Debate: Scania K230UB vs Mercedes Benz Citaro 0530

gekpohboy SG

I live in Jurong West, but I prefer the green buses in Punggol. Indeed, the grass is greener at the other side. Sad

gekpohboy SG

Seriously, why did SBS Transit stop buying the Scania K230UB buses? I prefer the Scania K230UB buses to the Mercedes-Benz Citaro 0530 buses, where the seats are more comfortable and the air-conditioning is stronger.

Anyway, what is the point in creating this thread, when the authorities may neither read this thread, nor intend to purchase additional units of the Scania K230UB buses?

It would be good if someone can start a petition to ask the authorities to purchase more Scania K230UB buses.

sgbuses SG

Anyway, what is the point in creating this thread, when the authorities may neither read this thread, nor intend to purchase additional units of the Scania K230UB buses?

It would be good if someone can start a petition to ask the authorities to purchase more Scania K230UB buses.

Unfortunately, if you do succeed you risk receiving just as much vitriol from bus lobbyists as that poor LTA bus planner did over service 76.

The community has been in the gutter for years, full of lobbyists, and the situation is not going to get better anytime soon.

gekpohboy SG

Unfortunately, if you do succeed you risk receiving just as much vitriol from bus lobbyists as that poor LTA bus planner did over service 76.

The community has been in the gutter for years, full of lobbyists, and the situation is not going to get better anytime soon.

but, from the replies here in this thread, it seems that on the contrary, bus lobbyists want Scania K230UB, not Mercedes Benz Citaro 0530.

so, if I succeed getting the authorities to buy Scania K230UBs, I will be attacked by the bus lobbyists for helping them get what they want? It does not make sense.

by the way, please avoid using those complicated words (vitriol & gutter). i did not even bother checking the dictionary, but only guess the meaning.

gekpohboy SG

The grass is always greener on the other side.

So, which bus you prefer?

sgbuses SG

but, from the replies here in this thread, it seems that on the contrary, bus lobbyists want Scania K230UB, not Mercedes Benz Citaro 0530.

so, if I succeed getting the authorities to buy Scania K230UBs, I will be attacked by the bus lobbyists for helping them get what they want? It does not make sense.

by the way, please avoid using those complicated words (vitriol & gutter). i did not even bother checking the dictionary, but only guess the meaning.

You haven't been here long enough. Try going through the archives or social media groups.

sgbuses SG

So, which bus you prefer?

No particular preference.

If I am carrying luggage, I would like a K230UB. If I was rushing for time, a MAN A22. If I was taking a few stops, a Citaro.

gekpohboy SG

actually, from the bus driver perspective, they prefer Mercedes, so it’s definitely Mercedes Benz Citaro. because the Mercedes engine more reliable ma; won’t so easily spoil. although Mercedes vehicle more expensive, but there’s less maintenance required. so, I think in terms of long term expenditure, Mercedes Benz Citaro is better because it’s cheaper.

actually, I have been following this forum for quite a while, since around 2009, so I know roughly why. From what’s written here last time, some ppl say that it’s because the Scania K230UB not nice, that’s why SBS regret buying, and dun wanna buy anymore of them.

or… is the reason the same as what I wrote in the first paragraph, about Mercedes engine being more reliable?

SBS5010P SG

Actually the main purpose for Scania KUBs are to replace the old mercedes buses 0405 buses while the citaros are used to replace the retiring volvo MKIII/B10Ms..

But really, Scania KUBs are much better imo. Yes i do agree the pickup of the KUBs are much slower than the citaros but the interior of the citaro is super squeezy. Also, there can only be a 1 row of passengers standing in the citaro while the Scania KUB can fit 2 rows. And there's a super huge compartment at the back, wasting opportunity cost for implementing 1-2 more seats. Scania KUBs can be jerky, but trust me the legroom you have will compensate for the "jerkiness".

Not to mention the unadjustable aircon ducts as well.. Sometimes on hot days its super hot and you can't feel the air-con as well. The sensors on the back doors can be quite frustrating at times as the drivers are unable to close the doors if the bus is super crowded and one of the items/ the foot of the passenger goes close to the sensor. You can feel the heat when seating at the back of the bus already.. and the citaros are only bought for less than 3 years? if im not wrong

From driver's perspective, they just dont like the position of the door opening and closing buttons in the citaros, as they are more used to the traditional style, where the door closing and opening buttons are on their right.

