The MAN Lion's City is a range of
low-floor
Accessibility is the design of products, devices, services, vehicles, or environments so as to be usable by people with disabilities. The concept of accessible design and practice of accessible development ensures both "direct access" (i.e ...
and
low-entry public buses built by
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
**Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ger ...
truck and bus manufacturer
MAN Truck & Bus
MAN Truck & Bus SE (formerly MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG, ) is a subsidiary of Traton, and one of the leading international providers of commercial vehicles. Headquartered in Munich, Germany, MAN Truck & Bus produces vans in the range from 3.0 to 5.5 t ...
(previously MAN Nutzfahrzeuge) since 1996 primarily for the European market, but is also available in chassis-only variants worldwide. The name ''Lion's City'' has been used since 2006, when
MAN's
public bus models which had been marketed separately were gathered into one range, when also most models received a facelift. The first models to be introduced were the 12-metre
low-floor
Accessibility is the design of products, devices, services, vehicles, or environments so as to be usable by people with disabilities. The concept of accessible design and practice of accessible development ensures both "direct access" (i.e ...
intercity bus
An intercity bus service (North American English) or intercity coach service (British English and Commonwealth English), also called a long-distance, express, over-the-road, commercial, long-haul, or highway bus or coach service, is a public tr ...
''NÜ xx3'' (A20) in 1996, the 12-metre city bus ''NL xx3'' (A21) in 1997 and the articulated ''NG xx3'' (A23) in 1998. As with former MAN bus models the power-rating made up part of the model name, giving the NÜ-series buses with power-ratings of 260 and 310 hp model names ''NÜ 263'' and ''NÜ 313'' respectively.
The main production sites are in
Starachowice
Starachowice is a city in southeastern Poland (historic Lesser Poland), with 49,513 inhabitants (31.12.2017). Starachowice is situated in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship (since 1999); it was formerly in the Kielce Voivodeship (1975–1998). It ...
and
Sady in Poland, but the models have also been built in Germany, Turkey and Malaysia. Initially most of the
midibus
A midibus is a classification of single-decker minibuses which are generally larger than a traditional minibus but smaller than a full-size single decker and can be anywhere between and long. While used in many parts of the world, the mi ...
variants were manufactured by Göppel Bus in
Augsburg
Augsburg (; bar , Augschburg , links=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swabian_German , label=Swabian German, , ) is a city in Swabia, Bavaria, Germany, around west of Bavarian capital Munich. It is a university town and regional seat of the ' ...
, later
Nobitz
Nobitz is a municipality in the district Altenburger Land, in Thuringia, Germany. The nearby Nobitz airfield was used by Ryanair for flights to and from London Stansted between 2003 and 2011.
History
Within the German Empire (1871–1918), Nobitz ...
.
Models are available with a 6-cylinder turbocharged straight engine which runs on
diesel
Diesel may refer to:
* Diesel engine, an internal combustion engine where ignition is caused by compression
* Diesel fuel, a liquid fuel used in diesel engines
* Diesel locomotive, a railway locomotive in which the prime mover is a diesel engin ...
,
compressed natural gas
Compressed natural gas (CNG) is a fuel gas mainly composed of methane (CH4), compressed to less than 1% of the volume it occupies at standard atmospheric pressure. It is stored and distributed in hard containers at a pressure of , usually in cy ...
or
liquefied petroleum gas
Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG or LP gas) is a fuel gas which contains a flammable mixture of hydrocarbon gases, specifically propane, propylene, butylene, isobutane and n-butane.
LPG is used as a fuel gas in heating appliances, cooking e ...
. Versions with
hydrogen
Hydrogen is the chemical element with the symbol H and atomic number 1. Hydrogen is the lightest element. At standard conditions hydrogen is a gas of diatomic molecules having the formula . It is colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, an ...
fuel cell
A fuel cell is an electrochemical cell that converts the chemical energy of a fuel (often hydrogen) and an oxidizing agent (often oxygen) into electricity through a pair of redox reactions. Fuel cells are different from most batteries in requ ...
drive and with hydrogen internal combustion engines
have been successfully tested, as well as
diesel-electric hybrid
Hybrid may refer to:
Science
* Hybrid (biology), an offspring resulting from cross-breeding
** Hybrid grape, grape varieties produced by cross-breeding two ''Vitis'' species
** Hybridity, the property of a hybrid plant which is a union of two dif ...
drive.
