SMRT Buses : MAN NL323F A22 Production Batch / Gemilang (MAN Lion's City Hybrid) (Production batch)

>> Do read here for the preview and writeup of the exterior of the new MAN A22, SMB189A last month.

SMB191S, the other bus registered.

On the handover day on 1st Oct 2011 from MAN to SMRT Buses, 2 buses were brought in, Of the two buses, SMB191S was newly registered the day before the launch.

The launch poster, featuring the Lion mascot.

A paper replica of the MAN NL3232F A22 for the guests.

With the purchase of 200 MAN A22 buses, it marks an exciting first for Singapore's public transport that MAN public buses will be widely used by a public transport operator. For the launch, both buses sport a full body advertisement promoting the features of the MAN A22.

SMRT Buses : "Bringing you a new travel experience!"

Given that the bodywork is based on the Lion's City Hybrid, it's also the basis for the Lion mascot. The Lion's City in the Lion City, Singapore!

SMB191S exiting Hort Park after the launch.

The rear with advertisement. The tail lamps components uses LED, enhancing visibility.

A first for SMRT Buses, the MAN NL323F A22 are equipped with Alcoa rims with rimguards. Very stylish!

Alcoa rims!

The layout of the production MAN A22 buses and SMB138Y is very similar. Therefore we recommend to read SMB138Y's writeup to compliment this article

INTERIOR

Gemilang-designed components

The design of the driver cabin is brought over from SMB138Y

Welcome Aboard SMRT!

The similar driving cab.

The interior layout is identical to SMB138Y. You can see what's behind the bus with the rear window in the production batch. The middle bus stopping bell is retained for visiblity for the rear half of the passenger cabin.

Interior of SMB189A

The Mobitec electronic display signage (EDS) signage on the production MAN buses have a new longer side EDS signage, replacing the traditional number only display and allowing for the display of route number & route details on the side.

The new long Mobitec side EDS

There is a new EDS formatting that is justified to the left, allowing for more space to show the places passing by in a longer name rather than abbreviations (varies by route details).

The aircon filter is a flat filter intake on the roof, while aircon outlets are not the adjustable types found on the OC500LE and SMB138Y.

The Denso aircon filter is flat, and not the design found on SMB138Y, which protrudes (rather uglily) into the passenger cabin.

The aircon outlet is non-adjustable.

Unlike SMB138Y, there is no wifi/LG advertisement TV fitted.

No mobile advertising/wifi installed.

Like the demo, there is an exta foldable seat at the wheelchair bay.

The door closing system.

The exit door system is sliding plug door like SMB138Y, though it looks like a different model of the door system.

Exterior view.

A GIF by SMRT Buses on the door opening and closing.

A minor difference in the rear half of SMB189A and the rest of the production batch, as SMB189A was a production interior demonstrator.

  

SMB189A's rear half has a step leading to the rear row of seats. "BEWARE OF STEPS"

Feedbacks saw the step removed and the rear gently sloped up to the rear row of seats from SMB190U onwards. Also there is a headrest on innermost right seat in the second last row.

Gentle slope replaces the step for the other 199 MAN production buses.

On the morning of 3rd Oct 2011, SMB189A debuted on 963E, and in the evening, it did 963.

On 963E in the morning towards Harbourfront

On 963 at night towards Woodlands Interchange.

For more information on the new MAN A22, do check out this webpage by SMRT: http://smrt.com.sg/manbus/

SMRT Buses : MAN NL323F A22 Production Batch Preview (SMB189A)

>> Do read here for the bus interior and debut on 963!

The MAN NL323F A22 production batch buses are in Singapore! First spotted by the photographer behind Public Transport Hub, it generated a buzz for its unconventional design as compared to the the public buses operating in Singapore.

Back in December 2010, the first MAN NL323F A22 SMB138Y was brought in by SMRT for a 1 year trial. The trail was successful, and a batch of 200 MAN NL323Fs were ordered with deliveries commencing from August 2011.

SMB138Y on its first day of revenue service in December 2010

Instead of sporting the MCV eVolution bodywork as seen on the demonstrator, the production batch buses sports a Gemilang bodywork based on the MAN Lion's City Hybrid bus. The production batch uses Mobitec electronic destination signage instead of Hanover, Vogelsitze seatings and Alcoa rims.

The MAN Lion's City Hybrid. Credits to bayernernst (http://www.flickr.com/photos/67855182@N00/5040775305/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

On the unconventional part as conpared to the other commonly seen bodyworks used on public buses in service in Singapore : The front of the roof features a protrusion "air intake" that slopes back to the middle of the bus.

