News - February 2021

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	*February 2021* *- News*
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BR Bus Model has released two further versions of it's Kowloon Motor Bus Mercedes-Benz O305 casting, both of which feature ME36 (DG5708) in an all-over advertising livery for Route 3, is a series of expressways in Hong Kong that runs from Sai Ying Pun on Hong Kong Island to Yuen Long in the New Territories, linking West Kowloon, Kwai Chung and Tsing Yi. The wording on the side of the bus reads 'The fastest way to the New Territories.

One is on route 70 to Jordan Road Ferry whilst the other is on route 76K to Yuen Long (West) (BR024 and BR025 - unsure which is which at present).

Brand Hong Kong has updated it's image, applying this new and colourful livery to at least two four buses, the first being New World First Bus 12.8 metre ADL 'facelift' Enviro500 6197 (VG3762). My thanks to GA6479's Photo Album for allowing me to share the above photographs, both of which are 'clickable'.

The second is Citybus 12 metre ADL Enviro500NG 8329 (SE3989) noted earlier today operating route 5B.

The third and fourth both feature Kowloon Motor Bus buses, Wrights Gemini bodied Volvo B9TL AVBWU125 (PX2169) and 12 metre ADL 'facelift' Enviro500 ATENU1243 (VA8980).

I would happily take a model of this livery!

28th February 2021

BRUCE LEE - ONE TO GO

Tiny has released all three of the above Bruce Lee 80th anniversary liveried buses in 1/110 scale and 80M Bus Model has released, in 1/76 scale, the yellow and red versions, leaving just the black Wrights Gemini bodied Volvo B9TL to go.

My thanks to Neo Cheung for providing details of this pre-production model of P&T Model Leyland Olympian 3BL1, and the full details and photographs have tonight been added to the Xtra section of the site.

25th February 2021

Just a few, thirty-five in fact, new 12.8 metre MCV bodied Volvo B8Ls for Long Win Bus. My thanks to Man Fai Wong for allowing me to share his photographs.

These plastic 1/43 scale remote control Wrights Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B8Ls are expected soon.

24th February 2021

The above article was published in Diecast Collector magazine twenty years ago this month.

The China Motor Bus Dennis Dominator was, in fact, the one and only release from Model Express Company, whereas Cars Workshop went on to issue around one-hundred and eighty models, the last being a trio of Nissan Echo public light buses in January 2019. Creative Master Northcord released around twenty-six Hong Kong/Singapore models, the last being in 2014. Corgi, who dominated the early Hong Kong model bus market, bowed out of this market in 2007, their final offering being a Kowloon Motor Bus 'Year of the Pig' liveried Volvo Olympian issued in January 2007. At that time they had issued almost one-hundred 1/76 scale bus models.

This article was written by the late Vic Davey, who contributed greatly to this site over the years.

Pictured above are two new Tiny 1/110 scale models. The first is Long Win Bus ADL 12.8 metre 'facelift' Enviro500 1549 (WA4616) on route A47X (Box 77/ATC65231). Below is a Members Edition plated Kowloon Motor Bus ADL Enviro500 ATEU21 (PT6310) on route 888 (KMB2020057).

NEW ORDER TAKES HONG KONG OPERATOR KMB'S ALEXANDER DENNIS
ENVIRO 500 DOUBLE DECK FLEET TO OVER 2,500

Published 22 Feb 2021

Alexander Dennis Limited (“ADL”), a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. (“NFI”), one of the world’s largest independent global bus manufacturers, today announced that Hong Kong’s largest bus operator The Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited (“KMB”) has ordered 56 Enviro500 three-axle double deck buses. The new buses are scheduled to be delivered in the second half of 2021.

KMB is the largest franchised bus operator in Hong Kong with a fleet of around 4,000 buses operating on over 400 routes. KMB’s new Enviro500 will be 12.8m long and powered by low emission Euro 6 engines. They will be able to carry up to 143 passengers, with all 98 seats fitted with three-point safety belts.

This new order continues a long-standing relationship between Alexander Dennis and KMB, who have now ordered over 2,500 Enviro500 buses from Alexander Dennis since the current generation model was launched in 2012.

Paul Davies, Alexander Dennis President & Managing Director, comments: “We are very honoured that KMB continues to place its confidence in Alexander Dennis with this latest order for 56 double deck buses. KMB continually challenges us to raise the bar and these latest 12.8m Enviro500 buses are testament to their commitment to world class passenger services.”

