling route details. All of the font size are also quite small, given that everything is cramped into what used to be just a huge route number signage.


Though defintely, upgrading the older buses with EDS is a good move as part of modernisation, and it allows the bus captain to check and change his signage with a controller at the driver compartment without needing to open up the signage compartment to change the route details/numbers.

**On 30th Dec 2011, SBS9822L was the first in the fleet of Volvo Super Olympians to have the LECIP signage upgrade.

SMRT Buses : MAN NL323F A22 Production Batch / Gemilang (MAN Lion's City Hybrid) (Production batch) 4 Oct 2011 2:54 AM (14 years ago)

SMB191S, the other bus registered.

The launch poster, featuring the Lion mascot.

A paper replica of the MAN NL3232F A22 for the guests.

SMRT Buses : "Bringing you a new travel experience!"

SMB191S exiting Hort Park after the launch.

The rear with advertisement. The tail lamps components uses LED, enhancing visibility.

Alcoa rims!

Gemilang-designed components

The design of the driver cabin is brought over from SMB138Y

Welcome Aboard SMRT!

The similar driving cab.

Interior of SMB189A

The Mobitec electronic display signage (EDS) signage on the production MAN buses have a new longer side EDS signage, replacing the traditional number only display and allowing for the display of route number & route details on the side.

The new long Mobitec side EDS

There is a new EDS formatting that is justified to the left, allowing for more space to show the places passing by in a longer name rather than abbreviations (varies by route details).

The aircon filter is a flat filter intake on the roof, while aircon outlets are not the adjustable types found on the OC500LE and SMB138Y.

The Denso aircon filter is flat, and not the design found on SMB138Y, which protrudes (rather uglily) into the passenger cabin.

The aircon outlet is non-adjustable.

Unlike SMB138Y, there is no wifi/LG advertisement TV fitted.

No mobile advertising/wifi installed.

Like the demo, there is an exta foldable seat at the wheelchair bay.

The door closing system.

Exterior view.

A GIF by SMRT Buses on the door opening and closing.

SMB189A's rear half has a step leading to the rear row of seats. "BEWARE OF STEPS"

Feedbacks saw the step removed and the rear gently sloped up to the rear row of seats from SMB190U onwards. Also there is a headrest on innermost right seat in the second last row.

Gentle slope replaces the step for the other 199 MAN production buses.

On 963E in the morning towards Harbourfront

On 963 at night towards Woodlands Interchange.

For more information on the new MAN A22, do check out this webpage by SMRT: http://smrt.com.sg/manbus/

SMRT Buses : MAN NL323F A22 Production Batch Preview (SMB189A) 16 Sep 2011 12:52 AM (14 years ago)

>> Do read here for the bus interior and debut on 963!

The MAN NL323F A22 production batch buses are in Singapore! First spotted by the photographer behind Public Transport Hub, it generated a buzz for its unconventional design as compared to the the public buses operating in Singapore.

Back in December 2010, the first MAN NL323F A22 SMB138Y was brought in by SMRT for a 1 year trial. The trail was successful, and a batch of 200 MAN NL323Fs were ordered with deliveries commencing from August 2011.

SMB138Y on its first day of revenue service in December 2010

The MAN Lion's City Hybrid. Credits to bayernernst (http://www.flickr.com/photos/67855182@N00/5040775305/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

SMB189A on a test drive.

SMB189A on its way to inspection.

SMB189A's rear.

Cross border fleet change for 170/170X from 29th August 2011 29 Aug 2011 6:01 AM (14 years ago)

Following 160 and 950's fleet change from their respective predecessor buses, 170 and its shortworking cousin 170X recieved its fleet change on 29th August 2011.

Striders make an appearance on 170...

...and on its shortworking cousin 170X!

The DM3500s are now the mainstay for 170's fleet

This bus used to have a Transit Media electronic destination signage system.

