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 (and the B10MA
articulated SBS998Y)'s bodywork was derived from the Duple
Metsec bodied MK IV 12m, with the difference in the signage area
(SBS997A using Mobitec flipdot signage while regular Duple Metsec
bodied MK IV uses plastic signage/route plates).
SBS997A with
a 12m DM B10M MK IV.
This bodywork design was derived
from the retired Volvo B10M MK III....
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 will be retiring on 13
Oct 2012, provided if no extensions are given. It's pretty much one
of the more unique demonstrators of the 90s, being a 3 axle single
decker long rigid public for high capacity trials.
SBS997A
arriving Punggol Interchange
SBS997A on
Off Service
