Military and civilian got difference... At least you don't get
charged or sign extra duties for longer than 'standard' hair. But
in civilian, your results mean everything. In military some carry
balls will mean easier promotion. But in civilian, its the survival
of the fittest. Thats why I feel that in SBS, the challenges are
there. Much more than I was in SAF. Because every decision that I
make will affect the end users which are the passengers. So I must
at all cost place the safety and comfort of my passengers and BC as
top priority. Not forgetting also to give my workshop staff a safe
environment to provide the best results to present to all the
passengers.
We do run in the engines. If we do not run in, then our engines
won't last. This is applicable to all engines regardless its a car
or bus or motorcycle. Engines are very costly. I'm not sure whether
there're any preservative chemicals as when I joined SBST, the
buses were already in storage. But the CNG buses do not have fuel
tanks for preservative chemicals like the Vappro anti-Corrosion
Inhibitors which SAF is using. The fuel tanks are replaced by 8 gas
tanks on the roof of the bus. These gas are ignited by spark plugs.
So the engine is somewhat similar to a petrol engine. The CNG bus
engine is 'boxer'styled like a BMW motorcycle as the engine is
mounted lying down. (pistons move horizontally.) But it's also
technically correct to say its an inline 6 cylinder turbo charged
petrol/CNG engine. If pple were to say CNG buses are not safe as
these gas will detonate if leak, it is not true. For the CNG to
detonate, we need to have 10%-15% CNG and the rest normal
atmospheric air, plus a condition of minimum 680 degress celcius,
plus a mode of ignition (spark). Only 1 place in this world are we
able to achieve such a condition. That is inside the combustion
chamber of the engine where temperatures can hit as high as 2000
degree C. There is no way anyone other than God can create such a
condition in the normal atmosphere. If there is indeed a leakage,
then all that it will cause is a reduced mileage. But such problems
will be tackled when the bus returns to the depot for PM servicing
frequently. All workshop staffs will do our best to ensure only the
best goes to the route groups which in turn are presented to
passengers by our BC.
I'm monitoring the performance and camouflaged problems of the CNG
buses while its on the road. And will keep tabs on all technical
problems that might create any possibilities to cause discomfort or
danger. I'd rather react to a false alarm rather than to let go any
possible risk to any of my passenger's safety or comfort.
Thanks a lot.