A production
hybrid-electric version, the ''Lion's City Hybrid'', which uses
supercapacitor
A supercapacitor (SC), also called an ultracapacitor, is a high-capacity capacitor, with a capacitance value much higher than other capacitors but with lower voltage limits. It bridges the gap between electrolytic capacitors and rechargeable ba ...
s and two 67 kW electric motors is available since 2010.
Hybrid electric bus
A hybrid electric bus is a bus that combines a conventional internal combustion engine propulsion system with an electric propulsion system. These type of buses normally use a Diesel-electric powertrain and are also known as hybrid Diesel-elect ...
es offer increased efficiency in urban traffic and use 30% less fuel than combustion-only buses.
The latest generation of
Neoplan Centroliner
The Neoplan Centroliner is a series of low-floor transit buses which was first unveiled in 1997, and mainly built by Neoplan Bus GmbH for the European market. At the time when it was first released, it adopted contemporary technologies like Co ...
is based on the Lion's City (Neoplan was also part of the
Neoman Bus
Neoman Bus GmbH, also known as Neoman Bus Group, was a bus, trolleybus and coach manufacturer in Germany, created when MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG acquired Neoplan Bus GmbH in 2001. While the parent company also makes trucks and other vehicles, Neoman w ...
group).
Integral variants
Codes inside parentheses are internal codes that identify some technical characteristics of the variants, like length/wheelbase, number of axles, floor height, width, engine arrangement and so on. Some codes are unique to one variant, while others are shared between variants. Some variants have changed from one code to another over time. These codes are sometimes mistakenly used as a model designation. One can find the codes in
VINs
Georgi Petrovich Vins (russian: Георгий Петрович Винс; August 4, 1928 Blagoveshchensk, Russian SFSR – January 11, 1998 Elkhart, Indiana) was a Russian Baptist pastor persecuted by the Soviet authorities for his involvement in ...
(i.e. WMAA21...) and in vehicle production serial numbers (i.e. A210012).
Current
;City (low-floor)
* Lion's City 12, 12 m single-decker
diesel
Diesel may refer to:
* Diesel engine, an internal combustion engine where ignition is caused by compression
* Diesel fuel, a liquid fuel used in diesel engines
* Diesel locomotive, a railway locomotive in which the prime mover is a diesel engin ...
*Lion's City 12 G, 12 m single-decker
CNG
Compressed natural gas (CNG) is a fuel gas mainly composed of methane (CH4), compressed to less than 1% of the volume it occupies at standard atmospheric pressure. It is stored and distributed in hard containers at a pressure of , usually in cyl ...
*Lion's City 12 E, 12 m single-decker
electric
*Lion's City 18, 18 m articulated
diesel
Diesel may refer to:
* Diesel engine, an internal combustion engine where ignition is caused by compression
* Diesel fuel, a liquid fuel used in diesel engines
* Diesel locomotive, a railway locomotive in which the prime mover is a diesel engin ...
*Lion's City 18 G, 18 m articulated
CNG
Compressed natural gas (CNG) is a fuel gas mainly composed of methane (CH4), compressed to less than 1% of the volume it occupies at standard atmospheric pressure. It is stored and distributed in hard containers at a pressure of , usually in cyl ...
