- the bus is bodied by Gemilang Coachworks Sdn. Bhd.
- the engine used is the Scania DC918 engine which is Euro IV compliant. It has a capacity of 8867cc, similar
   to that of the existing Euro IV Scania K230UBs. The engine is coupled to a ZF 6HP602CN transmission.
- Hanover EDS is chosen for the destination display.
- aircon is manufactured by Carrier.
- it has a seating layout of H55/28D with one wheelchair bay.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
www.3cubian.com

Released in Hong Kong today is the 1/76 scale Morris FG lorry, registration no. AK 2893, from Best Choose (10762). It is expected to retail for HK$63.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Vincent Chong

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Grant Ng Kwok Kuen

Several new buses have been noted on the streets of Hong Kong today, two of which are pictured above. Fleet no. 4021 (PD 9799) is one of the second batch of 11.3 metre Alexander Dennis Enviro500s for New World First Bus and was captured in King's Road, North Point (Metropole Building Bus Stop). Note the revised upper 'Roadshow' screen, similar to that featured on the recent Enviro400s. PD 7829 is one of at least 4 new 12 metre Enviro500s recently put into service by Long Win Bus.

Further photographs have just been added to the  section of the site.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Edward Yeo

The above photograph confirms that SMRT Buses have put their new fully low-floor Mercedes-Benz Citaro O530 (Citaro) into service. It is seen here operating route 855 on a wet and stormy 19th March. Again, this and another phototograph have tonight been added to the  section.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Jacky Ho

My thanks to Jacky Ho for sending me photographs of an 'Airbus' liveried Kowloon Motor Bus Dennis Lance (92401) with additional printing on both rear sides, which read 'Welcome to 2008 Beijing'. Further photos will be added as soon as time allows.

Best Choose are set to release a 1/76th scale Morris FG lorry shortly, as confirmed in the above flyer.
 

The air-conditioned Dennis Jubilant/Alexander will be a Drumwell model (DW10904) featuring CF4180 on route 206 to Mei Foo. It will be limited to 1,000 pieces and is expected to be released in April.

The green Neoplan Centroliner is again a Drumwell model (DW10109) and features AP131 on route 60X to Tuen Mun Central. This is limited to 1,800 pieces and is expected to be released in May.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Donald MacRae

My thanks to Donald MacRae for sending me a good selection of photographs of Stagecoach's former Citybus Olympian 145 (now 13625 - H511 FRP) now carrying a new livery.

Stagecoach has joined forces with the UK's largest independent hospital provider BMI Healthcare to launch a voluntary heart health screening programme for employees in its UK Bus division. A state-of-the-art 'Healthy Heart Bus' – the first of its kind in the UK - will tour Stagecoach's bus depots, providing free heart health check-ups for thousands of staff.

The double-decker vehicle has been specially designed in partnership with BMI Healthcare and was refurbished by Plaxton Limited as a mobile cardio-screening unit equipped with patient consultation facilities and the latest exercise electrocardiogram (ECG) equipment.

I hope to add further photographs shortly.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Neo Cheung

Not previously reported is the release, in late January, of this 1:60 scale Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX500 from 80M Bus Model Shop (16022). In a plain orange livery, it is on route 701 to Mong Kok. It carries no certificate, fleet number or registration number. Again my thanks to Neo Cheung for providing this news and photograph.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Philip Chan

The latest edition of 'KMB today' confirms the planned release of KMB's green Neoplan Centroliner AP131 on either route 60X or 104. It will be limited to 1,800 pieces and is expected to retail for HK$298. 

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Afiq Azman 

Following yesterday's report on SMRT's new full low-floor Mercedes-Benz Citaro, I am very grateful to Afiq Azman for sending me a selection of photographs taken at taken at the handover ceremony, one of which is shown above. Further photographs have just been added to the  section of the site.

