Seoul plans to introduce articulated buses on major trunk routes starting in July 2004. SCANIA Korea and LG International are known to have participated in the articulated bus bidding process.
Since the Scania articulated bus has already been introduced before, this article will focus on IRISBUS and the CITYCLASS model, which are still relatively unfamiliar in Korea.
This material was prepared based on documents sent by LG International, the official importer of IVECO, and IRISBUS. Since it was prepared without on-site research, there may be some shortcomings, so we kindly ask for your understanding as you read this content.
We would like to thank Mr. Lim Byung-wook, Manager at LG International, and Mr. Sebastien BALISE, Asia Regional Manager at IRISBUS, for providing the materials.
Materials: LG International / IRISBUS
Editing: BusLife
Published: 2004.04.26
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has decided to operate articulated buses starting in July 2004. As part of its efforts to provide high-capacity transport, improve the quality of buses, and create public transportation that better serves people with reduced mobility, the city plans to begin operating articulated buses from July 1.
In addition, Seoul is preparing a reorganization of bus routes through median bus-only lanes and a trunk-feeder route system, a transportation card system using IC chips, and BIS (Bus Information System).
Through this bus system reform, Seoul is determined to create a more convenient and punctual public transportation system.
To prepare for the introduction of articulated buses, Seoul conducted a trial operation of Scania's Omnicity Articulated Bus from October to December 2003.
During the trial operation period, the city surveyed passengers to examine their reactions and also reviewed profitability.
For bus-centered public transportation, Seoul is pushing ahead with radical reforms. The city plans to reorganize its public transportation system within a short period of time, even though such systems are difficult to reform successfully even after decades of systematic restructuring.
It is impossible to know for certain how successful the reform will be, but there is no denying that Seoul's public transportation will shift from a subway-centered system to a bus-centered system.
Until now, the subway has operated under careful planning, while buses have been operated without much systematic planning. However, the fact that buses will also be operated according to proper plans in the future is highly meaningful.
Now, returning to the articulated bus...
The Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul City Bus Transport Business Association first invited bids for 20 articulated buses to be introduced on trunk routes.
In this bidding process, SCANIA Korea and LG International (the importer of IRISBUS) participated. Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and Neoplan are known not to have taken part in the bidding.
One concern is that once the vehicles arrive in Korea, they will be put directly into actual service without undergoing operational testing. Therefore, in the case of IRISBUS, it is uncertain what kinds of problems—such as vehicle defects or breakdowns—may occur when the buses are actually operated in Korea.
Through the three-month trial operation, SCANIA Korea collected data on parts that frequently failed, parts that did not, and problems—such as vehicle defects or breakdowns—that could occur during actual field operation. Whether this data will be shared is unknown, but LG International may need to prepare in advance for such issues.
When a bus breaks down, it must be repaired overnight so that it can return to service the next day. However, considering the current situation in Korea, where there is virtually no maintenance experience with IRISBUS vehicles, it may be necessary to accept downtime in the event of vehicle failure.
According to LG International, vehicle maintenance should not become a major problem because an agreement has already been signed with Korea Commercial Vehicle. The company also stated that five vehicles would be introduced at the end of July and 15 more at the end of August. Therefore, it appears that proper operation on a single trunk route will only be possible from at least August onward.
It has not yet been confirmed which routes the buses will enter, but it appears likely that ten buses each will be assigned to a trunk route passing through Cheonho-daero and a trunk route passing through Dobong/Mia-ro. This is only an estimate, so the actual allocation may differ.
IRISBUS was established with investment from Renault V.I. and IVECO, and it produces only buses. In early 2003, IVECO acquired all shares of IRISBUS, and IRISBUS is now 100% owned by IVECO.
The company produces around 8,000 vehicles annually, employs approximately 7,000 people, and has factories in Italy, France, Spain, the Czech Republic, Hungary, China, and other locations.
It holds about a 25% share of the European bus market.
