New Skybus Artic
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- system improver
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New Skybus Artic
Displayed at the recent Sydney Bus & Coach Show, a King Long 6180 AU:
Re: New Skybus Artic
Nice photos.
Sad to see Skybus take the cheaper option importing artics rather than getting locally built ones. Hope however many they purchase see the test of time like the Volgrens seem to be seeing. Afterall 24 hour services constantly on the road is a big task! They look very uncomfortable as well.
Sad to see Skybus take the cheaper option importing artics rather than getting locally built ones. Hope however many they purchase see the test of time like the Volgrens seem to be seeing. Afterall 24 hour services constantly on the road is a big task! They look very uncomfortable as well.
- jarf
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Re: New Skybus Artic
The exterior looks nice. The interior is a bit plain though.
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Re: New Skybus Artic
The exterior looks good but the interior looks average, those seats look VERY comfortable
Is Skybus a very profitable company? does anyone know?
Great Pics btw!
Is Skybus a very profitable company? does anyone know?
Great Pics btw!
- Connex
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Re: New Skybus Artic
Agreed about the exterior styling, but the exterior means absolutely squat if the framework is crap.Coca Cola wrote:The exterior looks good but the interior looks average, those seats look VERY comfortable
It's rather odd that all the seats, bar the fold ups, are raised from the floor right from the front unlike other conventional low-floors. And boy, do those seats look uncomfortable - maybe even worse than a Siemens in regards to padding.
SkyBus does pretty well for a non-Government subsidised service. I mean, if they can afford to run at 10 minute frequencies between the Airport and the City during the peak on without Government funding, they must be doing well.Coca Cola wrote:Is Skybus a very profitable company? does anyone know?
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- mrobsessed
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Re: New Skybus Artic
King Long frames are stainless steel, so you would think they'll stand the test of time. It wouldn't take a great deal to be better quality than our local aluminium body builder. I don't know about half an hour in those seats though.Flinders Flyer wrote:Agreed about the exterior styling, but the exterior means absolutely squat if the framework is crap.Coca Cola wrote:The exterior looks good but the interior looks average, those seats look VERY comfortable
- Trevor 062
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Re: New Skybus Artic
It's rather odd that all the seats, bar the fold ups, are raised from the floor right from the front unlike other conventional low-floors. [/quote]
The Fuel Tank Is Fitted Below The Floor..
The Fuel Tank Is Fitted Below The Floor..
- Connex
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Re: New Skybus Artic
Yes, but why have a raised floor all the way from the front door?Trevor 062 wrote:The Fuel Tank Is Fitted Below The Floor..
Even the other King Long that Skybus owns [a rigid] has a completely level low floor all the way to the second door, from there the remainder of the seats are raised above the rear axle as shown here.
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- RailwayBus
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Re: New Skybus Artic
To get people ready for when they start running C1 class trams on the service. Same seating arrangement.Flinders Flyer wrote:Yes, but why have a raised floor all the way from the front door?Trevor 062 wrote:The Fuel Tank Is Fitted Below The Floor..
Even the other King Long that Skybus owns [a rigid] has a completely level low floor all the way to the second door, from there the remainder of the seats are raised above the rear axle as shown here.
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- Connex
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Re: New Skybus Artic
Classic.RailwayBus wrote:To get people ready for when they start running C1 class trams on the service. Same seating arrangement.
They might have to rename themselves SkyTram if a C1s manages to derail itself at Spencer Street, enter the coach terminal and then run 100km/h down CityLink to the airport. Off track running on bitumen probably isn't good for the bogies.
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Re: New Skybus Artic
The sides and rear look as good as anything being offered, but the front looks plain....maybe more sigange to go on?
There does not seem to be a lot of luggage space for the number of seats? And I would say the seats were a cost option...imported plastic cheaper than local fully upholstered.
The raised floor around the saets does seem strange given low floors should be just that.
