SINGAPORE ORDERS 150 VOLVO/WRIGHT DOUBLE-DECKER BUSES
Volvo Buses has secured an order for 150 double-deckers for Singapore. The customer, SBS Transit, has opted for the environmentally friendly Euro V engines, although these are not yet a requirement in Singapore. The bodies will be supplied by Wright. The value of the order is about US$ 60 million.
SBS Transit is one of Volvo Buses’ most important customers. Since 1981, Volvo has delivered more than 1,700 buses to the company. With this order, Volvo maintains its position as the primary supplier of double-deck buses to SBS Transit. The order is for 150 double-deckers built on the Volvo B9TL chassis. The chassis will be produced in Borås, Sweden, while the bodywork that is to be made by Wrightbus will be mounted in Singapore. Deliveries will occur in 2010.
The customer has opted to equip the buses with engines that comply with Euro V, the strict exhaust-gas regulations that will implemented in Europe this autumn. It has not yet been decided when these requirements will be introduced in Singapore, but this is the way for SBS Transit to show its continued commitment to environmental protection in Singapore
The 12m air-conditioned tri-axle bus bodies will be supplied as completely knocked down (CKD) kits from the Ballymena factory in Northern Ireland and assembled locally in Singapore. Designed to meet the specific requirements of climate and high capacity transport on the Island City State, the new Double Deck buses feature share the highly distinctive styling cues from the highly acclaimed Wrightbus StreetCar RTV and Gemini 2 product stable.
An initial prototype vehicle is currently in build and when completed and shipped overseas will provide a benchmark for local production, which is due to commence in spring 2010. Wright Group quality standards will be maintained by a highly experienced team of engineers from the Wrightbus factory, who will train local assembly staff in Singapore.
Delivery of the CKD kits is scheduled to start early in 2010, with all vehicles due to be fully assembled and in service by the end of the year.
