Neoplan Centroliner N4026/3 Photographs (Page 24)

The photographs and text below belong to Anthony Lui. You may set it as the wallpaper in your PC. However, you must seek Anthony Lui's permission and state the source before you place any of the pictures on the WWW or show it in public. Self-discipline is expected as I do not put my name in the pictures so as to retain its originality.

Kowloon Motor Bus's first Centroliner in the second batch (Page 4)

This page shows the driver's cab details.

This is the entrance of the bus. The driver's seat is a ISRI product. It is common among German buses in Hong Kong. It is also common in Australian and New Zealand buses. The response from drivers is generally good, as it has headrest and has wide range of adjustment. This seat is even better because it has an armrest on the left. When KMB officials tried the seat, they complained that it goes up and down automatically even when the bus is stationary. A driver of old APs also complained that the seat moved forward when the bus was moving and nearly caused an accident.

The access ramp as shown here is a common feature in KMB fleet. The proposed casher will be situated at the door of driver's cab. However, a mechanic found that the shape for the proposed area of the casher has been changed, so that he has to make a new mould to fit the casher in.

This is the dashboard of the new Centroliner. It is similar to the older ones. But its multi-task LCD display can show Chinese characters. for example, as shown in the picture: "餘下油量" (remaining fuel) and a bar showing the remaining fuel is below it, with calibrations of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. It can also show graphics. For instance, a graphic of a 3 axled single decker with black hatches shows the opening of doors. Although the dashboard is quite similar to the older ones, it is quite unique in KMB fleet. Depot drivers have to familiarize it before driving the vehicle.

This picture shows the details above the driver's cab. The general air duct in the middle of the carriage extents to the front. The rectangular hatches are air-conditioning outlets. The mirror lets the driver know the passenger flow. A curtain is provided so that the leather seat would not be sunburnt. It can also reduce glare when driving early in the morning or in the evening, when the solar altitude is sharp.

Note: Solar altitude is the angle in a vertical plane between the sun beam and the relating horizontal surface.

An additional air duct, which is a new feature, is provided in the driver's cab, so that the driver's cab is cooler. The black and white CCTV screen, Hanover Displays destination equipment control unit, Nippondenso air-conditioning control unit and hour meter, reading lamp for the driver and some other controls are relocated under the duct. Note the script "Centroliner" on the duct.

This is a close-up of the controls above the driver.

From left to right: Denso hour meter, socket, socket for mic of public address system, switches (Flund, Engine Stop, Warning, EDC Test, A/C 1, A/C2), Hanover Displays control unit, Denso control unit (switches for the two compressors for the upper saloon and one compressor for the lower saloon), air-conditioning outlet (rectangular frame with circular flaps, common to whole bus), close circuit television screen.

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Page created: 21 May 2000

Last updated: 1 October 2000