SMB189A on a test drive.

In the actual MAN Lion's City hybrid, the roof housing the hybrid components under an airflow-optimized roofline, has been awarded with the reddot design award 2011. This front air intake will cool the capacitors when the bus is operating.

"The body-coloured curvature ends at the silver-coloured roof-surrounding panel, the characteristic AeroLine, which runs over the entire roof. At the same time, this high-quality panel screens the electric cabling and connections behind it from view. Moreover, it provides the optimum routing for air and the air-cooling of the electrical components. Its anodised, aluminium-like colour gives the vehicle elegance and haptics. "

Source from here, here & here.

However, in the MAN NL323F production batch, this roofline serves as a routing for air and channeling air to the airconditioning unit housed behind.

SMB189A on its way to inspection.

SMB189A's rear.

The bus features a third brake light as standard just like the demonstrator as an added safety measure. SMB189A is registered as of 15th Sept 2011, and more should be registered in the coming months.

Update 1: There are speculations that this bodywork may not be manufacture by Gemilang. We are awaiting for a confirmation on the brand of the bodywork.
Update 2: Bodywork is by Gemilang. News article here : http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/25GEMILANG/Article/


Update 4: It's confirmed with SMRT it is a Gemilang bodywork, the Lion's City Hybrid design is licensed by MAN. The Malaysia article's link in update 2 is now taken down.

Cross border fleet change for 170/170X from 29th August 2011

Following 160 and 950's fleet change from their respective predecessor buses, 170 and its shortworking cousin 170X recieved its fleet change on 29th August 2011.

Striders make an appearance on 170...

...and on its shortworking cousin 170X!

The DM3500s are now the mainstay for 170's fleet

This bus used to have a Transit Media electronic destination signage system.

Some of the new plates for 170

For 170

170X > Singapore - Kranji MRT

170X > JB -Kotaraya II

And farewell to the MK IIIs that served on 160/170

Cross border fleet change from 1st August 2011.

1st August 2011 marks a round of fleet renewal for the cross border services by SBS Transit and SMRT Buses, as their predecessors gets retired

SBS Transit's 170 and 160
There's older buses before this B57 model, but the B57 is the oldest model i remember. We start from the known retired B57 buses on 170

SBS's retired Volvo B57 (from SBS Transit Memory Lane website)

to 170 having B10M MK IIs

A retired Volvo B10M MK II.

to B10M MK IIIs were introduced when 170 became fully air-conditoned service. It was a welcome relief as commuters are spared from breathing in the vehicle exhausts during a jam, and also travel across the two countries in air-conditioned comfort)
 

A MK III (SBS787P) carrying an advertisment for Maybank. Cross border buses rarely has advertisments on it.

With its sister service 160 from Jurong East to Kotaraya II introduced in September 2004, it received the airconditioned MK IIIs.

SBS739D on 160, at Jurong East bound for Kotaraya II Terminal at Johore Bahru.

and now, part of 160's fleet has been replaced with B10M MK IV buses with DM3500 bodywork.

SBS2750G, one of the MK IV DM3500s deployed to 160.

170 has not yet received its deployment of DM3500s yet.

A blue-plate 170.

Currently, the MK IV DM3500s are making up part of the fleet for 160 only, and looks to be a gradual changover; with 160/170's entire fleet expected to be using MK IV DM3500 buses in the coming months.

SMRT Buses.

19 September 2004 saw the introduction of 950 as a competitor/alternative on the cross border services operating between Singapore and Malaysia. The fleet consisted of Hispano O405s since its introduction.

The route details were updated in July 2011 to scroll with route details instead of static "Kotaraya II/Johore Bahru" & "Woodlands Int/Singapore"

TIB968R on 950

The rear of TIB968R, with its Malaysia stickers for entering Malaysia as a revenue service bus.

It is supplemented by a fleet of OC500LEs.

SMB98D on 950

The Malaysian permit sticker.

And the black information sticker has been updated to a newer reflecting the accurate information for the OC500LE.

The old sticker.

The new sticker.

The rear showing the stickers.

The rear of the OC500LE with its Malaysia stickers for entering Malaysia as a revenue service bus.

The predecessor and successor for O405s for 950, the Hispano O405 in front, and the Volgren O405 at the back.

This also marks the first time where two models from each of the company is running on their respective service (exception of service 170 as it has not received MK IV DM3500s yet)

All info are as of 3rd August 2011.