Production models
- Alternative Urban Transport: Tramway Civis, Trolleybus Cristalis
- Mini & Midi: Daily, Happy
- City Bus: CityClass, Agora
- School Bus
- Coach: EuroClass, Iliade
Based on scanned catalog material, this article will introduce the CityClass model.
The model equipped with IVECO's diesel engine, known as the Cursor, is the CityClass Cursor, while the model being introduced this time is the CityClass CNG, equipped with a CNG engine.
Since the catalog is based on the CityClass Cursor, its appearance may differ somewhat from the CNG vehicle.
This is the appearance of the model being introduced this time. According to an analysis of the catalog, the upper-opening windows were identified, but it appears that not all windows can be opened and that only some windows are openable.
Except for the door equipped with a wheelchair boarding ramp, the doors have center divider bars so that two passengers can alight at the same time, as on Korean city buses.
The interior flooring does not appear to be an anti-slip mat. Instead, it seems to use the round coin-pattern mat (green) used in the BS106, and the air-conditioning ducts also have an angular shape similar to those in the Royal City. Although this may vary depending on vehicle options and specifications, based on the catalog analysis, it does not appear to be an anti-slip mat.
Unlike the Scania bus, which uses an indirect injection system, this bus adopts a direct injection system like Korean city buses. The seats appear to be almost identical to those used in the Hyundai Super Aero City, with virtually no cushioning.
The wheelchair space is arranged as shown on the left, and it appears to be equipped with an automatic securing device.
However, it is not possible to determine from the catalog exactly how it operates.
The heater is installed in the same form as on Korean buses, and there does not appear to be the copper-pipe heating line seen on the Scania bus.
The engine is IVECO's 9.6-liter CNG engine, and the bus is equipped with a Voith automatic transmission.
The engine output is 310 horsepower, which is 10 horsepower higher than the Scania model.
The vehicle uses CNG fuel and is equipped with eight tanks capable of holding 140 liters each, which is said to allow a driving range of approximately 400 km.
The driver's area is shown on the left.
The gradual parking brake, automatic transmission buttons, and ignition switch are located on the dashboard to the left of the driver's seat.
On the right side, the door operation switches are installed in an unusual arrangement.
One notable point is that the speedometer is shifted to the left, while the display showing vehicle status is positioned in the very center.
According to the catalog, passenger capacity is listed as 33+137. When asked whether there were too few seats, an LG International representative said that a few more seats would be added before import. However, since the interior is designed according to exact dimensions, it is unclear whether seats can be added freely.
As shown in the floor plan below, the only area where the seat layout can be changed is the wheelchair space marked with a rectangle.
The reason it has fewer seats than the Scania bus is that many of the seats are installed in single rows. Although more standing space is secured near the doors, the number of seats seems too small.
Vehicle specifications
- Vehicle name: CityClass CNG
- Overall length: 17,960 mm
- Overall width: 2,500 mm
- Overall height: 3,080 mm
- Wheelbase: 5,710 - 6,605 mm
- Minimum ground clearance: 320 mm
- Kneeling range: 70 mm
- Engine: IVECO 9.6-liter 8469.21 CNG (inline 6-cylinder)
- Turbo intercooler: installation not confirmed
- Transmission: Voith 4-speed automatic transmission
Now, let us introduce the Civis currently operating in France.
Civis is an articulated bus capable of automatic steering control by using a camera installed in the driver's area to recognize dotted lines drawn on the road.
Until now, Korea has achieved remarkable development in rail transportation: electric railways, subways, and, more recently, high-speed rail.
But now it seems time for land transportation using rubber tires to advance as well.
The articulated buses being introduced this time are expected to play a major role in this respect. They may become a foundation for upgrading Korea's bus culture by one level.
Foreign buses are not necessarily superior in every way. Some people may wonder why Korea should introduce foreign-made buses when domestic buses are available, and others may even feel some resistance to the idea.
However, we cannot keep the door closed forever. If accepting good ideas and technologies from abroad can help upgrade domestic technology and culture, it cannot be considered entirely negative.
We hope that the quality and design of domestic buses will eventually be in no way inferior to European buses, and we also hope that articulated bus operation will make a successful start.
