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Leyland Olympian 12m |
| In 1993, 3-axled, 12m long
air-conditioned double-decker buses made their debut in Singapore. Nicknamed the Superbus,
they are the biggest bus to set wheels here. The buses receive a new livery and the word
Superbus is written on all sides. They were also given 4-digit registration numbers which
begins with 9 (eg. SBS 9000). SBS placed an order for 200 Leyland Olympians (SBS 9000 - 9199). They were the last buses to be built at the Leyland plant in Workington, England. Thereafter, in June of that year, the Olympians are manufactured in Irvine, Scotland and carry the Volvo brandname. 10 Leyland Olympians were put on trial on service no. 7. After the trial gained success, they were introduced on routes that go though the Orchard Road area, the shopping district of Singapore. The Superbus proved to be popular. SBS ordered more to be placed on routes that serve the Central Business District (CBD). Now, there are 670 Superbuses (Leyland/Volvo) running all over the island. The Leyland Superbuses all received an Alexander R-type bodywork which is slightly different to the non air-conditioned version. Its one-and-a-half width entrance had 2 doors of equal size which opens simultaneously. Beside the entrance is a small compartment for holding the plastic destination plate. The compartment also holds flourescent tubes to illuminate the plate at night. At the front, the bus had single piece windscreens which rounds off the sides. This gives the driver and passengers on the front upper deck a 'wide view' of the surroundings. The extra large destination equipment ensures that the bus number could be seen from afar. The overall height on the lower deck is rather low due to the air-conditioning ducts. Besides a main central duct, the Leyland Olympian had auxillary ducts which extend above the seats. On the upper deck, a duct extends from the rear on both sides. A drawback for the Superbuses is that the upper-deck tend to be be colder than the lower deck, especially when it's not so hot outside (eg. in the morning). Probably because the cold air escape whenever the entrance/exit is opened. This prompts the driver to increase the fan speed without knowing that upper-deck passengers are freezing. (I once saw the thermometer at 18 C while it is about 30 C outside!) |
| BUS STATISTICS | |||
| Model | Leyland Olympian | Overall Width (Exit) | 1.171 m |
| Bodywork | Walter Alexander | Clear Width (Entrance) | 1.11 m |
| Chassis No. | ON20822 | Clear Width (Exit) | 1.0 m |
| Chassis Origin | United Kingdom | Rear Bumper Height | 5.95 m |
| Year of Registration | 1993 | Gangway Width (Alongside Driver) | 8.47 m |
| No. of Buses | 200 | Gangway Width (Opposite Staircase) | 9.28 m |
| Length | 12.05 m | Seating Capacity (Upper) | 55 |
| Wheelbase (2nd + 3rd Axles) | 5.6 + 1.6 m | Seating Capacity (Lower) | 38 |
| Front Overhang | 2.312 m | Standing | 38 |
| Rear Overhang | 2.356 m | Total Passenger Capacity | 131 |
| Height | 4.382 m | Unladen Weight | 14 400 kg |
| Floor Height | 5.81 m | Laden Weight (1st Axle) | 7300 kg |
| Headroom (Lower) | 1.811 m | Laden Weight (2nd + 3rd Axles) | 6340 + 9860 kg |
| Headroom (Upper) | 1.743 m | Gross Vehicle Weight | 23 500 kg |
| Width | 2.45 m | Turning Circle | 22.0 m |
| No. of Steps (Entrance) | 2 | Engine | Cummins LT10 |
| No. of Steps (Exit) | 2 | Total Displacement | 10 014 cc |
| Step Height (Entrance) | 3.66 + 2.15 m | Gearbox | ZF 4HP500 |
| Step Height (Exit) | 3.66 + 2.15 m | Transmission | 5-speed Automatic |
| Overall Width (Entrance) | 1.24 m | Air-conditioner | Sutrak / Nippondenso |
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