23rd February 2021

I have been carrying out maintenance work on the site, including the addition of an SSL certificate, meaning a padlock should appear ahead of 'orientalmodelbuses.co.uk' in your browser, as displayed in the two pages above.

Please contact me if this update has affected the appearance of the site in any way - thank you.

22nd February 2021

My thanks to Nixon Lo for advising me of a resin model not previously recorded on the site. It was produced by P&T Model and is believed to have been issued in July 2014. It features a Kowloon Motor Bus liveried three-door Duple Metsec bodied Dennis Dragon 3N9 (DA6922) on route 42A to Cheung Hang and is limited to 400 pieces (B0043).

MTR operated a free shuttle service between Kowloon Tong Station and Hung Hom Station today, using a mixture of vehicles, including non-franchised Citybus Enviro500s. The above images are 'clickable'.

21st February 2021

Described as 'Coming soon' is the Citybus Wrights Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B8L featuring 8806 (WM5165) on route X962 to Tuen Mun Pier (63624/CM167).

Kowloon Motor Bus registered a further seventeen buses yesterday, all of which were 12.8 metre MCV bodied Volvo B8Ls. Noted in service today is V6X70 (XE1149) operating on route 101.

20th February 2021

Now added to the Xtra page of the site that features Shek O Bus Terminus are the above photographs, courtesy of John G Lidstone photography. On the left, and dated 1983, is Guy Arab Mk V M17, whilst on the right is a similar shot taken in 1985 and featuring re-bodied Guy Arab Mk V LX344.

I would recommend taking a look at John's Flickr site, which contains almost 100,000 photographs. The above photographs are taken from his albums, CMB Snapshot 1983 and CMB Snapshot 1985.

Set for release tomorrow in Hong Kong are the four above models:-

KMB Enviro500 ATE232 (LY6518) on route 43 to Tsuen Wan West Station and limited to 500 pieces (KMB2020142).
KMB Enviro500 ATEU11 (PG9225) on route 297 to Hung Hom Ferry - KMB2020091 - 600 pieces
Long Win Bus Enviro500 8518 (RF528) on route E33P to Siu Hong Station - KMB2020090 - 600 pieces
KMB Enviro500 ATEU43 (PB7275) on route 12 to Cheung Sha Wan (Hoi Lai Estate) - KMB2020089 - 600 pieces

Kowloon Motor Bus registered no less than 44 new buses in the past two days. Sun Bus registered it's new Wrights Streetdeck on the 10th February.

18th February 2021

Well, this has to be one of the most bizarre ways of packaging a model bus - Model Bus Evolution Citybus 855, a Duple Metsec bodied Citybus Dennis Dragon, was issued this day back in 2001 (MB101(a))

15th February 2021

A new section has now been added to the Books page of the Xtra section of the site for the catalogues of the various model manufacturers.

Joining the line-up of Long Win Wrights Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B8Ls at Tai Po are new buses for Kowloon Motor Bus. On 9th February, KMB entered into a contract with Volvo for the supply of a further 40 Euro VI 12.8 metre completely built up buses at a cost of GBP 11.16 million. Also noted in this contract is an agreement, dated 6th November 2020, to supply and install an Electronic Stability Control System and Speed Limiting Retarder System for 795 KMB/LWB buses. The final part of this latest agreement relates to the bus body conversion project for 10 units of LWB buses by Volvo Bus HK at the consideration of HKD 1.68 million, presumably these being the Long Win buses pictured above.

14th February 2021

New pages have been added for the three NP Model Neoplan Centroliner models mentioned below:-

AP88 (JV7012) in champagne on route 264R to Yuen Long (Express) and limited to 200 pieces - NP1023
AP88 (JV7012) in all-over Park Yoho Milano advertising on route 264R to Yuen Long (Express) and limited to 200 pieces - NP1023A (assumed model no.)
AP142 (KR4350) in champagne on route 16 to Lam Tin (Kwong Tin Estate) and limited to 120 pieces - NP1025

A new page has been added to the Xtra section of the site that includes further photographs of the New Lantao Bus 'Year of the Ox' decorated ADL Enviro400.

Hong Kong Airport Services (HAS) has taken delivery of some new ADL Enviro200s. Fleet no. C07 (XC2294) is pictured top whilst C04 (XC3992) and C05 (XC3876) await registration.

13th February 2021

New Lantao Bus ADL Enviro400 AD07 (VR2286) has received 'Year of the Ox' all-over decals, apparently sponsored by Network Shuttle, so no doubt a model will follow.

