SBST ordered new buses to replace Mark twos
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dying.. lol..Originally posted by Volvo Olympian:Its so sad to see these MK2s withdrawn
But fortunately i ever board one on service 284 if i'm not wrong in 1998.
Really to see them Dying -
I don't think there are many NAC MK2s in SLBP. The most BBDEP transfers some VO2x over.Originally posted by iveco:Then what buses will JIS get when SLBP sends its NAC Mk IIs to their grave?
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Dont forget we still got our dear Mk3s...Originally posted by tranquilice:I don't think there are many NAC MK2s in SLBP. The most BBDEP transfers some VO2x over. -
So Windy has driven/riden on the Citaro with the 6.4 litre engine before ?
Where would that have taken place ? I don't recall of any Citaro demo bus for sampling in Singapore or Malaysia before ??
Anycase the original standard engine for the Citaro is 12 litres, like the O 405 before it. But noteworthy about this newer 6.4 litre engine is that it's of new generation design with multi-valves, charged-cooling with advanced management electronics such that despite it's small size the output can be rated @ 280 BHP with Euro2 emissions levels ! This can be viewed as adequete as Euro3 buses are not yet the norm in Singapore. Of course if they want the latest Euro3 or coming Euro4 engines, then i suppose they revert to using the 12 litre engines rated @ say 250 BHP for rigid bus deployment & say 300 BHP for articulated bus.
By the way, their new 6.4 litre engine does compare very well with almost any other the Euro 2 engines of similar or even larger capacity in performance. 280 BHP from only 6.4 litre how many other engines produce so much from so little ?? Currently very few.
Going by my personal experiences just yesterday taking Handal Indah's route 22 from Permas Jaya to JB city in their new M-B with new generation engines, i'm quite optimistic such new generation engines although small in cc the acceleration, power torque outputs can match or exceed older design engines of even double the cc !! There's limits to what can be done to gearing to boost performance perhaps, beyond that i'll say engine performance & engine efficiency takes over. The 'push from behind' was strong, quick & fairly silent as the bus climbed up the slope near the new CIQ complex under construction, mainly only the turbo whine with hardly much gearbox noise from the manual gear (suspect to be M-B original gearbox with 5-speeds) in fact i'll even say this is more what should be expected from the buses in Singapore instead !
Those ZF or Voith gearboxes used in Singapore on the whole i find them too noisy & harsh !Originally posted by Yusry:If Singapore does ever get the Citaros, I hope they do not buy it with the standard 6 litre engines. From Windy's experience, their performance is absolutely pathetic. Even the Routemasters could outrun them on hill climbs. -
The engine capacities about the same BUT the engine technology, design & generation are light years apart, i observe.
The Dennis Darts i've riden in Holland Village in Singapore before hardly can move themselves, even on a level road !! It has to struggle almost all the way ! I believe it's from Cummings ?? I'm very sure if they drop this new generation M-B diesel in instead, the whole damn thing would blast off like a small rocket !
