SG iBus Forum

When news that the one-off 3 door MAN A95 concept bus was continuing trials with SBS Transit on service , I knew that I had to capture it on camera, just as I had when it was in trial with Tower Transit. And thus, after multiple hunting attempts that ended in failure, I got to narrow down the timing when, one day, I arrived at Clementi Interchange just in time to see it pulling out. Thus, on the next day, I arrived half an hour earlier hoping that it was not substituted for a regular MAN A95 or even a Volvo B9TL and true enough, at 4:30, the bus pulled in, having completed a rotation on service 7 from Bedok and thus I joined the queue to wait out for the bus to depart again for Bedok.

(In March 2016, this bus, along with a demonstrator 13m-long Alexander Dennis Enviro 500 MMC Facelift with 3 doors were put on display at LTA's Our Bus Carnival to showcase the future of Singapore's buses and to gather public feedback. Subsequently, the MAN Lion's City was sent back to Gemilang coachworks in Malaysia and after modifications, was driven back to Singapore and registered as SG5999Z and it entered revenue service with Tower Transit as part of its first trial, making its debut on the 13th of March 2017 on for a total of 6 months, being permitted to operate on 143, , , and as well as off-service routes to Toa Payoh, Jurong East and Bukit Batok interchanges, Shenton Way terminal, Bulim depot and ST Kinetics along Corporation Road, although on the 26th of March it appeared on which it is technically not permitted to do so. After this period ended, the bus was subsequently handed over to SBS Transit to continue trials on and officially made its debut on 2 April 2018, based out of Bedok North Depot, and it is expected to last for 3 months.)

(Due to a variety of reasons, such as the low number of ADL Enviro 500s procured when compared to the MAN A95, the impractical location of the third door and second staircase and the lack of an engine owing to insufficient space, the ADL Enviro 500 Facelift was not selected to undergo trials and was pulled out after the Bus Carnival. It has been reported that this bus is currently parked at LTA's Headquarters at Hampshire Road(see: https://landtransportguru.net/alexander ... ck-up-bus/, Section "After the carnival") )

Right before boarding the bus, due to my habit of queuing up and skipping the buses that come until the one I'm hunting for came, I was the first passenger to board, and thus I managed to snap some quick pictures of the exterior(front and sides) before I boarded the bus. It seemed that that day I was the only bus enthusiast on board, despite it being a Sunday. As always, I Vlogged the entire trip on camera(hyperlapse,of course) and one interesting thing to note was that outside the old Police Academy, I saw 2 young people with professional cameras and they were apparently hunting for this bus as well, but just for photos as I saw them snapping away while the bus was turning. As it was a Sunday, the bus got relatively crowded especially between Orchard and Bugis although I did hear some passengers commenting on how new this bus was and thought that it was an entirely new bus. Bus bunching was seen in this instance, SG5999Z caught up very briefly with the previous 7, operated by a Volvo B9TL. However, partly due to this, the bus steadily emptied after Kallang and it was not very crowded when the bus pulled into Bedok Interchange. Other than that encounter with the bus enthusiasts, there was nothing out of the ordinary on this trip and it was a normal, textbook trunk service(that is, as normal as it can get on a concept bus which is highly sought after by bus enthusiasts). At the end of the bus service, the driver, having noticed me snapping pictures back at Clementi Interchange, stopped the bus at the alighting berths after disembarkation(I was the last passenger off) to give me a chance to snap even more pics(Whoever this driver is, some one help me thank her, thanks ) and I was quite grateful for that. However, after arriving at Bedok, this bus appeared to have completed its deployments for that day as right after that, it immediately proceeded back to Bedok North Depot.

(Disclaimer's note: SG5999Z depart at approximately 1645H for Bedok; however, it has been observed that on weekdays, it pulls into Clementi at 1740 to depart at 1750H. If anyone wants to use these information to hunt for this bus, I would advise to arrive earlier to avoid disappointment.)

*Background information taken from Land Transport Guru, copyright goes to them

Took the bus today at 1620, around Bedok area. The bus was travelling towards Clementi. Along the way, a MAN A95 service 7A (SG5891A) played a cat and mouse game with this bus all the way from Changi Road, to around Sultan Mosque, where SG5999Z stopped to allow passengers to alight, and hence stopped at a red light ahead.

One observation made was that, not many people knew this was a special bus from the outside. Most people at the bus stops and pavement didn't bother to look at the bus after a small glance. However, most people who went up the upper deck noticed the 2nd staircase, and checked it out. The bus apparently uses a different anti-collision system from the ones in the Citato and K230UB. The warning beeps can be heard when the bus is nearing the bus stop, or going very close to the vehicle in front.

Another observation was that people tend to use the front staircase to go downstairs, despite a small sign on the window reminding passengers to use the rear stairs to do so. While some did it out of ignorance, others probably noticed the same thing as me - the driver did not open the 3rd door, hence the gate blocking access to the 2nd staircase did not open. I played safe and used the front staircase as well, as I do not want to rush to the front stairs when the bus stops, and the driver not opening the door.

