SG2017C: The first Euro 6 MAN A95

This article was formerly titled Euro 6 MAN A95 launched in Singapore

Bus: SG2017C
Known for: First Euro VI Public bus in Singapore
Debut: 17 December 2017

On Sunday, 17 December 2017, the first Euro VI (or Euro 6) MAN A95 bus was launched on revenue service. Bearing the registration number SG2017C, the bus joins over a hundred other MAN A95 buses in the Singapore bus fleet built to the Euro 5 specification.

SG2017C is the bearer of not one, but three distinctions. In addition to being the first Euro VI Public bus launched in Singapore, it is also touted as the 1000th BSEP bus that was delivered under the Bus Service Enhancement Programme (BSEP), a five year Government initiative that introduced 1000 new buses and 80 new bus routes between 2012 and 2017 to improve the public bus network. As such, its unique registration number “2017” uniquely commemorates this milestone in the Singapore public bus industry.

Apart from the Euro VI powertrain, SG2017C is constructed to similar specifications as part of the third batch of MAN A95 buses, of which 122 units were purchased by LTA in September 2016. In the preceding months, 77 units had already been delivered in two batches and operating on the roads (as of 17 Dec 2017). This face-lifted bodywork design made its first appearance on the MAN Lion’s City DD L Concept Bus in 2016, produced as a prototype of buses in the future, and also features USB Charging Ports.

SG2017C was launched to the public on Saturday, 9 December 2017, taking part in a launch event for Bus Service 71, the final bus service launched under the BSEP. While the bus was touted as the 1000th BSEP bus in promotional media, the Euro VI aspect of the bus was strangely omitted. More details about the launch are covered at the bottom of this article.

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The Bus

The external appearance of the bus is identical to other facelifted MAN A95 buses, having been bodied with the MAN Lion’s City DD bodywork assembled by Gemilang Coachworks. The promotional advert was removed in end-March 2018 (more on that below).

Advertising Wrap

SG2017C received a special advertising wrap celebrating the completion of the Bus Service Enhancement Programme (BSEP). The bus was launched by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at an event on 9 December 2017, in tandem with the launch of Bus Service 71 under BSEP.

The launch of the BSEP in 2012 was a major milestone in Singapore’s bus industry. For the first time, the Government stepped in to improve bus services by directly funding the purchase of new buses, boosting service levels on existing services, and introduced new bus services. The five-year initiative introduced 1000 new buses and 80 new bus routes between 2012 and 2017, as well as allocated more resources to 218 unique bus routes. Bus Service 71 was the 80th and final bus service launched under the BSEP.

The advertising wrap covers the rear two-thirds of the bus, in line with existing advertising standards for Bus Contracting Model buses. The advert was removed in end-March 2018.

When launched, SG5837H also bore the same BSEP promotional advertising wrap.

Euro 6 emission standard

European Emission Standards classify vehicle emissions in several tiers. starting from Euro I. The latest emission standard for diesel engines is Euro 6 (formally referred to as Euro VI), which was implemented in Europe from 31 December 2013. In Singapore, the Euro VI standard for diesel engines will come into effect on 1 January 2018, prompting the completion of deliveries of existing Euro 5 buses purchased in bulk, such as the Volvo B9TL, Mercedes-Benz Citaro, MAN NL323F and Euro 5 MAN A95 buses. Another Euro VI bus known to be in Singapore, a Volvo B8L, has yet to enter service.

Euro VI engines typically combine Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technologies to meet the stringent emissions requirements. As previous Euro V MAN buses purchased by SMRT and LTA (such as the MAN NL323F, MAN NG363F) only relied on EGR, the use of SCR on SG2017C makes it the first MAN public bus to require diesel exhaust fluids such as AdBlue.

The MAN D2066 LUH-51 engine is paired with MAN’s SCRT exhaust treatment system, where a series of catalytic converters utilize the SCR process to clean up emissions. MAN’s SCRT replaces the PM-KAT® particle filters used on Euro V MAN buses.

The diesel and AdBlue inlets are located on the right side of the bus, just behind the driver’s cabin.

Emission parameters

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Technical Specifications

The bus was registered on 30 November 2017 and leased to SBS Transit.