Analogy i'll use is like the 2.2 litre engines used in the M-B taxi here. You can compare this with say a 3 litre or 2.7 litre engine from Toyota or Nissan taxis here the differences in engine performance, noise vibration harshness levels, exhaust emission levels are so obvious that the small cc engine is light years ahead of the 2 larger cc but more backward engines !!Originally posted by The_Bus_Guide:6 litres? You've got to be kidding. That is about the same size as a Dennis Dart engine! -
But MK3s cannot be used on JIS because JIS are NAC services (unless SBST converts JIS to PAC or FAC in the years to come).Originally posted by sBs_boy:Dont forget we still got our dear Mk3s... -
If you notice, after the w/d of Mk2s, there are only 2 types of NAC buses in SBST's Fleet.. VO2x and CRBs.. So.. IMO, its only a matter of time when they decides to convert it into PAC pr FAC using buses like Mk3s.. since there are lots of them having SP statues rite now...Originally posted by tranquilice:But MK3s cannot be used on JIS because JIS are NAC services (unless SBST converts JIS to PAC or FAC in the years to come). -
SBST fleet is being progressively convert into all air con buses. But before the VO2x are gone, I think JIS will still remain NAC or at most PAC.Originally posted by sBs_boy:If you notice, after the w/d of Mk2s, there are only 2 types of NAC buses in SBST's Fleet.. VO2x and CRBs.. So.. IMO, its only a matter of time when they decides to convert it into PAC pr FAC using buses like Mk3s.. since there are lots of them having SP statues rite now... -
I have been travelling on the JiS for quite some time... it is quite warm and humid during the hot weather. I do hope these V02x will be converted...but i noe it is impossible...coz the workers boarding these services would not like to pay the ac chargesOriginally posted by tranquilice:SBST fleet is being progressively convert into all air con buses. But before the VO2x are gone, I think JIS will still remain NAC or at most PAC. -
no. technically, VO2x cannot be converted to air-con as it will need a third axle to support the additional weight of the air-conditioning unit.Originally posted by muziq bus:I have been travelling on the JiS for quite some time... it is quite warm and humid during the hot weather. I do hope these V02x will be converted...but i noe it is impossible...coz the workers boarding these services would not like to pay the ac charges -
Originally posted by ^tamago^:
Then what about the former SBS VO2Xes in UK? Are they NAC or CAC? Anyway, the B7TL only has 2 axles. Some Tridents in UK also do not have the third axle.
no. technically, VO2x [b]cannot be converted to air-con as it will need a third axle to support the additional weight of the air-conditioning unit.[/b] -
UK double-deckers do not need to be the 3-axle versions simply because they do not need to be airconditioned.Originally posted by iveco:Then what about the former SBS VO2Xes in UK? Are they NAC or CAC? Anyway, the B7TL only has 2 axles. Some Tridents in UK also do not have the third axle. -
Then why the Volvo B7TL can be 2x?
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Please read the post before yours. Read it twice, thrice, more if deemed necessary.Originally posted by sbst275:Then why the Volvo B7TL can be 2x? -
In the years to come, air con DDs will definately be deployed on JIS.Originally posted by muziq bus:I have been travelling on the JiS for quite some time... it is quite warm and humid during the hot weather. I do hope these V02x will be converted...but i noe it is impossible...coz the workers boarding these services would not like to pay the ac charges -
yes. the VO2x's on JIS will eventually be replaced by LO3x's.Originally posted by tranquilice:In the years to come, air con DDs will definately be deployed on JIS.
as for the 2 VO2x's in UK, here are their info courtesy of our Australian spotter:
SBS7204J
Operator: First Glasgow
leet No: 30107
Rego: K174 EUX
VIN: SLVYNF213RC025277
Seating Configuration: H44/32F
Body No: 2493/004
ex First Manchester, and First Pennine.
SBS7251Y
Operator: Metroline
Fleet No: AV39
Rego: M650 ELA
VIN: SLVYNF210RC025415
Seating Configuration: H42/26D
Body No: 9305/007
"Both units were acquired in August 2000 from [then] SBS.
"I finally got a pic [not available here] of AV39 after many months trying to find it and I also got to have a ride... the seats are the same from its Singapore Bus Service days when it was registered SBS7251Y (rego no is the fleet number), although re-upholstered in cloth (which was far nicer than the cruddy vinyl they originally came with). It also retains the longitudinal seats over the rear wheelarches and the red BUS STOPPING sign and the handrail behind the upper deck windscreen, and the big-arse gutters above the top deck windows. Its days being governed to 35mph [60kph] have totally screwed the vehicle, it was a real shed to ride (although Voith Olympians are usually shockers to ride anyway). I must say, the single pane windows with the odd hopper window make it a tonne nicer to look at than the tropical windows with the three horizontal bars across the windows for body protrusion prevention (although it didn't quite redeem the lack of power, and rather noticeable turbo lag this bus had). Still, I was glad to get a pic, and now that I do, it can be either scrapped, sold or repainted." -
Originally posted by iveco:Then what about the former SBS VO2Xes in UK? Are they NAC or CAC? Anyway, the B7TL only has 2 axles. Some Tridents in UK also do not have the third axle.