*Lion's City, known as ''NL xx3'' 1997–2004 – 12 m single-decker
** horizontal engine (A21)
** vertical engine (A37), since 2002
* Lion's City Hybrid (A37) - 12 m
hybrid
Hybrid may refer to:
Science
* Hybrid (biology), an offspring resulting from cross-breeding
** Hybrid grape, grape varieties produced by cross-breeding two ''Vitis'' species
** Hybridity, the property of a hybrid plant which is a union of two dif ...
single-decker
* Lion's City C (A26, A36 since 2013) - 13.7 m single-decker
* Lion's City L (A26), known as ''NL xx3 - 15 m'' 1998–2004, ''Lion's City LL'' 2004–2009 - 14.7 m single-decker
* Lion's City G (A23), known as ''NG xx3'' 1998–2004 – 18 m
articulated
* Lion's City GL (A23, A40 since 2011) - 18.75 m articulated
* Lion's City M - 10.5 m
midibus
A midibus is a classification of single-decker minibuses which are generally larger than a traditional minibus but smaller than a full-size single decker and can be anywhere between and long. While used in many parts of the world, the mi ...
** 2.38 m wide (A35)
** 2.5 m wide (A47)
;City (low-entry)
* Lion's City LE (A78), known as ''EL xx3'' 2003–2004, ''Lion's City T'' 2004–2008 - 12m single-decker
** version based on standard low-floor, horizontal engine platform (A21), including CNG version, available since 2011(?)
** version for South African market - bodied on 18.280 HOCL-NL/R (A84) chassis by MAN South Africa in Olifantsfontein since 2011
* Lion's City C LE (A26, A45 since 2013?) - 13.7 m single-decker
* Lion's City L LE (A26, A44 since 2012?) - 14.7 m single-decker
* Lion's City G LE (A42) - 18 m articulated
* Lion's City GL LE (A49) - 18.75 m articulated
;Intercity (low-floor)
* Lion's City Ü (A20), known as ''NÜ xx3'' 1996–2004 - 12m single-decker
;Intercity (low-entry)
* Lion's City LE Ü (A78), known as ''EL xx3'' 2003–2004, ''Lion's City TÜ'' 2004–2008 - 12m single-decker
Discontinued
;City (low-floor)
* Lion's City DD (A39) - 13.73 m
double-decker
* Lion's City GXL (A43) - 20.45 m
articulated
* Lion's City M, known as ''NM xx3'' and ''EM xx3'' until 2005 - 8.13 m to 11.21 m
midibus
A midibus is a classification of single-decker minibuses which are generally larger than a traditional minibus but smaller than a full-size single decker and can be anywhere between and long. While used in many parts of the world, the mi ...
, bodied on 10/11.xxx HOCL (469), 12.xxx HOCL-NL (A76), 14.xxx HOCL-NL (A66) and
NL xx3 F (A22) chassis by Göppel Bus
;Intercity (low-floor)
* Lion's City ÜLL (A25), known as ''NÜ xx3 - 15 m'' 1998–2004 - 14.7 m single decker
Type designation system
The type designations were used to define all models prior to 2004. With the introduction of the model names in 2004, the system is still in use on all vehicles, but is more for internal use. In most cases it can be found on the plate inside the bus where one find the VIN.
;Floor height
* N: Low-floor bus (german: Niederflur)
* E: Low-entry bus (Some low-entry versions have letter N instead when they are built technically similar to the low-floor version.)
;Adaption
* L: Rigid bus (no special adaption) (german: Linienbus, links=no)
* D: Double-decker bus (german: Doppeldeckerbus, links=no)
* G: Articulated bus (german: Gelenkbus, links=no)
* M: Midibus
* Ü: Intercity bus (german: Überlandbus, links=no)
;Power code
* xx: First two digits of power output in hp (nearest ten)
* 3: third generation
* F: Denotes that it is built as a
chassis
A chassis (, ; plural ''chassis'' from French châssis ) is the load-bearing framework of an artificial object, which structurally supports the object in its construction and function. An example of a chassis is a vehicle frame, the underpart ...
for external bodywork (german: Fahrgestell, links=no)
For example, an ND323F low-floor double-decker bus has a power output of 320 hp.
Chassis variants (for external bodywork)
Low-floor
Accessibility is the design of products, devices, services, vehicles, or environments so as to be usable by people with disabilities. The concept of accessible design and practice of accessible development ensures both "direct access" (i.e ...
chassis variants are offered for external bodywork by local bodywork manufacturers. Most are bodied in the local manufacturer's own styling, but some are licensed to replicate the Lion's City bodywork, usually in markets where MAN don't sell the integral variants. This includes the
East Lancs Kinetec for the UK market, which only replicate the front part and
Gemilang Coachworks's version of the Lion's City, replicating the whole LHD bodywork for their (usually RHD) buses sold in Asia Pacific market, including the Lion's City Hybrid bodywork mounted on conventional diesel chassis.