Some of the new plates for 170

For 170

170X > Singapore - Kranji MRT

170X > JB -Kotaraya II

And farewell to the MK IIIs that served on 160/170

Cross border fleet change from 1st August 2011. 6 Aug 2011 9:53 AM (14 years ago)

SBS Transit's 170 and 160
There's older buses before this B57 model, but the B57 is the oldest model i remember. We start from the known retired B57 buses on 170

SBS's retired Volvo B57 (from SBS Transit Memory Lane website)

to 170 having B10M MK IIs

A retired Volvo B10M MK II.

to B10M MK IIIs were introduced when 170 became fully air-conditoned service. It was a welcome relief as commuters are spared from breathing in the vehicle exhausts during a jam, and also travel across the two countries in air-conditioned comfort)
 

A MK III (SBS787P) carrying an advertisment for Maybank. Cross border buses rarely has advertisments on it.

With its sister service 160 from Jurong East to Kotaraya II introduced in September 2004, it received the airconditioned MK IIIs.

SBS739D on 160, at Jurong East bound for Kotaraya II Terminal at Johore Bahru.

and now, part of 160's fleet has been replaced with B10M MK IV buses with DM3500 bodywork.

SBS2750G, one of the MK IV DM3500s deployed to 160.

170 has not yet received its deployment of DM3500s yet.

A blue-plate 170.

Currently, the MK IV DM3500s are making up part of the fleet for 160 only, and looks to be a gradual changover; with 160/170's entire fleet expected to be using MK IV DM3500 buses in the coming months.

SMRT Buses.

19 September 2004 saw the introduction of 950 as a competitor/alternative on the cross border services operating between Singapore and Malaysia. The fleet consisted of Hispano O405s since its introduction.

The route details were updated in July 2011 to scroll with route details instead of static "Kotaraya II/Johore Bahru" & "Woodlands Int/Singapore"

TIB968R on 950

The rear of TIB968R, with its Malaysia stickers for entering Malaysia as a revenue service bus.

It is supplemented by a fleet of OC500LEs.

SMB98D on 950

The Malaysian permit sticker.

And the black information sticker has been updated to a newer reflecting the accurate information for the OC500LE.

The old sticker.

The new sticker.

The rear showing the stickers.

The rear of the OC500LE with its Malaysia stickers for entering Malaysia as a revenue service bus.

The predecessor and successor for O405s for 950, the Hispano O405 in front, and the Volgren O405 at the back.

This also marks the first time where two models from each of the company is running on their respective service (exception of service 170 as it has not received MK IV DM3500s yet)

All info are as of 3rd August 2011.

SMRT Buses' fleet of new buses 15 Jul 2011 7:20 AM (14 years ago)

MAN A22/MCV eVolution

SMB138Y, MAN A22 demonstrator with MCV bodywork

SMRT Buses has made a purchase for a fleet of MAN A22 low floor buses worth over $65 million! As the press release mentions that it will utilise the sliding plug doors, which suggests that the bodywork could be the smart-looking MCV eVolution bodywork that is used on the demonstrator SMB138Y. Delieveries of the MAN A22 buses will start from August 2011 to end-2012.

The press release from ST Engineering.
http://www.stengg.com/pressroom/press_releases_read.aspx?paid=1734

ZhongTong Hybrid LCK6121GHEV

ZhongTong Hybrid LCK6121GHEV

The first hybrid for SMRT Buses, and the second China-made public bus is now laid up till 28th June 2012, given the 6 months trial that started in January was up. There is no information available if the bus will stay beyond the 6 months trial as of July 2011.

BYD electric buses

BYD K9 Electric bus (Photo by Chinabuses.org)

Given the trial of the hybrid Zhongtong (which uses diesel and electricity to run) has ended, a greener alternative of electricity-only 10 BYD e-buses will be brought in by SMRT Buses. The model is not stated in the press release, however it is speculated that the K9 bus will be brought in.

http://www.chinabuses.org/news/2011/0607/article_4365.html

Sentosa buses' new livery! 18 Jun 2011 11:15 PM (14 years ago)

The old livery of the buses that are operating in Sentosa will soon be updated with a fresh new livery! It now features Sentosa as "Asia's Favourite Playground"

Old and New livery on a Liannex bodied Volvo B7R coach.

