News - April 2014

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	*April 2014 - News*
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Photograph courtesy and copyright of Philip Chan

My thanks to regular contributor Philip Chan for providing the above photograph, which captures both the models that were released in Hong Kong today, including route numbers and destinations!

30th April 2014

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
80M Bus Model Shop

Set for release in Hong Kong tomorrow are the first two of the re-released Kowloon Motor Bus 80th Anniversary models. AVWBU252 (RJ2681) is in 1970's Daimler A livery and is on route 2 to Star Ferry (DW10522) whilst AVBWU200 (PZ8904) is in Volvo B10M livery and is also on route 2 to Star Ferry (DW10524). Each is limited to 888 pieces. New pages and further photographs will be added shortly.

29th April 2014

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Bus Factory

My thanks to TS Leung for advising that the Bus Factory Dennis Dragon S3N176 (10319) was released on 20th April 2014.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Philip Chan

12 metre Enviro500NG 8392 is the newest bus is the Citybus fleet, noted today operating route 10, having been registered on 24th April.

27th April 2014

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Alexander Lo

My thanks to Alexander Lo for sending me images of New World First Bus Volvo Olympian VA75 in branding livery for route 18X. A new page has been added to the

section of the site featuring this batch of Olympians.

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Nelson Liu

With the planned release tomorrow of the MTR light rail unit 1127 (18702) I am grateful to Nelson Liu for sending me the above photograph. A larger image will be added shortly.

26th April 2014

Photographs courtesy and copyright of CTV

I have been fortunate enough to receive a few photographs of the two evaluation buses for Kowloon Motor Bus. The first is the 12.8 metre ADL Enviro500NG (top) whilst the second is the VDL DB300 with MCV bodywork. New pages have just been added to the

section of the site.

VA75, former Citybus Volvo Olympian 625, has appeared in an all-over route branding livery for New World First Bus route 18X, which operates between Kennedy Town and Shau Kei Wan.

24th April 2014

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
80M Bus Model Shop

Details of three non-bus models have been received today and the above images give a quick overview.

First is tram no. 100 carrying UOB KayHian advertising (TT33672) and this is limited to 800 pieces. The second tram features no. 26 with Daikin all-over advertising (TT33673) and again this is limited to 800 pieces. Both models were released on 17th April.

The third is a 1/87 scale model of MTR Light Rail unit 1127 on route 610 to Tuen Mun Ferry Pier (18702). This is limited to 1,600 pieces and goes on sale on 27th April.

23rd April 2014

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Grant Ng Kwok Kuen

Kowloon Motor Bus Enviro500NG ATENU150 is another example carrying Captain KMB decals whilst further photographs of the recently registered Discovery Bay Transit Enviro200s have been added to the

section of the site.

22nd April 2014

I am not aware of any model news in my absence, so tonight's brief update focuses on some new liveries and buses.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Philip Chan

Candidates for possible future models are these two Kowloon Motor Bus Enviro 500NGs. ATENU137 (SH6299) is pictured top whilst ATENU143 (SH6976) is below.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Philip Chan

Citybus Enviro 400 7038 has received all-over advertising for 'Arts Bus on the move'.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Bobby Liu

Discovery Bay Transit has registered its new Enviro200s - DBAY5, DBAY27, DBAY36, DBAY37 and DBAY135. Pictured above is DBAY135, the 11.3metre example.

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Stephen Cho

and finally for today, my thanks to Stephen Cho for sending me the above photographs of Enviro400s operating in Hawaii.

20th April 2014

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Vincent Chong

KMB's newest bus is Wrights Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TL AVBWU310, registered on Tuesday 8th April, noted today approaching Star Ferry.

I am now on holiday for just over a week, so there will be no updates during this period. Please do continue to send me your photographs and news, ready for my return.

10th April 2014

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Gary Chow

My thanks to Gary Chow for sending me a selection of photographs of new Discovery Bay Transit Alexander Dennis Enviro200s. Four are confirmed as being 10.6 metre whilst the fifth is 11.3 metre. A new page is presently under construction in the

section of the site.

5th April 2014

A photograph of a 12.8 metre Alexander Dennis Enviro500NG for Kowloon Motor Bus has been noted today.

4th April 2014

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
80M Bus Model Shop

Three models from Cars Workshop are set for release in Hong Kong tomorrow. Top is 92805 an Alexander Dennis Enviro400 featuring ATSE43 (RW3769) on route 85X to Ma On Shan Town Centre - limited to 800 pieces. Centre is 92806, another Enviro400 this time featuring ATSE41 (RW3143) on route 692 to Hang Hau North - limited to 1,000 pieces. Bottom is 92611, 12-metre Duple Metsec bodied Dennis Dragon 3N171 (DK5310) on route 1A to Star Ferry - limited to 800 pieces.

Singapore operator SMRT Buses released the following press release yesterday:-

As part of the initiative to increase bus capacity on longer routes and bring greater comfort to the commuter’s bus journey experience, SMRT has confirmed the delivery of over 570 buses. Orders are confirmed for 332 MAN 12-metre buses, 40 MAN articulated buses, and for the first time, a total of 201 ADL Double Deckers. This is the largest fleet renewal and growth initiative by SMRT to date, and re-affirms the company’s commitment to offering commuters the highest standards in safety, reliability, care and comfort.

A first batch of about 30 buses will be delivered to SMRT’s bus depots in June 2014. The vehicles will undergo further tests including functional, systems and road tests before joining SMRT’s existing fleet of over 1,200 buses to serve commuters from July 2014. SMRT Buses will be introducing the rest of the fleet progressively till end 2016.

The addition of the ADL Double Deckers in particular will help ease crowdedness during peak hours, particularly on longer routes with high passenger loads. Together with other bus orders, these new vehicles will replace older bus models, and address the need for more bus trips and better bus service levels.

Mr. Benny Lim, Senior Vice President for SMRT Roads said, “We are very excited with this major fleet expansion and renewal initiative. Expanding our existing fleet with ADL Double Deckers and MAN buses will enable us to better address increasingly dynamic road conditions, and ensure enhanced capacity in handling increased ridership. We look forward to bringing passengers even more comfortable and reliable rides.”

Of the over 570 buses that SMRT has confirmed delivery for, 218 are introduced and funded under SMRT’s participation in the Land Transport Authority’s Bus Service Enhancement Programme.

3rd April 2014

	*April 2014 - News*
Previous month's News	To find a specific month's News, click here	Next month's News

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This page last updated Sunday, 27th April 2014