*
NLxx3F (A22) -
single-decker bus
A single-decker bus or single-decker is a bus that has a single deck for passengers. Normally the use of the term ''single-decker'' refers to a standard two- axled rigid bus, in direct contrast to the use of the term double-decker bus, which ...
, horizontal engine, 10.5 m – 12.0 m
* NDxx3F (A34/A48/A95) -
double-decker bus, 10.85 m – 12.8 m. They have only been built in very small numbers and only for
right-hand drive markets.
* NGxx3F (A24) -
articulated bus
An articulated bus, also referred to as a banana bus, bendy bus, tandem bus, vestibule bus, wiggle wagon, stretch bus, or an accordion bus, (either a motor bus or trolleybus) is an articulated vehicle used in public transportation. It is usua ...
, horizontal engine, 18.0 m – 18.75 m
* NMxx3F (A35) -
midibus
A midibus is a classification of single-decker minibuses which are generally larger than a traditional minibus but smaller than a full-size single decker and can be anywhere between and long. While used in many parts of the world, the mi ...
, vertical engine, 9.7 m – 10.4 m
Double Decker
MAN ND313F / ND363F (A34)
The MAN ND313F and MAN ND363F, with the chassis code ''A34'', is a tri-axle 12-metre chassis. A total number of 27 chassis were built between 2003 and 2006.
In 2003,
Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) of
Hong Kong
Hong Kong ( (US) or (UK); , ), officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China ( abbr. Hong Kong SAR or HKSAR), is a city and special administrative region of China on the eastern Pearl River Delt ...
received one MAN ND313F with
Neoplan Centroliner
The Neoplan Centroliner is a series of low-floor transit buses which was first unveiled in 1997, and mainly built by Neoplan Bus GmbH for the European market. At the time when it was first released, it adopted contemporary technologies like Co ...
N4426 bodywork, it received fleet number APM1 and registration number LE4612, entering service later in the same year. The bus remained unique in Kowloon Motor Bus fleet. It was retired in January 2019.
25 ND363F received Ayats
coach
Coach may refer to:
Guidance/instruction
* Coach (sport), a director of athletes' training and activities
* Coaching, the practice of guiding an individual through a process
** Acting coach, a teacher who trains performers
Transportation
* Co ...
bodywork, and were delivered to
Ulsterbus
Ulsterbus is a public transport operator in Northern Ireland and operates bus services outside Belfast. It is part of Translink, the brand name for the subsidiary operating companies of the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company, which also ...
of Northern Ireland in 2006.
MAN ND243F / ND283F (A48)
![Reading Transport 501](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/32/Reading_Transport_501.JPG)
In 2006, a 10.85-metre two-axle version was launched as the MAN ND243F and MAN ND283F, with chassis code ''A48''.
One ND283F received an
East Lancs Kinetec+ bodywork, which had a front similar to that of MAN Lion's City.
Two more ND283F test chassis were built, but no ND243F.
MAN ND323F / ND363F (A95)
In 2013, a new double deck chassis based on the A22-series
low floor
Accessibility is the design of products, devices, services, vehicles, or environments so as to be usable by people with disabilities. The concept of accessible design and practice of accessible development ensures both "direct access" (i. ...
single-decker chassis
A chassis (, ; plural ''chassis'' from French châssis ) is the load-bearing framework of an artificial object, which structurally supports the object in its construction and function. An example of a chassis is a vehicle frame, the underpart ...
was launched as the MAN ND323F and MAN ND363F, with a new chassis code ''A95''. Currently, the bodywork of all A95 buses are built by
Gemilang Coachworks and are based on the licensed MAN Lion's City DD design, and is also marketed in various markets as the MAN Lion's City DD for the 12 m long variant and the MAN Lion's City DD L for the 12.8m long variant. A concept bodywork design was unveiled in 2015, in the form of a 3-door bus built for Singapore's
Land Transport Authority
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is a statutory board under the Ministry of Transport of the Government of Singapore.
