B line MAN ND323F

[OLYMPIAN]

A Number of photos taken on the first day of B line

Due to technical issues, I am unable to resize the photos in html source

PHotos are available on the following link

https://www.facebook.com/pg/kmb2e/photo ... 5933443764

[Tim Williams]

Thanks for the photos - the shade of yellow seems good, earlier photos did not show it up well. Considering that the MAN body style is very "boxy", the clever use of relatively minor styling bits and pieces really soften the overall look in a very positive way.

It is interesting to compare this type operating in the various liveries around - these Sydney buses are slightly lower in height than the other ones.
I am aware of these companies operating (or soon to be operating) this type:
1. TfNSW - B Line.
2. Forest Sydney (Soon).
3. Singapore will be approx. 200 units over several contractors.
4. KMB Hong Kong.
5. NWFB Hong Kong - only one unit? @ 12.8mtrs.
6. Discovery Bay HK - only one unit?
7. MAN liveried prototype - SG.
8. Several closed top restaurant buses HK.
9. Several open top buses HK.
10.The prototype in Sydney (slightly lower than the B Lines) in normal Sydney blue and white.

I would say that this model has been a surprising success for MAN and Gemilang. My favorite liveries are Singapore (especially with the feature grey panels etc,) and Discovery Bay.
Please add to this list if I have missed some, which is fairly likely.

[OLYMPIAN]

Tim

The A95 chassis also built as a 14m Single deck for NZ, such as Skybus (bustech bodied), GO bus (Gemilang) and at least one for Busit (designline body)


Originally there was a talk about A95 DD demo 6413 for demonstration in Auckland, but seems like they have missed out the tender for DD over there.

[Tim Williams]

Hi Olympian,

Thanks for the reply and information - with this B Line order going to MAN/Gemilang, as good a product as it is, it does seem a great shame that the Volvo/Volgren DD didn't get a go - it also seems a good product and should be fine, now allowable axle weights have been increased - I guess cost must have been the major factor, although I could be wrong. It is interesting to note that the older Volgren DD's in Hong Kong and Singapore (MAN's & Volvo's) seem to rattle a lot less than some of the more recent "other bodies".

In reference to my list of MAN/Gemilangs above, Discovery Bay has 4 units - they basically replaced 5 second hand ex Citybus Alexander/Olympians.

[OLYMPIAN]

For those who don't know, the axle weight limit for DD is basically raising 1.5t to the tandem axle.

There is no changes to the front axle limit.

That is proofing the fact front is NOT too heavy.

[Swift]

^Well duhh, no engine there. (scorn not directed at Olympian).