PHOTO: The Straits Times
The LTA has announced that it has purchased an additional 20 single-deck electric buses from ST Engineering Mobility Services (STEMoS).
The buses will be progressively deployed starting on 25 August 2021, on services 38, 40, 176 and 976, and add onto the current fleet of 40 electric buses already deployed for passenger service since November 2020.
The new buses will utilise pantograph chargers that have a power rating of up to 450kW for quicker charging The first 40 buses were supplied by BYD (20 single-deck buses) and the Yutong-NARI Consortium (10 single and 10 double-deck buses).
Unlike those buses however, these 20 new electric buses will be charged using tram-like pantograph chargers, as opposed to plug-in charging. The new pantograph chargers are located at Bedok and Bukit Panjang Bus Interchanges.
With pantograph charging, the new electric buses are charged at a higher power rating of up to 450kW during their short lay-over time of 10 to 15 minutes at bus interchanges. Unlike the trams of Hong Kong however, these pantographs will be retracted once charging is complete.
The LTA states that we'll be able to enjoy quieter journeys on board the new busses, as they only generate an ambient noise level of around 75dB, three decibels lower than that of a typical Euro 6 diesel bus. The buses also come with an additional third door to encourage commuters to move to the rear for better commuter flow.
The new electric buses are also equipped with displays that show route-specific information such as upcoming bus stops and destinations. To allow easier access for parents with open strollers, the front door of these buses does not have any centre pole, unlike our existing buses. Wheelchair users will continue to board and disembark from the middle door of the bus through the ramp, with assistance from the Bus Captain.
The LTA has announced that it has purchased an additional 20 single-deck electric buses from ST Engineering Mobility Services (STEMoS).
The buses will be progressively deployed starting on 25 August 2021, on services 38, 40, 176 and 976, and add onto the current fleet of 40 electric buses already deployed for passenger service since November 2020.
Unlike those buses however, these 20 new electric buses will be charged using tram-like pantograph chargers, as opposed to plug-in charging. The new pantograph chargers are located at Bedok and Bukit Panjang Bus Interchanges.
With pantograph charging, the new electric buses are charged at a higher power rating of up to 450kW during their short lay-over time of 10 to 15 minutes at bus interchanges. Unlike the trams of Hong Kong however, these pantographs will be retracted once charging is complete.
The LTA states that we'll be able to enjoy quieter journeys on board the new busses, as they only generate an ambient noise level of around 75dB, three decibels lower than that of a typical Euro 6 diesel bus. The buses also come with an additional third door to encourage commuters to move to the rear for better commuter flow.
The new electric buses are also equipped with displays that show route-specific information such as upcoming bus stops and destinations. To allow easier access for parents with open strollers, the front door of these buses does not have any centre pole, unlike our existing buses. Wheelchair users will continue to board and disembark from the middle door of the bus through the ramp, with assistance from the Bus Captain.
