8030 in words. a review
two words.. i like... the inside
and now for too many words....
forget the outside. people have given bad names based on the
outside. like demonator (sv966), ( ugly bus) ZYX / Mysterio bus
(Off_service) - names copyright \XD
but the isndie ooh lala
a soothing yellow n beige configuration to calm you down. big wide
windows gives the bus an big big feeling.
some seats are fitted at the front where the validator used to
stand. these are the granny seats (SBS-boy) copyright. for grannies
with children to seat together as they give space for 1 and a half
pax. although listed as space for 1. So the volvo b7RLE has only 28
seats compared to the k230Ub which has 29 seats.
still at he front we plonk ourselves down at the granny seat to see
the driver handle the bus. at the front u notice a volvo badge.
this badging everywhere signifies that the bus is belong to volvo
and not to SBS yet. given to SBS as demonstrator. u will find
another volvo badge at the rear seating area. ah haaaah the rear
seating area, will come to that later.
u find the seat is abit rigid but the cushion provides ample
comfort. u are in fact seating on the first Singapore bus to use a
vogesitze new gen bucket style seat. used more commonly in Europe
and Australia. the seat is made in Australia. the reason to use
these seats maybe is due to our Malaysian counterparts DEFTEC which
built the rapidKl Same model bus, fit them with bucket style
seats.
the dash looks like a typical b7RLe. but lately i been looking at
bus dashes of modern buses and they do have on board computers.like
the case of the Enviro 500 dash i seen recently in pix form on web.
, the bus dash provides viewing displays for gauges and other info
by tabbing through tabs like in windows like that.
the volvo b7RLE also features a on-bus diagnostic tab. assumed to
be the ZF's Mobitec software implanted into the bus computer.
Assumed used to diagnose transmission and/or engine problems.
you pan past the dash and u see something with WABCO. what is
that?
that is a tyre and axle diagnostic panel. fitted onto the Soon Chow
B7RLE by WABCo. it is a WABCO Smartboard gen 2. found more commonly
in trucks and trailer trucks. trucks transport loads. and if the
tyre pressure is not optimal, a tyre burst u in big trouble if the
truck lose control. so the idea for the diagnostic devices. if the
Micehllin logo on he device does not convince u that it is a device
for tyre checking then i dunno leow.
when on, the display should show a skeletal structure of the bus
where the tyres are. if a tyre is deemed to be in error. the tyre
there will flash. if all is well, the turtle button is lit up. THIS
is Singapore's first public bus with a tyre diagnostic system. more
common in Europe.
those of u who in army drive MAN 5 -tonner trucks can also go see
the tyre diagnsotic panels in those 5 tonner trucks. (operating
instructions given by Alan who used to guan 5-tonner trucks in
army?)
at the rear we find a common configuration on the rears of the
mercedes Citaro. all around rear seats. first in Singapore but on a
Volvo bus. this arrangement allows u to have a good meeting at the
rear of the bus and not distract people. perhaps a curtain could be
provided to enclose the area for a better discussion
environment.
at the rear exit, after fitting the seats and the steps there is
extra space carved out. Tis space i find it cool as they even put a
strap holf for one person to hold n stand there. i call it one-man
standee. its located right behind the exit door.
the wheelchair slot in bus also come with more grip areas for the
wheelchair user for added safety.
from rear u can view the floor of the bus so many maintenance
hatches.. this is for easy maintenance of the bus. i count 3 at the
back and 1 right at the front.
i believe the hatch at the front is for access to the front axle or
the ECU
ride wise, if sit at front, the suspension is soft as expected for
a Volvo bus. at back nice comfy ride. bus picks up real quick with
is over powering 290 HP engine. that is way better than the n113CRb
of Scania SBS with 264HP. that exlains the chiong sensation when
the bus moves. bus uses a ZF5HP592C gearbox not 6 speed. no
rattling due to superior workmanship by oon Chow Coachworks. very
good bus
review done
ZYX
