Originally posted by ^tamago^:Designing a better ride on public buses
Catering to various commuter groups part of LTA tender requirementsPUBLIC buses will offer a better ride in the future as the Land Transport Authority (LTA) studies how to improve their design.
It is looking at tweaks to improve commuter flow, for instance getting passengers to move to the back of the bus, and to minimise the time they take to board and alight.
It will also look at catering to different groups of commuters, including the elderly who need seats, the visually challenged with guide dogs, and travellers with bulky items.
Last week, the LTA called a tender asking manufacturers and suppliers to submit design proposals based on these considerations, and to build actual-size mockups of prototype buses.
“LTA is studying what enhancements in design and features could be incorporated for future bus purchases and are best suited to operations in Singapore,” a spokesman said.
The concept models must have passenger seats, driver’s cabin, handrails and other interior and exterior fittings, according to the tender documents.
A workable door system, interior lighting and air-conditioning will also have to be installed.
The tender, which closes next month, requires companies to consider factors such as comfort, safety and carrying capacity during peak hours.
These concept buses – two single-deckers and two double-deckers – will be shown to the public to gather their feedback.
This will be valuable when deciding on future bus purchases, LTA said.
As the bus industry transits into a state contracting model, all fleets and infrastructure will be government-owned, with routes tendered out to operators to run.
The first tender package for 24 routes in the western part of the island is expected to be awarded soon. Eight companies shortlisted include local operators SBS Transit and SMRT, and players from Australia, Britain and France.
A poll of 30 bus commuters found that enhancements relating to safety, accessibility and comfort were top of their wishlists.
“I hope for more handrails, especially in the middle of the bus,” said undergraduate Alison Ong, 20. Ms Clare Wong, 51, a homemaker, wanted more space for big items like market trolleys and luggage. Others suggested wider seats and more seating set aside for the elderly and disabled.
Retiree Lee Ley Lun, 60, said: “How about some piped music and brighter (interior) colours to cheer everyone up?” -ST
Two single-deck and two double-deck choices, that is identical to how new buses are currently procured under BSEP.
In that case and considering the relatively short timeline, don't expect the status quo to change too much.
Hong Kong operators seem to be sticking to this trend when it comes to bulk purchases as well.
Originally posted by carbikebus:How about a 12.5m tri axles with dual staircases and three doors?If the manufacturers can design and built can say goodbye to bendy buses already
The more feasible build up now will be the 12.8m double deckers used in Hong Kong now. Adding the 3rd door after the rear axle to encourage people to move to the back and alighting at the back.
Same single deckers, for 3rd door 12.5-12.8m single deckers. I doubt 14.5m single deckers will be used again.
This tender has been extended for two weeks.
The new closing date is on 17 June 2015.
ok la. for now, let's forget about all the extra features, such as television, elevator, escalator - until next time.
if want luxury, I guess what we really need is a very cool bus, where inside the aircon is very strong. why? because Singapore is so hot. :(
for the seats, it does not matter if it's leather or cushion. I think what we should try to work on is the seat arrangements. if we arrange the seats differently, maybe the flow of people inside the bus will be smoother?
if we want it to be elderly friendly, the bus should have hand grips, at least in the lower deck. try to have seats in the lower deck in the same level, so don't have to climb stairs.
apart from that, we can consider having in the lower deck a compartment at the top of the buses where we can put our bags. #bagdownbenny then more people can stand. more people can board.
if want a bit high tech, what we can do is to have electronic route map inside the bus. if the bus is permanent deployment, can have route map in paper format.
This is a rather minor issue, but I hope the new buses can have interior lights that are not too glaring, something like those on the Citaros or CDGE B9TLs. It's rather hard to sleep on the A22s or Wright B9TLs at night...
I rather see they only install light along the centreline rather than both sides..Hope the staircase can be custom slightly behind for easy alighting..
Manufacterers who submitted bids for PT236:
- Alexander Dennis
- Cycle and Carriage (dealer for Mercedes-Benz)
- MCV
- STK (dealer for MAN)
- Volvo
- Yutong
...
Originally posted by 201911:This is a rather minor issue, but I hope the new buses can have interior lights that are not too glaring, something like those on the Citaros or CDGE B9TLs. It's rather hard to sleep on the A22s or Wright B9TLs at night...
Citaro lights are the best...
BC can also consider on one side of lights only during night time, can also save electricity at the same time
MCV - the bodywork for the demo unit of the A22s.
Yutong: only rigids, sadly no bendies. A prototype of their DDs won't be likely.
