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Leyland Atlantean AN68/2R

In 1977, SBS bought 20 Leyland Atlanteans for trial. They were the very first double deckers in Singapore. 10 buses received a bodywork from British Aluminium Co. while the rest had bodies by Metal Sections. Unlike the present double deckers, these buses had sliding windows at the front and rear upper deck. The rear lower deck had a sliding window too. They also had a one-and-a half width entrance, something which were not seen again on SBS buses until 1984.

The trial proved successful in 1978. A year later (1979), 100 more Atlanteans, with an Alexander L-type bodywork, were ordered. Another 100 buses, this time with Duple Metsec bodywork, were also bought. All of them entered service in 1980. Both types had single width entrances. The entrance of the Duple Metsec bus was the narrowest I could remember! It was very difficult to board especially if you're carrying luggage. But it had a unique exit with doublel folding doors. It was the only SBS bus ever to have such an exit. All these buses had sliding windows which could only be opened at one end. The 'unlucky' passengers, especially those seated at the front upper deck,  were left feeling hot and sticky.

SBS purchased another 200 Atlanteans which entered service between 1984 - 1988. They were the last  Atlanteans to be produced. This was due to the purchase of Leyland by Volvo Bus Corporation. Volvo had ceased all production of Leyland buses except for the Olympians. By this time, SBS would have 400 Leyland Atlanteans operating islandwide. Together with 200 Mercedes-Benz 0305 and another 200 Leyland Olympian (10.4m, non a/c), it brought a grand total of 800 double deckers!

The buses had an Alexander R-type bodywork and boasts new features. They include a ventilation system, bus stopping signs and more comfortable seats with blue upholstry. However, the space between the seats on the upper deck is quite narrow. They also had a one-and-a-half width entrance, where the driver could choose to open one or both entrance doors. Another new concept is the introduction of push buttons to operate the doors. Before, the driver would turn a small lever to open/close them.

On the lower deck, the engine is located right behind the rearmost seat. With a glass panel on that side of the bus, hot air escaping from the engine and Singapore's stifling heat, passengers sitting there are literally roasted. The seats above the wheels are placed back-to-back rather than facing each other (like a subway's).

In the 1990s, SBS started to refurbish its bus fleet. New buses were bought to replace the old and the Leyland Atlanteans were not spared. 99 L-type Atlanteans were sold to Citybus of Hong Kong in 1993. The Duple Metsec Atlanteans were sold to Jakarta and various cities on mainland China. The same goes for the BACo bodied Atlanteans while the rest were probably scrapped, leaving only the R-type Atlanteans.

Now, its their turn. Only 34 R-type Atlanteans remain, serving the feeder routes of Bedok, Tampines and Pasir Ris New Towns. The rest had been withdrawn and one was sold to Citybus as a training bus. A few of them are sent to Civil Defence camps where they are used for rescue training. SBS have put all the 34 buses for sale.

(UPDATE: I made a trip to Bedok and Pasir Ris recently. The Leyland Atlanteans were nowhere to be seen. Perhaps they had been withdrawn completely. Cheers to all the Leyland Atlantean AN68/2R for over 20 years of service!)

BUS STATISTICS
Model Leyland Atlantean AN68/2R Total Displacement 11093 cc
Body Walter Alexander R-type Gearbox Leyland Pneumocyclic
Chassis Origin United Kingdom Assembled by Soon Chow & Defu Plant
Length 10.2 m Year of Registration 1984 - 1986
Width 2.5 m Seating Capacity (Upper) 51
Height 4.42 m Seating Capacity (Lower) 32
Gross Weight 16256 kg Standing 12
Engine Leyland 680 Total Passenger Capacity 96
No. of Cylinders 6 No. of Buses 34

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