TransBus Enviro 500 is one of the latest model made by TransBus International, which is located in Scotland. There are currently over 200 buses of this model, and more are coming in 2005. It is designed and made according to current European standards and the operating environment of Hong Kong. This model is solely made for KMB.
TransBus International
To begin mentioning this model, we must talk about the company first. In 2002, Mayflower Bus and Coach acquired Dennis and Walter Alexander, and also integrated with Henlys. TransBus International was born at that time.
The main article is waiting to be included.
History
The first unit Enviro 500 arrived at Hong Kong on 12 November, 2002. It is a milestone of new generation air-conditioned super low-floor double-decker bus introduced in Hong Kong territory. KMB had placed orders to TransBus for over 200 units Enviro 500s. The Enviro 500 is a 12-metre, tri-axle double-decker with a Guildford-built chassis and Falkirk-assembled body designed to carry 124 people. (U53+L27+S44)
Enviro was developed by TransBus itself in 2002, integrated with all advantages of TransBus and its subsidiaries. Other bus manufacturers, such as MAN and DAF, are also developing new-generation low-floor buses, only slightly later than TransBus.
The model is based on the concept of Enviro 300, which is single-decker. As I've mentioned, it is designed and made according to Hong Kong's operating environment to meet the need in Hong Kong.
Exterior
As the first model of second-generation low-floor buses. Its 12-metre body, good-looking exterior makes good reputation.
Challenging the limitations of Hong Kong
The coming of the new bus has exceeded some limitations in Hong Kong. Transport Department had to make some exclusions to make the buses of KMB available on time.
- The width of the bus is 2550mm, beyond the past limit of 2500mm. The width of 2550mm has been approved by EU and becomes the current standard.
- The headlights are the smallest of all current models of KMB. This also had to be approved by TD.
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Interior
Lower Deck
As I've said, the width was increased to 2550mm, but don't underestimate the slightly increased number. With improved structure and change of many body components, there is extreme improvement on the lower-deck space. KMB can therefore install standard 440mm seats at the lower deck for the first time, making the seating standard constant for upper and lower decks.
Plug door is also introduced for the first time, which keeps the air-conditioning of the interior. According to the test result, it only occupies little space of the lower deck and there is no potential danger to the passengers.
Upper Deck
The upper deck also has a bright color combination. The straight staircase makes the corridor flat and straight.
However, there is no longer emergency exit at the end of upper deck. To remedy this, TransBus has placed more hammers for emergency exit.
Seating
Seats are also changed. The seats are made by Lazzerini, which is a manufacturer of Italy. It is designed according to somatic anthropology, making passengers more comfortable. This also makes transformation of seats difficult.
Air-conditioning
Air-conditioning is also greatly improved. It is produced by Nippon Denso. On the other hand, KMB has finally fulfiled the standard of having independent air-conditioning for each passenger. The style of independent air-conditioning is spherical, which was invented in 1990 and approved to be the best type of air-conditioning in 2002.
Operation
Since the introduction of the model, the buses were allocated to routes such as 1, 1A, 6, 9, 87D, 101, 182, 968, etc.. However, passengers of route 6 complained that Enviro 500s were allocated to the route, just less than a year after Volvo Super Olympians were allocated.
968 is the farthest route of which Enviro 500s were allocated, which runs between Yuen Long (West) and Causeway Bay (Tin Hau).
Soon later, ATE17 (KZ1026) becomes the first bus of the same model to have allover advertisement (Kumon).