Basic Technical Specifications
Engine	MAN D2066 LUH-51, 10518cc Twin-stage turbocharged & inter-cooled Power/torque rating of 320 hp (235 kW) @ 1900 rpm / 1600 Nm @ 1000 – 1400 rpm
Emission Standard	Euro VI-compliant Combines Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR), hence requiring diesel exhaust fluids such as AdBlue. Meets the Euro VI emission standard.
Transmission	ZF EcoLife 6 AP 2000 B gearbox, six-speed automatic
Bodywork	MAN Lion’s City DD Bodywork Chassis built in Germany, MAN’s Lion City DD bodywork supplied and assembled by Gemilang Coachworks, licensed by MAN.
EDS	Mobitec MobiLED Electronic Destination Sign (EDS) Connected to a Mobitec MobiMASTER ICU 402 controller
Additional Specifications	Masats door systems USB Charging Ports (with covers)

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Interior:

The passenger cabin of SG2017C is identical to the third batch of MAN A95 buses delivered in the Year 2017. One difference in interior fitting is the updated steering wheel design fitted to the bus. However, it is not the first public bus to feature this updated steering wheel; other accident-damaged MAN NL323F buses in SMRT’s fleet have been fitted with this updated steering wheel design upon returning to revenue service.

SG2017C’s driver’s cab is on the left, while a standard MAN A95 driver’s cab is on the right. Both bear very similar dashboard layouts, with the exception of the steering wheel.

The rest of the passenger cabin is identical to the third batch of MAN A95 buses. SBS Transit also affixed its own interior stickers in addition to the default SMRT-spec interior stickers pasted around the bus, resulting in an interesting mix of graphic designs common to both operators.

Upper Deck

The upper deck of the bus is laid out in a conventional four-abreast seating, and a central aisle running the length of the bus.

Lower Deck

The MAN A95 is a low-floor chassis, offering stepless access along the entire length of the lower deck. Wheelchair accessibility is offered via a manually-deployed ramp at the exit door. The wheelchair bay doubles up as a standing area, and when not in use, the wheelchair backrest folds down to provide an additional seat for one.

When the bus made its debut, several seats on the lower deck had names affixed to them, likely left over from the launch event a week earlier.

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Bus Assembly

MAN A95 buses are manufactured by Gemilang Coachworks in Johor, Malaysia. Similar in appearance to MAN’s integral ‘Lion’s City Hybrid DD‘ in the European market, the design is built under license by Gemilang. The bus chassis is manufactured in Germany, before being shipped to Malaysia for body assembly. After complete assembly and inspection, buses are driven from Gemilang’s plant to Singapore.

For a detailed write-up with more pictures, check out The making of a bus – MAN Lion’s City DD.

Additional Specifications

The unladen weight of SG2017C is 140 kilograms heavier than a similar Euro V MAN A95. It is part of LTA’s third batch of 122 MAN A95 buses ordered in 2016.

The chassis number of SG2017C (WMAA95ZZ5HF004923) indicates that the chassis was manufactured in 2017.

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Launch Event

The 1,000th BSEP bus was launched on 9 December 2017 by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Dr Lam Pin Min, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Transport and Adviser to Sengkang West GROs. The launch event was held at Ang Mo Kio and held in tandem with PM Lee’s visit to Blk 341 Market along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1, which is served by Service 71.

More event pictures at Lee Hsien Loong’s Facebook Page and SBS Transit’s Facebook Page.

After the event and prior to revenue service, the “Roll-out of the final 1000th BSEP Bus” window sticker was removed to comply with two-third advertising guidelines. Hence, SG2017C now bears no advertising features that identify it as the 1000th BSEP Bus, which leads one to suspect that the “1000th BSEP Bus” title was likely used solely for promotional purposes. In fact, with the introduction of the Bus Contracting Model (BCM) and subsequent bus purchases, the lines between BSEP and BCM buses are blurred and it is hard to accurately determine which buses count towards the 1000 bus tally. As of 17 December 2017, there are Volvo B9TL and MAN A95 buses yet to be registered.

As SG5837H bore the same BSEP promotional advertising wrap, there was a possibility that it could have been a back-up vehicle for the launch event.

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See Also:

• MAN A95
• MAN A95 Gallery
• New MAN A95 buses for SMRT
• Buses with USB Charging Ports Hit The Roads
• New MAN Lion’s City Facelift DD Buses 
• The making of a bus – MAN Lion’s City DD
• LTA evaluates 3-door MAN Lion’s City DD Concept Bus
• MAN A95 bus models launched by Knackstop