History Incorporation of Land Transport Authority
Land Transport Authority (LTA) was established on 1 September 1995, f ...
(LTA). Currently, a refreshed design based on the concept is being adopted on the newer buses. In addition, the Australian market buses feature a different rear end design as compared to those sold in other markets.
Singapore
![SMRT Buses MAN A95 (SG5749D) on Service 850E](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/af/SMRT_Buses_MAN_A95_%28SG5749D%29_on_Service_850E.jpg)
In November 2014, SMRT was given a single MAN ND323F demonstrator for trial purposes at the manufacturer's request. Following a successful trial run, SMRT ordered 16 MAN ND323Fs which were delivered between August and November 2015 with tree guards pre-installed.
In late 2015, the
Land Transport Authority
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is a statutory board under the Ministry of Transport of the Government of Singapore.
History Incorporation of Land Transport Authority
Land Transport Authority (LTA) was established on 1 September 1995, f ...
ordered 60 units as part of the
Bus Contracting Model (BCM) order. Largely similar to the previous batch procured by SMRT Buses, these buses had some minor differences in appearance such as the omission of tree guards. The final 10 units of this batch were equipped with USB charging ports. The first 15 buses were painted in SMRT's corporate livery, while the rest featured LTA's green livery. All of these buses were registered between April and August 2016 and are currently assigned to SMRT Buses and Tower Transit.
![SBS Transit MAN A95 (SG5999Z) on Service 7](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f4/SBS_Transit_MAN_A95_%28SG5999Z%29_on_Service_7.jpg)
Also in late 2015, a 12.8 m long custom built MAN ND323F with 3 doors and 2 staircases was built for the LTA, featuring an updated concept bodywork design. Originally deployed to Tower Transit in 2017, it was transferred to SBS Transit in early 2018.
In September 2016, LTA ordered another 122 MAN ND323Fs which were put into service in 2017. These buses contain similar specifications with the previous batch but with an updated bodywork design, with the first 30 units being based on the concept and the rest with an updated design. These buses were assigned to SBS Transit, SMRT Buses, Tower Transit and Go-Ahead Singapore, with most units in SMRT Buses replacing retiring Mercedes-Benz O405G bendy buses.
In late 2017, under a negotiated tender, the Land Transport Authority ordered 250 MAN buses, which were 150 MAN NL323Fs and 100 MAN ND323Fs, equipped with Euro VI engines and minor differences to the bodywork in the previous batch. These buses were equipped with two wheelchair bays as compared to one in previous batches. An option was excised in 2018 to procure an additional 150 MAN ND323Fs in this batch. These buses entered revenue service in May 2018 and are currently assigned to SBS Transit, SMRT Buses, Tower Transit and Go-Ahead Singapore for fleet additions and replacement of retiring buses.
In July 2018, a tender was awarded by LTA to ST Kinetics for the procurement of 111 MAN ND323Fs, which were delivered with subtle differences as compared to the earlier batches. These buses entered service in March 2020, with the final bus delivered in October 2021. Similar to the previous batch, these buses are currently assigned to SBS Transit and SMRT Buses for fleet additions and replacement of retiring buses.
Following the successful trial of the three door MAN ND323F, the
Land Transport Authority
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is a statutory board under the Ministry of Transport of the Government of Singapore.
History Incorporation of Land Transport Authority
Land Transport Authority (LTA) was established on 1 September 1995, f ...
announced that 50 production batch 3-door ND323Fs will be procured along with 50 3-door Alexander Dennis Enviro500s. These buses entered service in January 2021.
