Busways #873 Delivered to Buladelah this morning,
Wish i had my DSLR with me not a camera phone

MAN 18.280 auto
SB400 body number 07-157 (must have been sitting a while as bus is brand new)

Is this the 1st new new bus bought for the north under Busways Ownership?

And still on MO xxxx plates too.

Wow, thanks for posting.... And without a trial of that type of vehicle before purchase.... Any idea if it was for another operator originally or how many Busways are getting?

Wasnt there a SB400 at the BusVic Conference earlier this year?

none for blacktown

Why would any go to Blacktown? This bus is a school bus, hence its name SchoolBus400.

Under the new 'Non-Commercial' contracts the MOT has something to do with purchasing the Buses,
I believe it was set up for QLD school , as the Bus had to have the school lights modifed and a gyross system installed.

These are really good looking buses, Hermit Park Bus Service here has a pile of these with Iveco motors in them, and they look great. Probably the best body Custom has come up with since the old round buses of the 80s.

I'm just happy it's not a flippin van

Have a go at the Customs part of the dash. 1980 CC bodies had better finish than that!

It's pretty hard to integrate anything nicely, with that stupidly curved MAN dash.

I'd say it was a stock unit, which would make it a pretty good purchase, either way. There are MAN 16.240s, and despite the age gap, I'm sure there are going to be some common or similar parts there.

The M A N letters on the front perhaps....

Andrew wrote:The M A N letters on the front perhaps....

Thats about it!!

Everything is electronic on it, rear engine, a rotary switch for gear selecting. nothing like a 16.240

It's quite simple from what I have been told by various rural operators - It is not possible to purchase "second hand" vehicles anymore (although this may vary between type A & B contracts). Therefore the days of Busways transferring older vehicles up the coast may be numbered. Furthermore, also depending on either Type A or B contracts, average age limits have been lifted closer to the 16 mark.

Matt_OH1621 wrote:Thats about it!!

Everything is electronic on it, rear engine, a rotary switch for gear selecting. nothing like a 16.240

Yup, definitely a lot different to the 16.240's of old. They should probably come up with a new designation to differenciate them.

(I've been told the rotary switch is European standard, any confirmation?)

I see that Busways Shaker/Brake test trailer in the 3rd photo being towed by the Toyota Coaster. Is it still leaking hydraulic oil from the pump Mat????

Not to mention the old 16.240's had a 12 litre MAN made mercedes engine in it, similar that in the O405's, where as this has a 6.9 litre engine. Well done, should hopefully be better than the smaller engined MAN's of old that were ridled with engine/gearbox troubles.

Stoney!

KING BROS wrote:I see that Busways Shaker/Brake test trailer in the 3rd photo being towed by the Toyota Coaster. Is it still leaking hydraulic oil from the pump Mat????

Thats what I went down for, to pick it up and take to Port Depot so it can go your way for RTA


Don't know about the Oil leak as we dont have to use it at all

I would refer you to the red text at the top of every page in this forum...

Sorry to bring up old topic but I am looking for photos of bus 873 which is now at Yamba depot, does anyone happen to have a copy of the pics they can share with me?