C&C: I wonder how the MB Citaro Ds looks. EDS like those of the aging Tridents.
Volvo: low floor WAB?
Does that mean no more Scania in future? I was hoping they'd go for the K320 €6 version if it ever were customised for LTA.
Its only a concept bus for Sg la bro..
Originally posted by SMB145B:MCV - the bodywork for the demo unit of the A22s. Yutong: only rigids, sadly no bendies. A prototype of their DDs won't be likely. C&C: I wonder how the MB Citaro Ds looks. EDS like those of the aging Tridents. Volvo: low floor WAB?
It has stated clearly only rigid single deckers and double deckers as the concept models for future buses in Singapore.
Clearly all buses in future will be low floor WAB.
Mercedes Benz does not have a Citaro double decker variant currently unless there is another chassis supporting double deckers .
Originally posted by vicamour:It has stated clearly only rigid single deckers and double deckers as the concept models for future buses in Singapore.
Clearly all buses in future will be low floor WAB.
Mercedes Benz does not have a Citaro double decker variant currently unless there is another chassis supporting double deckers .
i know that, thanks for the reminder.
what's with the Citaro Gs? i thought the infrastructure does not permit and bendies are out of scope for this, then why is the site showing this for?
Now, during the evening peak hours, the bus captains (and traffic controllers) usually encourage commuters at the bus interchange to board the bus from the 'exit' door. The EZ-Link card readers there allow 'tap-in'.
Just wondering, if we install more EZ-Link card readers on the bus, would it shorten the time the bus spend in the bus stop/interchange? For example, we can have two EZ-Link card readers vertically together, where two people can tap card at the same time.
To encourage people to move to the rear, we have to put something attractive there, so people want to move in. I have an idea. Why not put the exit door at the rear? :)
If the passage way is narrow, we can reduce the number of seats. Instead of two seats, we only have one seat. (We can always maintain the number of reserved seats.) This would widen the passage way. We can move the wheelchair space to the rear.
Meanwhile, we can have a second door for people to exit.
Originally posted by jurongresident:Now, during the evening peak hours, the bus captains (and traffic controllers) usually encourage commuters at the bus interchange to board the bus from the 'exit' door. The EZ-Link card readers there allow 'tap-in'.
Just wondering, if we install more EZ-Link card readers on the bus, would it shorten the time the bus spend in the bus stop/interchange? For example, we can have two EZ-Link card readers vertically together, where two people can tap card at the same time.
To encourage people to move to the rear, we have to put something attractive there, so people want to move in. I have an idea. Why not put the exit door at the rear? :)
If the passage way is narrow, we can reduce the number of seats. Instead of two seats, we only have one seat. (We can always maintain the number of reserved seats.) This would widen the passage way. We can move the wheelchair space to the rear.
Meanwhile, we can have a second door for people to exit.
I think there are buses that has the door at the rear, such as three door varient or the London Bus... But again LTA doesnt wanna invest in them...
I was always wondering, if we could install faregates at entrances of bus ints... That way, ppl need not waste time tap in tap out on buses at the int... Can work in SG also given its disdance-based fares
Good for anything
Will these buses be shown to the public?
Actually they want mock up they should ask LexBuild. Lol.
Actually, if they want, they should engage the Polytechnics to help them design the concept bus.
This can easily become the Final-Year Project for many groups of students, for the school of Design, school of Engineering, etcetera.
Engineering students can help to create an electrical system that is energy efficient and cost effective, to power the bus, the lighting and the air-conditioning.
Design students can help to come up with the best possible seating arrangement, for maximum comfort (for both normal passengers and passengers with disabilities), capacity and flow.
a Multi-Disciplinary project can be created for both Engineering and Design students, to help create features (eg. sensors) that make the bus friendly to the elderly, the people in wheelchair, etcetera.
It's quite a huge talent pool, yet they did not tap on it. Instead they choose to engage companies to do it for them.
Originally posted by vicamour:Will these buses be shown to the public?
Yes.
Option 2 (double-decker bus only) awarded separately to ST Kinetics and Alexander-Dennis.
Originally posted by sgbuses:Option 2 (double-decker bus only) awarded separately to ST Kinetics and Alexander-Dennis.
So we will be seeing two types/models of DD for GCM?
Originally posted by SMB128B:So we will be seeing two types/models of DD for GCM?
It is fine with me with more MAN A95s...in my eyes they are just considered the same as MAN A22s.
Originally posted by SMB128B:So we will be seeing two types/models of DD for GCM?
I do not know...but this is old news, as another thread has previously discussed this.