They have two axles because there is no need for the buses to be air conditioned.Imagine a 700+kg aircon at the rear of a 2 axle bus.Originally posted by sbst275:Then why the Volvo B7TL can be 2x?
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Surely British (and European) buses have central heating, do they? Temperatures drop really low in winter.Originally posted by SBS9810X:They have two axles because there is no need for the buses to be air conditioned.Imagine a 700+kg aircon at the rear of a 2 axle bus.
Anyway, is the First Glasgow VO2X formerly regoed 7204 or 7206? Some folks say it is the latter. -
deleted..Originally posted by iveco:Surely British (and European) buses have central heating, do they? Temperatures drop really low in winter.
Anyway, is the First Glasgow VO2X formerly regoed 7204 or 7206? Some folks say it is the latter. -
The buses has heaters installed.Originally posted by iveco:Surely British (and European) buses have central heating, do they? Temperatures drop really low in winter.
However, I have been informed that there was a number of air conditioned, Royale-bodied 2-axle Volvo Olympians, almost identical to our Volvo Olympian Superbuses, operated by Airbus in London.
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So that means the heating system weighs less than the air-conditioning system. Anyway, the VO2X looks similar to many of those found in HongKong.Originally posted by Superbus:The buses has heaters installed.
However, I have been informed that there was a number of air conditioned, Royale-bodied 2-axle Volvo Olympians, almost identical to our Volvo Olympian Superbuses, operated by Airbus in London.
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It is 7204. former SBST VO2x ,rego 7251 was the 2nd bus exprted to UK.Originally posted by iveco:Surely British (and European) buses have central heating, do they? Temperatures drop really low in winter.
Anyway, is the First Glasgow VO2X formerly regoed 7204 or 7206? Some folks say it is the latter. -
What type of air conditioning system do they use? for the VOs to have 2 axles only and be Air conditioned means the air con system used in the UK is different from those used in Singapore? Perhaps something with less 'cooling power' due to climate differences?Originally posted by Superbus:The buses has heaters installed.
However, I have been informed that there was a number of air conditioned, Royale-bodied 2-axle Volvo Olympians, almost identical to our Volvo Olympian Superbuses, operated by Airbus in London.
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i think they can dun use air-con at all over there, from the photos i've seen of buses over there.Originally posted by supremebull:What type of air conditioning system do they use? for the VOs to have 2 axles only and be Air conditioned means the air con system used in the UK is different from those used in Singapore? Perhaps something with less 'cooling power' due to climate differences?
and it's 7204J, not 7206D. 7206D is now on service 252. -
Yusry and Suhirman,Originally posted by The_Bus_Guide:6 litres? You've got to be kidding. That is about the same size as a Dennis Dart engine!
Yes, they have a 6.33L engine. hseochin can also confirm this, I'm sure, since he is also pretty specced up on the buses. It is the equivalent of putting the 1.2L engine from a Lancer into a Tank! I personally find the build and finish of the Citaros pretty bad...a Custom Coaches CB60 body would be much more suitable, with the lower plastic content. The suspension is a little harsh, compared to the O.405, but the B12BLE is a vast improvement on previous Volvo air suspension. Even the Hino RM197K has a tiny 6.8L engine. The RM230 has a larger engine which sounds like it means business. the CM has a 13 litre naturally aspirated engine.
The Citaro's width is some 5mm wider than the standard citybus. The O.303s with the Mannheim bodies are very nice, and being a firm believe in the V8 engines they produce, I am disappointed at the lack of V8 option in the Australian market for the O.500RF coach chassis. I am even more disappointed at the lack of hub reduction, although the hypoid rear axle will make a similar (though quieter) whirring noise.
