Volvo B10TL (PSV/CDGE) demonstrator – SBS9889U

Main Article: Volvo B10TL

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SBS Transit Volvo B10TL CDGE demonstrator (SBS9889U)

In 2001, Singapore Bus Services placed orders for 51 Volvo B10TL buses. The initial 50 units were built with the Volgren bodywork, but the last chassis was retained by SBS Transit (re-branded from SBS in late 2001) to be fitted with a prototype bodywork by UK firm PSV International, in partnership with ComfortDelGro Engineering, the engineering arm of SBS Transit’s parent company, ComfortDelGro.

This bus was registered on 1 March 2005 as SBS9889U, the last Volvo B10TL to be registered, and entered revenue service later that same month. It was also the last non-wheelchair-accessible bus to be registered in SBS Transit’s fleet, and bears the distinction of having the largest registration number by numerical order.

Basic Technical Specifications
Engine	Volvo D10A-285 engine, 9603cc, Euro II-compliant Power/Torque rating of 210 kW (285 hp) @ 2000 rpm / 1200 Nm @ 1450 rpm
Transmission	Voith DIWA 863.3 gearbox, 3-speed automatic
Bodywork	PSV International / ComfortDelGro Engineering Bodywork Prototype bodywork designed by SBS and PSV International Built by PSV International and ComfortDelGro Engineering
EDS	LECIP Electronic Display Signage (EDS) Orange LED matrix mounted on front and side Formerly using plastic destination sign on rear
Doors	Deans doors Double-leaf entrance, double swinging plug exit
Capacity	Licensed capacity of 121 passengers: 55 upper deck seating, 27 lower deck seating and 39 standing

Bodywork:

SBS9889U was bodied with a prototype bodywork designed by SBS and PSV International, a UK-based company which designs passenger vehicles (including buses) and assembles them in their country of operation, using components sourced regionally. In the case of SBS9889U, parts were sourced largely around Asia with essential components from Europe. The bus was assembled in Singapore by PSV International and ComfortDelgro Engineering (the engineering branch of Comfort DelGro, SBS Transit’s parent company). Doors were supplied by Deans, rather than SMC Transit which featured on the Volgren buses.

While the bus was completed in 2003, the bus did not see revenue service until 21 March 2005, making its debut on Service 147. The design and expertise gained from the prototype bodywork were to be a platform for the later CDGE-bodied Volvo B9TLs, which would also be fully assembled in Singapore.

Design:

The bus originally bore a blue-themed interior with light blue interior body panels and blue seat covers. It was also fitted with an Electronic Display Sign (EDS) supplied by Transit Media on the for the front and kerbside, but never received a rear EDS.

The bus was refurbished in 2012 with SBS Transit’s familiar yellow and red seat covers, which are a standard colour pairing used across SBS Transit’s newer fleet (like the Volvo B9TL, Scania K230UB and the Mercedes-Benz Citaro).

In early 2014, the Transit Media EDS units were replaced with a LECIP EDS unit, identical to the small-font units used on the Volvo B9TL (CDGE) buses. The rear did not receive an EDS unit.

Other Specifications:

The Volvo B10TL has a licensed capacity of 121 passengers, with 55 upper deck seating, 27 lower deck seating, and 39 standing passengers. Despite the low-floor design, wheelchair ramps were never retrofitted to all Volvo B10TL buses in Singapore.

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Early Retirement from Revenue Service

On 11 November 2020, the bus was taken out of service while on Service 125 and towed back to the bus depot. A few days later, the bus was spotted inside Ang Mo Kio Bus Depot with missing glass & body panels on the rear nearside of the bus.

Non-wheelchair accessible buses were no longer deployed on revenue service from 1 December 2020.

The bus was laid up from 23 Mar 2021 and its corporate logos were removed. Thereafter, it was scrapped on 5 May 2021.

The statutory lifespan expiry date of SBS9889U is on 28 Feb 2022, but it was officially de-registered on 12 May 2021.

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Interior:

Lower Deck

The lower deck of the bus features 27 permanent seats. Being a low-floor bus, the bus offers step-free access from entry/exit doors until the last row of seats. A staircase behind the driver’s cab connects the lower and upper decks.

Like most double-deck buses in Singapore, the Volvo B10TL (CDGE) buses are configured with two doors: an entrance door at the front, and an exit door in the middle. The entrance doors are conventional inward-swinging leaf doors, while the exit doors are outward-swinging swing plug doors. They are supplied by Deans, and are pneumatically operated.

The ticket validator is located just behind the bus driver. Similar to all buses of this era, the ticket validator was retained after magnetic farecards were phased out in 2002, and used as a ticket printer for cash-paying passengers.

Priority seats are indicated in olive green seat covers, and are reserved for elderly and handicapped passengers, and passengers travelling with young children. One priority seat is located opposite the staircase and a further 4 priority seats occupy the row nearest to the exit door. Notably, double-deck buses typically feature multiple aisle-facing seats opposite the staircase, whereas SBS9889U features a front-facing seat.

A standing area is located behind the staircase and opposite the exit door, taking the place of a wheelchair bay onboard many newer buses. Although the Volvo B10TL offers low-floor access, it is not equipped as a wheelchair-accessible bus and thus also does not have a wheelchair ramp.

Grab poles and hand grips are located on both sides of the aisle. All seats also have hand grips to provide commuters with additional support.

Bus stopping bell-pushes are located around the bus cabin, mounted to stanchion poles. Emergency hammers also located on pillars in-between windows.

The seating layout at the rear is similar to the older Volvo Olympian and Dennis Trident buses, with two rows of front-facing seats followed by side-facing seats all the way till the last row, which is formed by 5 front-facing seats. This layout was likely chosen to avoid interfering with the wheel wells of the rear axles, but Volvo B10TL buses in other regions have accommodated front- and rear-facing seats throughout the lower deck.

Upper Deck

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

There are 55 seats on the upper deck. Grab poles run the length of the aisle for commuters moving around the bus. All seats also have hand grips to provide commuters with additional support.

Staircase

The staircase allows for passenger movement between the lower and upper decks of the bus. A seat counter (LED number display) on the lower deck displays the number of available seats on the upper deck.

Driver’s Compartment

The farebox, New Onboard Bus Equipment (NOBE) fare collection system and Trapeze Common Fleet Management System (CFMS) display unit are located on the left of the instrument cluster. Door controls and the handbrake lever are located on the right of the driver. CCTV monitors and the EDS control units are mounted above the driver.

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Gallery:

Bus Interiors:

Bus Exteriors:

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External Links & References:

• Main Article: Volvo B10TL

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