Old livery

The old livery on the left

The old livery on the right

The old livery at the rear.

New livery

The new livery on the left

The new livery on the right

The new livery on the rear.

The old and new livery pictured together.

Old and New livery on a Liannex bodied Volvo B7RLE citybus

The old livery on the left

The old livery on the right

The new livery on the left

The new livery at the rear.

The rear of the old livery, pictured together with the new livery together at the terminal.

The new livery looks very refreshing and stylish, with its fluid lines flowing about the bus and a darker orange colour paint theme.

And there's a new Sentosa bus model that has the old livery on it. There is a possibility that Sentosa might release it in the new livery. More information of the new Sentosa bus can be found here. Though the old one is phased out.

The new and old diecast together. The right one (old model) is phased out. (unwatermarked photo is used by orientalmodelbuses.co.uk for their page feature for international viewers.)

The new model features a Liannex bodied Volvo B7R. It retails for SG$15 and is available at the following Sentosa outlets - The Merlion Tower, Merlion Plaza, Sentosa Boardwalk, Waterfront Sentosa Express Station, Images of Singapore and Oscar & Co at Beach Station.

SBS Transit : Mercedes Benz Citaro O530 / EvoBus 6 Jun 2011 6:30 AM (14 years ago)

300 buses are ordered by SBS Transit as announced by Daimler on its press release.

SBS Transit's Citaro's features set is very similar to the SMRT Buses' production batch Citaro; there are only minor configuration/specification differences between the SBST and SMRT version. Therefore we recommend to further read the production batch Citaro's writeup to compliment this article.

SBS6000L on 28 is the first SBS Transit Citaro to debut on revenue service.

The destination signage is by LAWO, the same as SMRT's Citaro specification with its LAWO Benefit system. All SBS Transit Citaros are fitted with Alcoa rims as standard as it is lighter.

The front rims captures attention with its unique design and Mercedes Benz badge in the middle, adding a classy feel to the entire bus.

The front Alcoa rims have the Mercedes Benz rim caps installed.

The rear of the Citaro

 The placement of the rear signage is customised by SBS Transit to be placed on the top left.

Interior

Going on board the Citaro.

Stickers pasted by SBS Transit to caution passengers to stand clear of doors

Passenger handrails are purple.

The fire extinguisher compartment is covered up and flush with the interior.

The door movement area stickers is now curved instead of the triangles found on the previous low floor wheelchair accessible buses.

The dashboard console. The small Voith lettering can be seen gear selector's N button.

The information sticker advising passengers to pay the correct fares is above the bus captain.

The signage controller, CCTV screen and additional vents located above the driver.

The door system and emergency control.

The interior of SBS Transit's Citaro is configured with SBS Transit's standard colours of red/yellow seat covers and purple grab poles. The brown colour from the Gemilang bodied K230UBs is not used, instead grey and white is the interior colour.

The bus stopping sign says "Stopping".

Speakers. Though there are no announcements played.

The aircon ductings have advertisment panel holders installed.

The aircondition filter.

The entire front half of the bus is designated for priority seats (marked with yellow seats) on the non-step space.

The interior of SBS Transit's Citaro.

The left wheelarch seat.

Grab poles behind the left wheelarch seats.

The right wheelarch seat.

The grabpoles behind the right wheelarch seats. the grey colour thing could be a headrest of sorts for the rear-facing seats.

The left rear facing seats, with a grabpole installed.

And also at this rear facing seat for one adult and one child only, with another grabpole installed.

Left side seats.

And the right side seats.

The space in the aisle at the front half of the bus is adequate

The Passenger-In-Wheelchair (PIW) bay/standee area.

