Withdrawal of the old buses (Part 2)

Since last year till date, after the withdrawal of the Volvo B10M Mark2 and Scania N113CRB, the next batch of buses facing extinction will be the Mercedes Benz O.405 and Nissan Diesel U31CRN.

The O.405 story
The O.405s were actually the largest order from Singapore in the 1990s. Singapore Bus Services (now SBS Transit) ordered 700 of them, 500 air-conditional, 200 non-aircon buses. In late 1993s, Trans Island Bus Services (now SMRTBuses) started to order O.405 and 0.405G (the articulated version of O.405, commonly known as "Bendy Bus") too, which has currently become the majority models in the company's fleet of buses.

SMRTBuses has since continued to place their order on Mercedes Benz buses, and their latest batch of buses are the 66 new OC500LEs. However, SBS Transit hasn't made any order from Mercedes since the 700 units of O.405s were bought, but has chosen Volvo and Scania for its fleet of buses.

Aircon and non-aircon buses
The 200 Duple Metsec converted aircon were actually a batch of non-aircon buses before 1999. They were converted into aircon buses as there was a demand for aircon buses. Withdrawing them off from service wasn't an economical solution then. So, the non-aircon Volvo B10M Mark2, Mercedes Benz O.405, Scania N113CRB and the Nissan Diesel undergone the conversion. The single deck non-aircon buses will no longer be available. Most of the non-aircon double deckers can still be found in the western side of Singapore, Boon Lay. They are the last batch of non-aircon buses ordered in year 1995.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Mercedes Benz O.405 (700 units)
Bodyworks: 200 Walter Aexander, 300 Duple Metsec original aircon, 200 Duple Metsec converted aircon
Introduction: 1990 - 1993

1) Walter Alexander (WA) body:

2) Duple Metsec (DM) body- Original Aircon

3) Duple Metsec (DM) body- Converted Aircon


--------------------------------------------------------------

Nissan Diesel U31CRN (40 units)
Bodyworks: Fuji Heavy Industries
Introduction: 1992-1993

May be introduced in early 90's, yet it is filled with the retro feel. They are manufactured and designed in Japan. Compared to other models acquired in the 90's, the Fuji bodywork design looks the most outdated.

1) Original Aircon

2) Converted aircon


--------------------------------------------------------------

As mentioned earlier, our last batch of non-aircon buses are still available. They are the Volvo Olympian 2-axle buses, which came into service in 1995. There are at least 95 of them left in service. Each bus has an average lifespan of 17 years, so there will be few more years left to the survival of these 'hotdogs'. Most of these buses resides in the west, mainly to cater to the industrial workers.

1) Location: Hougang Central

2) Location: Boon Lay


That's all for today!
04/12/2008