MEDIA RELEASE - 9th March 2010 SMRT INTRODUCES SOUTHEAST ASIA’S FIRST FULL LOW FLOOR EURO 5 BUS PROVIDING GREATER ACCESSIBILITY FOR PASSENGERS 1. Commuters can look forwarding to riding on Southeast Asia’s first full low floor, easy access bus – the Euro 5 Mercedes-Benz Citaro O530. This new bus is also greener due to its greater fuel efficiency. It will be put on the road for a one-year trial starting 16 March 2010 and will ply various trunk and feeder service routes. Passengers are welcome to give their feedback to SMRT. 2. The Citaro’s unique low floor feature is made possible because of its smaller rear, side-mounted engine. This, combined with a lighter bus weight, has enhanced fuel efficiency, making it an even more environmentally-friendly bus. Being a Euro 5 bus, the Citaro O530 meets higher emission standards, with 42 per cent less harmful nitrous oxide pollutants in compared to Euro 4 buses. The Citaro also has full side kneeling capability – 240mm at the front door and rear doors – allowing for smooth passenger entry and exit.  3. Vice President, SMRT Buses Ms Kang Huey Ling shared: “SMRT is constantly finding ways to improve commuter experience. We work with manufacturers to bring in vehicles that are best-in-class to suit our customers’ needs. Since we launched Southeast Asia’s first Euro 5 wheelchair accessible bus in April 2008, we have received positive feedback from commuters, and also suggestions on how their travel experience can be improved. With this new bus and its fully low floor, it will allow passengers like the elderly easier access to seats at the back of the bus, thus ensuring smoother passenger flow. We hope this will make our commuters’ journey more enjoyable.” 4. The Citaro bus was unveiled in a ceremony this afternoon at SMRT Ang Mo Kio Depot, when it was handed over to SMRT President & CEO Ms Saw Phaik Hwa by Daimler Bus (Germany) Executive Managing Director Mr Michael Gopfarth. The event was graced by guests from Mercedes-Benz, Cycle and Carriage, Friends of SMRT and green organizations such as the National Environment Agency. 5. SMRT welcomes feedback from passengers on the new Citaro bus at www.smrt.com.sg/citaro.

On 16th March,  2010, SMRT Buses will roll out a one-year trial for the Euro 5 Mercedes-Benz Citaro O530 (Citaro), a full low floor bus that provides greater accessibility for passengers. The bus, which is also greener, is made and assembled in Germany, with a fully-integrated, light-weight body, allowing for lesser vibration and a quieter and more comfortable journey on the road.

The bus can accommodate around 80 passengers (37 seating, 44 standing) and one passenger-in-wheelchair (PIW). SMRT will rotate the bus to ply both trunk and feeder service routes to gather feedback from passengers.

The bus was registered as SMB 0136C on 8th March and will initially operate Service 855 running between Yishun and Harbourfront. 

More details can be found at the SMRT Buses website.

Once again, my thanks to Jay Tan and Wei Shen for providing this additional information. 

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
80M Bus Model Shop

Thanks to 80M Bus Model Shop for sending me a selection of photographs of the forthcoming Long Win Alexander Dennis Enviro500 (39408). As reported last month, it features fleet no. 8403 (NV 3983) on route E33 to Tuen Mun Town Centre. It will be limited to 1,800 pieces and will retail for HK$298. 
 

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Singapore Civil Defence Force 

A fire broke out at SBS Transit Ang Mo Kio Depot this morning.  Six double-deckers were destroyed by the fire, these being SBS 7440T a Volvo B9TL Olympian, SBS 9163E a Leyland Olympian, SBS 9174Z a Leyland Olympian, SBS 9188J a Leyland Olympian, SBS 9619H a Volvo Olympian and SBS 9888Y a Volvo B10TL Super Olympian/Volgren Demonstrator. All six buses plied the No.25 route from Ang Mo Kio interchange to Bedok interchange.

My thanks to Jay Tan, Wei Shen and Edward Yeo for reporting the above.