Actually many years ago Hong Kong considered ordering Neoplan
JumboCrusiers because the population density in HK is very high and
HK needs buses with high capacity to cope with the transportation
of people. But the JumboCrusier has many problems (as indicated
above) and Neoplan recommended the Megashuttle, a 15m 4-axle
double-decker... (Neoplan even sent a Megashuttle to HK for trial
run!) However, bus companies in HK found the 15m Megashuttle too
long, and it was not suitable for the narrow HK streets (plus all
the bends and sharp turns and steep slopes...)... In the end, the
bus companies in HK ordered the 12m Centroliner from Neoplan. But
now, bus companies realise that Neoplan Centroliners are not as
reliable as the other models (such as Volvo Olympian and Dennis
Trident). Centroliners tend to break down more often and they are
more difficult to maintain... (After all, HK bus mechanics are used
to British buses - Leyland, Volvo, Dennis, etc. To them, Neoplan is
totally new and different.)
If you visit HK, you'll notice that most of the buses in HK are
double-decker. (In fact HK has the highest number of air-con DD in
the world. Haha.) Articulated buses are not used in HK because of
the demanding road conditions... Also, the traffic jams in HK are
terrible and articulated buses will make things worse as they
occupy more road spaces. Singapore is lucky to have road conditions
suitable for articulated buses (wider, straighter roads). In fact,
some of my HK relatives are excited to see articulated buses here
in Singapore, because they never see one in HK before! LOL...