SBS5010P SG

or… is the reason the same as what I wrote in the first paragraph, about Mercedes engine being more reliable?

Who says mercedes benz citaro is cheaper?? Mercedes Benz itself is already a premium and superior good and utilises exclusive distribution in Singapore by Cycle and carriage, and i am sure that their buses do not come cheap as well otherwise everywhere in the world are already using their buses already ad not volvo or man..

Imo the scania kubs are cheaper.. and SBS Transit does get discounts for bulk purchases, that's why they bought 1,001 Scania KUBs at once. Of course imo MAN A22 is the best in terms of pickup speed and comfortability. Scania KUBs for legroom.

carbikebus SG

K230UB is cheaper because they only buy the chassis and the basic engine spec,Try buy a CBU Scania with their own bodyworks and of course engine options as well.

SBS5010P SG

K230UB is cheaper because they only buy the chassis and the basic engine spec,Try buy a CBU Scania with their own bodyworks and of course engine options as well.

Citaro they only buy the chassis also what no meh? From what i know SBST buys the chassis of Volvo B9TLs

TIB429E SG

I would choose Citaro.

Why?

- Wider seats for all, more comfortable. Compared to just 1 wide seats on KUB.
- Better comfort, not much vibrations.
- Engine sounds alright, not like crappy KUBs.

BUT
- Air-conditioning can be improve for some units. Overall, they aren't that bad afterall.

Even OCs are better than KUBs...

carbikebus SG

Citaro they only buy the chassis also what no meh? From what i know SBST buys the chassis of Volvo B9TLs

Are you drunk?Citaro is a completely built up unit.

carbikebus SG

I would choose Citaro.

Why?

- Wider seats for all, more comfortable. Compared to just 1 wide seats on KUB.
- Better comfort, not much vibrations.
- Engine sounds alright, not like crappy KUBs.

BUT
- Air-conditioning can be improve for some units. Overall, they aren't that bad afterall.

Even OCs are better than KUBs...

KUBs is okay provided they dont restrictes the acceleration and maintain well..Its already have only 230hp so dont expect it to be a rocket.OCs is good but only letdown by SMRT crappy maintenance..I knew some OCs can speed up at highways overtaking lorroes and vans too.

gekpohboy SG

Are you drunk?Citaro is a completely built up unit.

carbikebus, you prefer Scania k230ub or Mercedes Benz Citaro?

carbikebus SG

carbikebus, you prefer Scania k230ub or Mercedes Benz Citaro?

I dont have any preferences,A well maintain K230UB with great acceleration and top speed of 65kmh is already good..Unrestricted Citaros also good compared to restricted A22s.Sometimes HP and Torque is just a figure only..

gekpohboy SG

Actuallly, I am also neutral. For me, I am only concerned about the costs. I do not care about the comfort, since the seats and stuff are all designed with ergonomics and stuff in mind.

About the costs, I am looking at the cash flow analysis, about the cumulative cash flow (cumulative energy savings - cumulative maintenance costs - initial capital costs) after a period of time (the higher the better), about how long it takes to break even (the shorter the better).

Of course, only the people working for LTA, SBS, SMRT, etcetera. would know the costs and savings of the bus model. So, I am not able to compare the costs of Scania k230ub and Mercedes Benz Citaro and say which bus model has a higher projected cash flow.

What we (the commoners) can do is only to choose which seat design, etcetera. we prefer, and I think that's about it. In this case, I am neutral.

ButIAmAToilet SG

Pretty much any SMRT buses (performance-wise) except the E500. Most of their buses (especially the older O405Gs) fly down the expressways. It feels much faster than most other HC buses.

SBST O405s and earlier VOs deserved a mention though

TIB429E SG

AMDEP OCs are well maintained, especially those from 851. Infact, they are the remaining OCs that is as good as a brand new one.

KUB - Most of it is damn crappy, some even worst than the poor maintained OC in SMRT fleet.

If Citaro wise, SBST ones are better in terms of air-conditioning.

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