There does not seem to be a lot of luggage space for the number of seats? And I would say the seats were a cost option...imported plastic cheaper than local fully upholstered.
The raised floor around the saets does seem strange given low floors should be just that.
- The Cap a tan
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Re: New Skybus Artic
Probably a long shot, but would the raised floor in the front section be to keep the standies bums from being in the face of those sitting in the seats, or just to bring the seats up to a level where seated pax can see out the windows.Flinders Flyer wrote:Yes, but why have a raised floor all the way from the front door?Trevor 062 wrote:The Fuel Tank Is Fitted Below The Floor..
Even the other King Long that Skybus owns [a rigid] has a completely level low floor all the way to the second door, from there the remainder of the seats are raised above the rear axle as shown here.
Re: New Skybus Artic
Those seats look really crap, but from the quick sit in them I had, they arn't that bad at all. Probally not as good a full on coach seat, but still not that bad......
- Tim
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Re: New Skybus Artic
there crap because they have no paddingC130 wrote:Those seats look really crap, but from the quick sit in them I had, they arn't that bad at all. Probally not as good a full on coach seat, but still not that bad......
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Re: New Skybus Artic
Lucky most people carry their own padding these days then.Tim wrote:there crap because they have no paddingC130 wrote:Those seats look really crap, but from the quick sit in them I had, they arn't that bad at all. Probally not as good a full on coach seat, but still not that bad......
And for short trips how much padding is needed?
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Re: New Skybus Artic
So, why are they getting this new bus?
Are they for fleet expansion, or are they replacing their older fleet?
Are they for fleet expansion, or are they replacing their older fleet?
- Member1100
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Re: New Skybus Artic
Depends on the grade of the stainless steel. Aluminium doesnt rust, where as if they have used cheaper grade stainless steel, anything could happen. Lets hope the King Longs have improved since the first batch of buses arrived some time ago. They seemed to leave alot to be desired quality wise.mrobsessed wrote: King Long frames are stainless steel, so you would think they'll stand the test of time. It wouldn't take a great deal to be better quality than our local aluminium body builder. I don't know about half an hour in those seats though.
- shovelyjoe
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Re: New Skybus Artic
Nice snaps, system improver. Not a fan of the exterior or interior, but the drivers cab looks quite nice.
Re: New Skybus Artic
The interior of this bus has a very similar layout to that of the golden dragon buses. including the hard plastic seats which at 1st seem ok but i can tell you they are not after just 15 mins it feels like sitting on concrete. also leg room on these buses is very poor.
Very similar to this bus which are now common in Bangkok and are used on airport expressway services upto 3 hours in length.
The seating is almost the same as on this bus not very comfortable either.
I just hope the version in Melbourne has air suspension and not the horrible spring suspension as found on all the Bangkok versions. They are very bouncy and on some units this bouncing has cracked windows at the front and rear.
Very similar to this bus which are now common in Bangkok and are used on airport expressway services upto 3 hours in length.
The seating is almost the same as on this bus not very comfortable either.
I just hope the version in Melbourne has air suspension and not the horrible spring suspension as found on all the Bangkok versions. They are very bouncy and on some units this bouncing has cracked windows at the front and rear.
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- Denning-6V71
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Re: New Skybus Artic
Given their current buses run on airbags, giving them a 'kneel' function, I'd say it's likely this one's on airbags too.railex wrote:I just hope the version in Melbourne has air suspension and not the horrible spring suspension as found on all the Bangkok versions. They are very bouncy and on some units this bouncing has cracked windows at the front and rear.
Cheers,
John
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- CB80
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Re: New Skybus Artic
Airbags are standard on MAN chassis.Denning-6V71 wrote:Given their current buses run on airbags, giving them a 'kneel' function, I'd say it's likely this one's on airbags too.railex wrote:I just hope the version in Melbourne has air suspension and not the horrible spring suspension as found on all the Bangkok versions. They are very bouncy and on some units this bouncing has cracked windows at the front and rear.
Cheers,
John