Third observation - the suspension might need some maintenance. The ride felt bumpier than expected, compared to other buses plying the same road, at the same lane.

Also noticed immediately before boarding was that the front EDS was not clear, and appeared dim. Only the number was bright enough to see under the 4pm sun. Not sure what was the cause, but it was like this ever since SBS Transit took this bus for trial, as evident in some day-one photos circulating online.

Tan_CJ wrote: ↑Wed Jul 11, 2018 11:49 pm Took the bus today at 1620, around Bedok area. The bus was travelling towards Clementi. Along the way, a MAN A95 service 7A (SG5891A) played a cat and mouse game with this bus all the way from Changi Road, to around Sultan Mosque, where SG5999Z stopped to allow passengers to alight, and hence stopped at a red light ahead.

One observation made was that, not many people knew this was a special bus from the outside. Most people at the bus stops and pavement didn't bother to look at the bus after a small glance. However, most people who went up the upper deck noticed the 2nd staircase, and checked it out. The bus apparently uses a different anti-collision system from the ones in the Citato and K230UB. The warning beeps can be heard when the bus is nearing the bus stop, or going very close to the vehicle in front.

Another observation was that people tend to use the front staircase to go downstairs, despite a small sign on the window reminding passengers to use the rear stairs to do so. While some did it out of ignorance, others probably noticed the same thing as me - the driver did not open the 3rd door, hence the gate blocking access to the 2nd staircase did not open. I played safe and used the front staircase as well, as I do not want to rush to the front stairs when the bus stops, and the driver not opening the door.

Third observation - the suspension might need some maintenance. The ride felt bumpier than expected, compared to other buses plying the same road, at the same lane.

Also noticed immediately before boarding was that the front EDS was not clear, and appeared dim. Only the number was bright enough to see under the 4pm sun. Not sure what was the cause, but it was like this ever since SBS Transit took this bus for trial, as evident in some day-one photos circulating online.

Hmm most of the time I think it is just out of habit, after all there is only 1 3 door DD bus operating here. During my ride the driver did open the 3rd door but some used the rear staircase (as they should) while others used the front staircase out of habit. Perhaps they should bring back to old signs from TTS

On a side note I heard at least one passenger who was talking to a friend over the phone and lemanting how new the bus she was on was, given its new features

After booking out of camp on Wednesday (18/7), I took the chance once again to catch this elusive bus. At first, as I had set off from my house in Pioneer at 4:30pm, I feared I would be unable to catch the bus if it followed its weekend timeslot of 1650H. However, luckily for me, the Site Admin just so happened to be on SG5999Z and he provided me with valuable information regarding the bus' whereabouts, in this case it was at Eunos while I was passing through Lakeside. Thanks to this info, I was able to pinpoint exactly where the bus was and as the Site Admin messaged me when the bus was at SMU, I began to track the bus from that point on until it reached Clementi, which was a mean feat as it bunched with another 7, a Volvo B9TL CDGE and the situation was excerbated by a 7A that happened to turn around to head back to Clementi as a regular 7! However, I was also told that the first bus was the 7A, so I could ignore that bus and track the following 2 buses to its arrival at Clementi.

Right on schedule, SG5999Z pulled into Clementi at 1740H and after a wait of approximately 15mins, the bus began its final revenue service of the day towards Bedok, and as usual, I was the first to board having skipped 1 SVC 7 and a 7A As with the previous trip, it was was routine as a a trip on a concept bus could be; however, one thing I noticed is that while some passengers used the rear staircase, others, notably the ones seated at the front seats, used the front staircase instead, possibly out of convinience ( the barrier to the rear stairs only opens with the 3rd door, so the passengers have to literally rush down) or out of habit (I dont blame them, there is only 1 of this type of bus in service, although that will change with the purchase of the 100 3 door buses). The bus, naturally, got packed as it passed through Orchard and Dhoby Ghaut and got steadily emptier as the bus traveled eastwards; at Bedok the bus was quite empty and seats were aplenty at the upper deck. As with the previous rides, the bus retreated back to BNDEP immediately thus denying me any chance of riding it back to Clementi

Overall, it was another routine trip (at least, as routine as it can get on a one-off concept bus) and given the fact that this bus might be ending its trial soon, I will find more chances to catch this bus in action once again, perhaps this time covering the Bedok to Clementi sector

SG5999Z A95 wrote: ↑Sat Jul 21, 2018 2:04 am After booking out of camp on Wednesday (18/7), I took the chance once again to catch this elusive bus. At first, as I had set off from my house in Pioneer at 4:30pm, I feared I would be unable to catch the bus if it followed ita weekend timeslot of 1650H. However, luckily for me, the Site Admin just so happened to be on SG5999Z and he provided me with valuable information regarding the bus' whereabouts, in this case it was at Eunos while I was passing through Lakeside. Thanks to this info, I was able to pinpoint exactly where the bus was and as the Site Admin messaged me when the bus was at SMU, I began to track the bus from that point on until it reached Clementi, which was a mean feat as it bunched with another 7, a Volvo B9TL CDGE and the situation was excerbated by a 7A that happened to turn around towards Clementi! However, I was also told that the first bus was the 7A, so I could ignore that bus and track the following 2 buses to its arrival at Clementi.

