World's First Double-Deck Air-Con Trolleybus
Citybus, which operates 1,100 diesel buses
in the SAR, is a strong advocate of this totally non-polluting
form of transport to improve the territory's air quality.
According to the Company's engineering consultant, John Blay,
who heads the trolleybus project, the conversion is proceeding
smoothly.
"We de-licensed one of our existing air-conditioned double-deck
buses in August. Converting the diesel powered bus to electric
traction requires the installation of suitable electronic and
electrical components for the main traction drive; the air-conditioning
compressor drive; the air compressor drive; the hydraulic pump
drive; and 24 volt electrical supply for normal bus system,"
John Blay said. "And, of course, two trolley booms will be
fitted onto the roof of the bus concerned," he added.
"We have since taken out the original diesel-related components,
such as the engine, flywheel, gearbox, propshaft, and air filter
to make way for the conversion parts," he added.
Parts required for the trolley conversion come from the UK, Denmark,
Italy, France, and Switzerland. The Company estimated that the
conversion will be completed by December, 2000.
Work on the test track at the Wong Chuk Hang parking site is expected
to start in November, when all government, and district council-related
formalities have been duly observed. "The plan is to erect
18 power poles, from which two overhead wires are suspended, along
the west and north perimeters of the depot," he said.
"The trolleybus will run along these lines repeatedly,"John
Blay continued.
Managing director, Lyndon Rees summed up, "We take it as
our social responsibility to reduce pollution from diesel-powered
buses, and the long term solution has to be for electric traction
in the form of trolleybuses ?a totally non-polluting form of transport.
It is our view that the sooner this type of transport mode is
introduced, the sooner the Hong Kong public can really look forward
to "clean air" on the streets of Hong Kong.?
John Blay is one of the speakers for the Better Air Quality (BAQ)
2000 conference, which will take place today (18 September) to
20 September. The Chief Executive, Tung Chee Hwa, will officiate
at today's opening ceremony. John Blay will make his trolleybus
presentation on 20 September, 1050 hours, Jockey Club Auditorium,
the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. BAQ 2000 is jointly organised
by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Environmental
Protection Department.
Citybus Trolley Bus Conversion and Test Track Programme Schedule
Objective:
To establish the technical viability of the trolley bus conversion;
to ascertain the performance characteristics of the vehicle, including
electrical power consumption; and to ensure durability, and reliability
of the componentry and system integrity.
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Description |
Proposed Time Line |
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1. |
Announcement of decision to
|
March 2000 |
|
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2. |
Preparation work and parts ordering |
March to May 2000 |
|
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3. |
Delivery of trolleybus components |
August to October 2000 |
|
|
4. |
Delicensing of existing bus for conversion work |
August 2000 |
|
|
5. |
Conversion of diesel bus to trolleybus |
August to December 2000 |
|
|
6. |
Work on Wong Chuk Hang test track |
October/November 2000 |
|
|
7. |
Conversion and test track complete |
December 2000 |
|
|
8. |
Launch of trial |
End December 2000 |
|
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9. |
Trial |
End December 2000 to June 2001 |
|
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10. |
Sharing of experience with Transport Department consultants |
To be on-going |
|
|
11. |
Announcement of test results |
To be decided |
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This site last modified 27 NO 2000.
