SMRT Mercedes-Benz Citaro; First 100% Low-Floor Bus in Southeast Asia
Site Admin of Minibus Group, an Administrator of BusInfoHub, several bus enthusiasts and members of Friends of SMRT (FOSMRT) are invited to the launch of Southeast Asia’s first 100% low-floor Mercedes-Benz Citaro (O530) at SMRT Ang Mo Kio Depot on 9th March 2010. This historical moment marks the progress into a new era in Singapore bus industry, a full low floor, accessibility-friendly and *no internal steps bus.
Some quick facts of this bus:
1 driver, 39 passengers (including fold-up seat for two passengers) and 44 standing passengers.
Full low-floor along the corridor of the bus. One step to access rear section seats.
Fully built bodywork by EvoBus AG in Germany. Basically a one-through manufacture.
Large Gorba front display to enable passengers to spot the service number and route details.
Press Release:
SMRT: http://www.smrt.com.sg/Upload/201031010315179993.pdf
Articles written by enthusiasts on the launch:
BusInfoHub (affiliated): http://businfohub.com/cms/articles/specialfeature/smrtcitarolaunch
Photos taken during the event.
Mr Thomas Bauer, Senior Manager, Bus & Coach, Daimler SEA
Mr Wolfgang Huppenbauer, Executive Managing Director, Daimler Bus (Germany)
Mr Michael Gopfarth, CEO, Daimler SEA
Ms Saw Phaik Hwa, President and CEO, SMRT Corporation
Handover of key to Ms Saw.
Handover of Citaro model (scale 1:32) to Ms Saw.
Round of applause as the bus is driven in.
Demonstrating its wheelchair-friendly feature.
Executives from Daimler and SMRT impressed by the bus’ features.
Interior without stairs; guests move quickly towards the rear, demonstrating what the bus is designed to do.
Showcasing its full 11.9-meter length.
Two buses, decades apart. The step-bus Nissan Diesel U31 RCN (JDM: K-U31) and the Mercedes-Benz Citaro (O530).
I am very grateful to FOSMRT liason officer, Vivian, for finding two staff from Daimler Group SEA who could answer my technical questions. Excerpts.
Q: Why is the OM 906 hLA used on the Citaro instead of the OM 457 hLA that present OC500LE buses are using?
A: Citaro buses come with the smaller 906 as it is suited for the bus. The 457 is designed for sub-urban usage and has a larger power, while the 906 is sufficient for city usage.
Q: Fuel consumption wise, would it be lower and more effective than the 457?
A: This has to depend on many conditions. Different routes, different drivers will affect fuel consumption. At this point there cannot be a specific figure other than benchmark ones.
Q: In achieving this full low-floor design, the engine has to be shifted to the side. Does this mean more sophistication?
A: Yes, a total new design of the engine mounted on the left is what makes it able to achieve a full low-floor specification.
Q: What is special about the radiator system?
A: The radiator for the Citaro uses a hydraulic driven fan. The radiator is mounted on the outer frame, the intercooler on the inner frame. The fan is driven using hydraulic oil. This is different from magnetic driven ones on the OC500LE.
Q: The OM 906 hLA have more horsepower-per-liter compared to the 457. How different would this be in performance?
A: The 906 would be efficient and depending on its mixture method and its efficiency, it would be as effective as the 457.
Q: In the hot and humid climate of Singapore, does the cooling efficiency of the vehicle need special or larger cooling capacity?
A: The Citaro is sold worldwide. They even operate in Dubai, where its a desert climate. One size fits all.
Q: Gearbox of the vehicle?
A: ZF 6HP592C.
Q: Why not the Ecolife drive-line?
A: The Ecolife is suitable for countries with more terrain, and is fitted with the TopoDyn software system. in Singapore, a conventional drive-line is sufficient.
Q: Air conditioning unit?
A: Konvekta.
Q: Does IFS (Independent Front Suspension) make it a more comfortable ride for this bus?
A: You would have to ride it to find out. Basically it is better than a conventional suspension.
Q: Fuel capacity?
A: About 200 liters.
Regarding the secret of full low-floor…
Longitudinal, side mounted horizontal diesel engine.
Scania, Checkmate.
*No internal steps mean no step(s) along the corridor of the bus.
Tags: 100% Low Floor, Ang Mo Kio Depot, Citaro, Daimler, Mercedes Benz, O530, OM906hLA, SMRT Buses
March 12th, 2010 at 23:34
Hi Bus Ethusiants,
WOW !!! Awesome pictures. I’m really looking forward to taking this bus and feel the difference between the OC 500 and scania euro V buses. Do you have any idea whelther there will be just 1 citaro bus on svc for a year or will the remainder 65 be slowly put on service? Lastly, does anyone have any clue where is SBS T OC 500 Bus, i last saw it at Cycle And carriage last year but has ‘disappeared’ , and quietly wondering where is it ?
April 5th, 2010 at 01:03
The demo OC500LE for SBS Transit has been sold to private operator Chitson. As of now, official words from SMRT is that the Citaro is on one year trial. Whether they will bring in more before the 1 year trial period is up, that we have to wait and see.
July 8th, 2010 at 15:59
Hi there,
just wanted to feedback a slight error in your report. The captions for Mr Wolfgang Huppenbauer and Mr Michael Gopfarth have been mixed up. (i.e. name to the wrong face). Other than that, nice coverage of the event!
A little insider info: a couple completed SMRT logo-ed Citaro buses were seen by a colleague at the Mannheim plant in the delivery floor on June 30th 2010. Expect their arrivals in the coming weeks!
July 11th, 2010 at 00:24
hi joe,
many thanks and appreciate your information on this. enthusiasts and commuters alike in Singapore look forward to more Citaro buses coming as they really fit the bill for accesibility and comfort all at the same time.
i have confidence in Mercedes-Benz/Evobus to put together good products like the Citaro into the future!
regards
Terence Au