Right on schedule, SG5999Z pulled into Clementi at 1740H and after a wait of approximately 15mins, the bus began ita final revenue service of the day towards Bedok, and as usual, I was the first to board having skipped 1 SVC 7 and a 7A As with the previous trip, it was was routine as a a trip on a concept bus could be; however, one thing I noticed is that while some passengers used the rear staircase, others, notably the ones seated at the front seats, used the front staircase instead, possibly out of convinience ( the barrier to the rear stairs only opens with the 3rd door, so the passengers have to literally rush down) or out of habit (I dont blame them, there is only 1 of this type of bus in service, although that will change with the purchase of the 100 3 door buses). The bus, naturally, got packed as it passed through Orchard and Dhoby Ghaut and got steadily emptier as the bus traveled eastwards; at Bedok the bus was quite empty and seats were aplenty at the upper deck. As with the previous rides, the bus retreated back to BNDEP immediately thus denying me any chance of riding it back to Clementi

Overall, it was another routine trip (at least, as routine as it can get on a one-off concept bus) and given the fact that this bus might be ending its trial soon, I will find more chances to catch this bus in action once again, perhaps this time covering the Bedok to Clementi sector

Apparently the barrier to the rear stairs can be opened by the driver. I witnessed it open while the bus was moving when I took it last Sunday (15/7). It opens only when there is someone standing near the stairs, so I assume the driver saw the CCTV, and open it only when someone is standing there.

Finally got a chance to film the entire ride and upload it, the video can be found here:

Tan_CJ wrote: ↑Sat Jul 21, 2018 11:27 am

SG5999Z A95 wrote: ↑Sat Jul 21, 2018 2:04 am After booking out of camp on Wednesday (18/7), I took the chance once again to catch this elusive bus. At first, as I had set off from my house in Pioneer at 4:30pm, I feared I would be unable to catch the bus if it followed ita weekend timeslot of 1650H. However, luckily for me, the Site Admin just so happened to be on SG5999Z and he provided me with valuable information regarding the bus' whereabouts, in this case it was at Eunos while I was passing through Lakeside. Thanks to this info, I was able to pinpoint exactly where the bus was and as the Site Admin messaged me when the bus was at SMU, I began to track the bus from that point on until it reached Clementi, which was a mean feat as it bunched with another 7, a Volvo B9TL CDGE and the situation was excerbated by a 7A that happened to turn around towards Clementi! However, I was also told that the first bus was the 7A, so I could ignore that bus and track the following 2 buses to its arrival at Clementi.

Right on schedule, SG5999Z pulled into Clementi at 1740H and after a wait of approximately 15mins, the bus began ita final revenue service of the day towards Bedok, and as usual, I was the first to board having skipped 1 SVC 7 and a 7A As with the previous trip, it was was routine as a a trip on a concept bus could be; however, one thing I noticed is that while some passengers used the rear staircase, others, notably the ones seated at the front seats, used the front staircase instead, possibly out of convinience ( the barrier to the rear stairs only opens with the 3rd door, so the passengers have to literally rush down) or out of habit (I dont blame them, there is only 1 of this type of bus in service, although that will change with the purchase of the 100 3 door buses). The bus, naturally, got packed as it passed through Orchard and Dhoby Ghaut and got steadily emptier as the bus traveled eastwards; at Bedok the bus was quite empty and seats were aplenty at the upper deck. As with the previous rides, the bus retreated back to BNDEP immediately thus denying me any chance of riding it back to Clementi

Overall, it was another routine trip (at least, as routine as it can get on a one-off concept bus) and given the fact that this bus might be ending its trial soon, I will find more chances to catch this bus in action once again, perhaps this time covering the Bedok to Clementi sector

Apparently the barrier to the rear stairs can be opened by the driver. I witnessed it open while the bus was moving when I took it last Sunday (15/7). It opens only when there is someone standing near the stairs, so I assume the driver saw the CCTV, and open it only when someone is standing there.

Sometimes the passengers had to press the bell again for the driver to know that there are commuters wishing to alight via the third door the above video recorded a few instances of this happening

SG1201T Citaro wrote: ↑Fri Oct 26, 2018 8:53 pm Sometimes the passengers had to press the bell again for the driver to know that there are commuters wishing to alight via the third door the above video recorded a few instances of this happening

I saw it happening too, so I guess it depends on which driver is driving the bus