Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!
leylandlogo.jpg (3479 bytes) Return to Interchange

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

Photos not ready

Make your own Leyland Olympian Superbus


Back to SBS page Press once to alight

TRANS ISLAND BUS SERVICE SINGAPORE SHUTTLE BUS

PAPER BUS MODELS

LINKS