Hong Kong
In August 2014, Kwoon Chung Motors Company (KCM) ordered 9 ND323Fs replacing 8
Dennis Tridents and 1
MAN 24.310. Also, KCM's subsidiary company
New Lantau Bus (NLB) purchased 10 ND323Fs. They were delivered to Hong Kong in June and August 2015 respectively. Moreover, in 2017, NLB purchased 16 ND363Fs with Gemilang Lion's city DD facelift body, they were delivered to Hong Kong since November 2017 and registered since February 2018. The order has been increased to add another 13 vehicles and registered since June 2018. In 2018, NLB purchased 5 ND363Fs with Gemilang's Lion's city DD facelift body which is equivalent to the previous order and equipped with a Euro 6 engine. They are being delivered to Hong Kong since February 2019.
In May 2015, an ND363F was delivered to
Kowloon Motor Bus
The Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited (KMB) is a bus company operating franchised services in Hong Kong. It is the largest bus company in Hong Kong by fleet size and number of bus routes. It is a subsidiary of Transport International.
...
(KMB) of
Hong Kong
Hong Kong ( (US) or (UK); , ), officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China ( abbr. Hong Kong SAR or HKSAR), is a city and special administrative region of China on the eastern Pearl River Delt ...
and was first used during August 2015. In October 2015, KMB placed an order for 20 ND323Fs with Gemilang Lion's City DD body. In 2017, KMB ordered one ND323F with
Gemilang
''Gemilang'' is an album released in 2005 by Jaclyn Victor, the first Malaysian Idol. This album has eleven tracks, including ''Tunggu Sekejap'', ''When I Fall in Love'' and ''Gemilang'', the three songs performed by Jaclyn Victor which eventually ...
self-build body and equipped with Navaho LCD display.
New World First Bus also ordered a 12.8m long ND323F.
New China Lane Travel
New is an adjective referring to something recently made, discovered, or created.
New or NEW may refer to:
Music
* New, singer of K-pop group The Boyz
Albums and EPs
* ''New'' (album), by Paul McCartney, 2013
* ''New'' (EP), by Regurgitator, ...
,
To Yo Travel and
Goldspark Hong Kong Tours have also ordered ND323Fs in
open top form.
Discovery Bay Transit Services (DBTSL) from
Discovery Bay placed an order of four ND323F in 2016 and delivered in June 2017. They were registered on late-June and mid-July 2017. In 2019, DBTSL ordered 2 ND323F equipped with Euro 6 engine and delivered in January and February 2020. Two new buses were registered and operated in July 2020.
HZMB bus operator has ordered 20 ND363Fs with 4.2m height variant and delivered in 2018. In 2019, HZMB bus operator has ordered 40 ND323Fs with 4.2m height variant and Euro 6 engine. These buses are delivered since April 2019.
Australia
In 2017,
State Transit purchased 38
Gemilang Coachworks bodied MAN A95s for its Sydney
B-Line service.
Sydney Metro MAN A95 buses delivered
Australasian Bus & Coach 30 November 2017
Gallery
File:Keolis_5398_160704_01.jpg, NG 313 CNG (A23) on line 69 in Stockholm
Stockholm () is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in Sweden by population, largest city of Sweden as well as the List of urban areas in the Nordic countries, largest urban area in Scandinavia. Approximately 980,000 people liv ...
File:Sporveisbussene 18jun2005.jpg, NL 263 (A21) in Oslo
File:MVG 015 Schloss Broich.jpg, NG 313 (A23) in Mülheim an der Ruhr
File:ORN Bus Mainz (PICT0522).jpg, ORN Lion's City G at Mainz Central Station
File:NEOMAN A39 2007-03-15.jpg, Lion's City DD in Berlin
File:GUB_481_220902_01.jpg, Lion's City 18c CNG EfficientHybrid in Uppsala
Uppsala (, or all ending in , ; archaically spelled ''Upsala'') is the county seat of Uppsala County and the List of urban areas in Sweden by population, fourth-largest city in Sweden, after Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö. It had 177,074 inha ...
.
See also
* List of buses
References
External links
*
{{MAN Truck & Bus, state=autocollapse
Lion's City
Buses of Germany
Hybrid electric buses
Tri-axle buses
Low-floor buses
Low-entry buses
Double-decker buses
Midibuses
Articulated buses
Vehicles introduced in 1996