富豪 B5LH Volvo B5LH
新捷運早於二零零二年向富豪引入天然氣版B10BLE，以試驗新加坡環境是否適合使用天然氣車輛。最終天然氣巴士未有在新加坡進一步普及起來，但是新加坡兩間巴士公司：新捷運及SMRT，仍然繼續測試以另類能源作推動的巴士，包括新捷運的申龍及SMRT的中通，兩者都是以柴油混合電力推動，只可惜這兩款來自中國的混能巴士，設計未趨成熟，可靠性低而未能成功爭取到更多的訂單，兩間巴士公司亦不約而同地，在試驗完畢後將樣板巴士退回代理。
新捷運於二零一五年測試一架裝配有澳洲Volgren車身的富豪B5RLEH混能巴士，該樣板車登記車牌為SBS8002T，並且披有一個以藍天及綠草地為背景的特別宣傳車身色彩。儘管是一架低地台巴士，這架B5RLEH未有任何方便使用輪椅的乘客進出車廂的設施，更遑論供輪椅停泊的位置。SBS8002T被安排分別於二零一五年三月到九月，以及翌年二月到八月進行載客測試，當中測試路線分別有13，143，185，268及506。這架富豪B5RLEH樣板車最終未有被新捷運購入，於試驗完畢後被運返澳洲，直到二零一九年三月投入位於墨爾本的CDC Melbourne繼續其服務生涯。
二零一七年十月，新加坡陸路交通管理局透過向外招標採購，從富豪購入五十架油電混合動力巴士，儘管較早時間已經試驗車廠旗下的B5RLEH，但這張訂單型號為B5LH，並裝配有埃及的MCV Evora車身，合共可以運載八十四名乘客，當中包括二十八個座位。從富豪型號命名準則，可以得知B5LH是一款全低地台巴士底盤，對比B5RLEH其低地台區域只到中門為止，能提供更大方便予乘客之餘，亦能鼓勵乘客進入車廂尾部，以善用車廂站立空間。一如陸路交通管理局訂購新巴士的標準，批量採購的B5LH中門設有可供輪椅乘客上落的斜板，以及車廂設有兩個輪椅停泊區，全面照顧不同乘客需要。MCV Evora車身特色在於車頭設有一個特大牌箱，尺寸近乎雙層巴士使用的牌箱，至於電子路線牌箱由LECIP提供，並配有同廠的乘客資訊系統，為乘客提供路線資訊。另外，車廂亦設有USB充電插頭方便乘客。
首架富豪B5LH於二零一八年八月底運抵新加坡，而其中一架新車更於運往新加坡前，參加九月於德國漢諾威舉行的第六十七屆國際商用車及零組件展，作展品展出。富豪B5LH從二零一八年十一月開始陸續登記出牌，被分配到新捷運及SMRT，兩間公司於接收新車之後立即展開車型訓練工作。新捷運於二零一八年十二月十日開始，將新車派往272線服務乘客，其後SMRT亦於同月二十一日起，安排旗下B5LH行走920，972及973，值得一提部份新車在投入服務時，披上了廣告以宣傳這款混能巴士。目前，富豪B5LH除了前述四條路線，還會行走59，93及859路線。
SBS Transit introduced a total of 12 CNG-powered Volvo B10BLE in 2002 to test the suitability of CNG-powered vehicles in Singapore, the result was not satisfied and no more CNG-powered bus acquired by SBS Transit. Though the unsuccessful trial of the Volvo B10BLE (CNG-powered), SBS Transit and SMRT keep on testing alternative-powered buses with the trial of Sunlong and Zhongtong diesel-hybrid demonstrator respectively. Unfortunately, their immature design and low reliability prevent further purchasing order and they were returned to the dealer once the trial completed.
A Volgren bodied B5RLEH hybrid demonstrator was shipped to Singapore in 2015 for evaluation with SBS Transit and registered as SBS 8002T. It was decorated with a special livery with blue sky and green grass as background. Though B5RLEH was a super low floor bus, there was no ramp and wheelchair parking bay for commuters in need. The trial was carried out in two phases, from Mar. to Sep., 2015 and Feb. to Aug., 2016, SBS8002T was deployed on route 13, 143, 185, 268 and 506 for revenue evaluation. When the trial was completed, this demonstrator was shipped back to Australia and finally joined CDC Melbourne in Mar., 2019.
The Land Transport Authority tendered for 50 diesel-hybrid single decker in May, 2017 and Volvo was successfully gained the tender for supplying the Volvo B5LH in Oct., 2017. All Volvo B5LH was bodied by MCV in Egypt with their Evora bodywork and offered 28 seating plus 56 standees. In contrast to the B5RLEH trial before, B5LH offered low floor area staring from the front to the rear which can encourage passengers to move inside of the bus compartment. Volvo B5LH was wheelchair accessible with a wheelchair ramp at the centre exit and two wheelchair parking bay offered. A large size LECIP route display that commonly seen on double deckers was equipped at the front and a passenger information display system which also supplied by LECIP was fitted to provide details of bus routes to passengers. In addition, USB chargers also available to passengers.
The first Volvo B5LH was delivered in Aug., 2020 and one of the batch was as an exhibits in the 67th IAA Commercial Vehicles in Hanover, Germany in September 2018. LTA gradually registered the Volvo B5LH since Nov., 2018 and SBS Transit and SMRT were assigned to operate the fleet. Driver training was soon taken place when the bus was delivered and the B5LH of SBS Transit was debuted on route 272 on 10 Dec., 2018, while SMRT deployed their B5LH on route 920, 972 and 973 since 21 Dec., 2018. Part of the first batch commissioned B5LH was decorated with promotion livery and currently, B5LH also can be seen on route 59, 93 and 859.
請按圖放大圖片 Please click the photo for an enlarge version
 |
 |
 |