Two posters describing the features of the new Citaro.

The PIW bay as seen from the back.

The door closing sign and emergency control.

Wheelchair ramp.

The rear half of the bus.

The left wheelarch seats.

The wheelarch seats on the right arch.

The seat is higher and will leave the feet dangling in the air.

The rear row of seats.

Part of the engine components is housed here.

Please mind your head sticker. There is also a CCTV camera to provide a view of the rear, complimenting the installed CCTV systems.

Please move to the rear plate, instead of small "Please move to the rear" stickers.

The blue touch-sensitive Passenger In Wheelchair button.

Bus stopping bell.

Wheel chocks comes as standard in the Citaros.

YM6115Z - I Love Children Bus 2 Jun 2011 6:37 AM (14 years ago)

The Volvo Olympian 2 axle convertd to YK6115Z parked at Peck Seah Street.

EXTERIOR

A Volvo Olympian 2 axle with SBS Transit on revenue service.

The bumper was repainted.

The right side of the bus.

The non-airconditioned sliding windows are all replaced with wall blocks and vents and fitted with its own power converter to power the utilities inside the bus. The bus is airconditioned for comfort of the visitors, though it is not the regular bus air conditioner fitted on double deckers.

The rear of the bus.

The rear of the bus sees the lower deck's rear window replaced with a grille, presumably for the power converter's heat exchanger.

The features in the bus is powered by an external generator instead of the bus engine for power source.

Interior/ Lower Deck

Stepping on board the MILK/I Love Children Bus's lower deck brings a familiar sense of familiarity.

The empty spaces where the revenue collection equipment used to be.

For your safety, please stand clear of doors - the old SBS sticker.

A mat to welcome visitors on board. The original door system is also retained.

The driver's compartment.

The vehicle identification number plate of the bus.

The lower deck's interior is refurbished to blue, with home-type wooden flooring that replaced the original VO2X's flooring.

The lower deck's interior.

This was where the TransitLink farecard/ticket dispenser machine was located.

There is a speaker above the space.

The bench seats, validator space, signage box and windows have all been replaced by a table and a wall.

The Volvo Olympian's exit door system is retained. There is no difference in the external appearance of the door.

Two manual locks ensure the doors stay locked and cannot be opened from the outside. The SBS & SBS Transit stickers are retained on the doors together with the door closing sign and door cock.

Towards the rear half however, the familiarity of a Volvo Olympian 2 axle's interior is gone.

An extra ladder installed behind the primary staircase that leads to the upper deck.

There used to be bench seats at this area, now replaced by wall.

Used to have bench seats too. Note the power outlet on the bottom right.

Towards the rear, the wheel arch floor space is reconfigured to be behind the steps and the two blocks on the left and the right.

Let's head upstairs!

The foot of the staircase on the lower deck.

Interior/Upper Deck

A view of the staircase. The walls are all pasted with information stickers, and the original staircase handrail is also changed.

Up the staircase. The fire extinguisher glass was cleaned up.

Following the footsteps.

The front windscreen and all of the windows are blocked off by the wall, and the original lighting positions seems to be retained.

A single bench seat installed. There used to be two front-facing seats here.

Front to rear after the staircase.

The ladder as seen on the upper deck to return to the lower deck.

Even though old buses are retired when reaching the statutory age of 17 years in Singapore, they have a new lease of life if sold off/donated to other organisations, serving a new purpose for the public.

Many thanks to I Love Children for allowing the photography of the ex-SBS Transit Volvo Olympian 2 axle YM6115Z on their event "I Love Children Bus Roving @ Peck Seah Street."

The new Mercedes Benz Citaro 2011 30 May 2011 5:58 AM (14 years ago)

One of SMRT Buses' 11 Citaro (SMB136C, SMB139U to SMB148T)

SBS Transit's incoming 300 Citaros

The new Mercedes Benz Citaro. Wallpaper photo courtesy of Mercedes Benz.

In short, it's very impressive!