The decision to purchase the ‘incorrigible’ KUBs has to be one
of the worst decisions ever made by SBST. The
combination of an underpowered engine, unstable chassis and flimsy
bodywork epitomizes the failure of profit-oriented corporate
decisions. What many local transport companies in general fail to
realize is that a higher initial investment in better vehicles with
integral bodywork (e.g. Citaros and MAN Lion City
buses) could prove more cost-effective in the long run due to
improved fuel economy and more importantly lower maintenance costs,
unlike those with custom bodyworks like the CDGE
B9TLs. This is especially true for the KUBs since a lot of money
must go into solving vibration issues and other nitty-gritty
details that are starting to fail, along with howling radiators
that are struggling to cool the engine due to poor airflow designs
of custom bodyworks. I am extremely saddened by many local
transport companies which choose to purchase horrible
MIC buses which will definitely return horrible gas
mileages and emit unbelievable amounts of exhaust gases, which will
then need constant maintenance to meet LTA
regulations.
Scania K230UB can still cope w/ NTU's slope while the ageing
LO3x can't... So what it tells? mmm...
As for the MAN, it can't even carry people after the exit door
area.. You try deploying it to airport svs, you see what happens. I
lived by the era w/o MRT, I still able to squeeze and alight the
bus safely.
The radiators is something of an old problem... Which is why
people will still go for Japanese car than European makes as far as
possible.
MIC buses is cheap wat...
Exhaust gas is all to do w/ tuning of your engine
regularly...