Following on from yesterday's news, here are a couple of photographs of the Park Yoho Milano all-over liveried Neoplan Centroliners from NP Model. As mentioned, it features AP88 (JV7012) on route 264R to Yuen Long (Express).

Here is NP Model NP1023, which features AP142 (KR4350) on route 16 Lam Tin (Kwong Tin Estate) and limited to 120 pieces.

Well it had to happen - Tiny has today announced this 1/110 scale Kowloon Motor Bus 'Year of the Ox' model. It is on route 268C to Long Ping station (KMB2020135).

11th February 2021

Two further Tiny 1/110 models have been announced - Kowloon Motor Bus Mercedes-Benz O305 ME29 (DG5071) carries St John Ambulance decals and is on route 70 to Sheung Shui (KMB2020061) whilst KMB Transbus Enviro500 ATE232 (LY6518) is the third bus model to carry Bruce Lee 80th anniversary decals. It is on route 40 to Tsuen Wan (Belvedere Garden) (KMB2020100). Of course, a 1/76 scale version of this bus is currently awaited (KMB2020142).

Further to yesterdays news on the two new champagne liveried Neoplan Centroliners from NP Model, a further release is confirmed, this again features AP88 (JV7012) on route 264R to Yuen Long (Express), but carrying all-over advertising for Park Yoho Milano, a new development in the Kam Tin area of Hong Kong.

10th February 2021

Citybus has decorated Alexander Dennis Enviro500 8206 (RL4470) in the livery applied to the company's buses back in 1997, with the wider red stripe and white lining.

NP Model has released two further champagne liveried Neoplan Centroliners, as shown above. On the left is AP88 (JV7012) on route 264R to Yuen Long (Express) and limited to 200 pieces (NP1023) whilst on the right is AP142 (KR4350) on route 16 Lam Tin (Kwong Tin Estate) and limited to 120 pieces (NP1025). These are unlicensed products and therefore carry no company fleetnames or logos.

Tiny has announced two new 1/110 scale models, both carrying BT21 all-over advertising. Top is Citybus 6302 (ATC65146) and below is Kowloon Motor Bus BACo bodied Daimler Fleetline D982 (BS2395) on route 46A (ATC65149)

Meanwhile Tiny has also announced a new casting for it's Leyland Victory Mk 2 and it has unveiled the above model of China Motor Bus LV18 (CG4376) with 'Hotline' banner decals.

Kowloon Motor Bus registered three new 11.3 metre ADL 'facelift' Enviro500s on 4th February (E6M98-E6M100) and these were the first new franchised buses to be registered since 30th November last year.

9th February 2021

Set for general release tomorrow is Kowloon Motor Bus 'Year of the Ox' liveried ADL 'facelift' Enviro500 E6X11 (WH1008) on route 268C to Long Ping Station. It is limited to 650 pieces (KMB2020144). A full set of photographs have just been added, thanks to 80M Bus Model Shop.

This 1/43 scale Kowloon Motor Bus 12.8 metre ADL 'facelift Enviro500 is also set for release tomorrow, This features E6X6 (WG9827) on route 279X to Tsing Yi Station and is limited to 750 pieces (KMB2020094). A full set of photographs have also been added for this model including those showing the model's features.

Full sets of photographs, again courtesy of 80M Bus Model Shop, have tonight been added for the Citybus and New World First Bus 'Year of the Ox' models.

5th February 2021

Set for release tomorrow (4th) in Hong Kong are the Citybus and New World First Bus 'Year of the Ox' models from Model 1.

As previously mentioned, both feature Wrights Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B8Ls. On the left is New World First Bus 5230 (WN2615) on route 18 to North Point (63625/20098) whilst on the right is Citybus 8807 (WP1057) on route 118 with a destination of Cheung Sha Wan West (63626/CM170). Each is limited to 500 pieces.

3rd February 2021

The above photographs were taken on consecutive days back in December 2010 during a visit to Hong Kong - one bus was newer than the other!!

New pages for the three actual Year of the Ox buses have been added to the Xtra section of the site - just follow the link.

2nd February 2021

After a busy News day yesterday, today's news is fairly simple and not model related - according to the excellent Across website, for the second month in a row, no new franchised buses were registered.

Continuing with 'real' bus news, the New World First Bus 'Year of the Ox' decorated bus has been noted in service today. Thanks to BusLanes for allowing me to share this photograph, which is 'clickable'.

1st February 2021

	*February 2021* *- News*
Previous month's News	To find a specific month's News, click here	Next month's News

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Page updated Sunday, 28th February 2021