MAN Lion's City

City (low-floor)

• Lion's City 12, 12 m single-decker diesel[6]
• Lion's City 12 G, 12 m single-decker CNG[6]
• Lion's City 12 E, 12 m single-decker electric[6]
• Lion's City 18, 18 m articulated diesel[6]
• Lion's City 18 G, 18 m articulated CNG[6]
• Lion's City, known as NL xx3 1997–2004 – 12 m single-decker[7]
  • horizontal engine (A21)
  • vertical engine (A37), since 2002[8]
• Lion's City Hybrid (A37) – 12 m hybrid 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[7]
• Lion's City G (A23), known as NG xx3 1998–2004 – 18 m articulated[7]
• Lion's City GL (A23, A40 since 2011) – 18.75 m articulated
• Lion's City M – 10.5 m midibus
  • 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[7]
  • 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[9][10]
• 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[7]

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, bodied on 10/11.xxx HOCL (469), 12.xxx HOCL-NL (A76), 14.xxx HOCL-NL (A66) and MAN NLxx3F (A22) chassis by Göppel Bus[7]

Intercity (low-floor)

• Lion's City ÜLL (A25), known as NÜ xx3 - 15 m 1998–2004 – 14.7 m single decker[7]

MAN NLxx3F / NLxx3F (A22)
Overview
Manufacturer	MAN
Production	1998–present (A22)
Assembly	Munich, Germany
Body and chassis
Class	Bus chassis
Body style	Single-decker bus
Doors	1 – 3 doors
Floor type	Low floor
Related	MAN NLxx3 Lion's City (A21)
Powertrain
Engine	A22 (Euro V): MAN D 2066 LUH-32(NL323F) A22 (Euro VI): MAN D2066 LUH-51(NL323F) A22 (CNG): MAN E2876LUH (CNG)
Electric motor	A22 (Electric): Danfoss Editron EM-PMI375-T800-1600 (NL323F)
Power output	220–320 hp
Transmission	Voith DIWA ZF Ecomat ZF EcoLife Linkker LinkDrive
Battery	A22 (Electric): Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries (177.5 kWh)
Electric range	A22 (Electric): Up to 130 km
Plug-in charging	A22 (Electric): Opportunity Charging via Overhead Pantograph A22 (Electric): CCS2 Plug In
Dimensions
Wheelbase	5875 mm
Length	10.5 -12.0 m (bodied)
Width	2.50 – 2.55m
Height	3.34m
Chronology
Predecessor	MAN NLxx2F (898)

The MAN NLxx3F is a series of low-floor single-decker city bus chassis between 10.5 and 12.0 metres length,[12] offered by MAN since 1998, with chassis code A22. They are based on the integral low-floor MAN NLxx3 Lion's City (A21). Available versions since launch include: NL223F, NL233F, NL243F, NL263F, NL273F, NL283F, NL313F, and NL323F. -LPG and CNG versions are also available, with NL313F CNG being the most powerful.

EMT Madrid of Madrid, Spain received a total of 84 CNG-powered NL313F CNGs in 2008. They were bodied by Castrosua and Burillo.[13]

In 2011, five 10.4m NL283Fs and one Hispano Area-bodied NL283F began operating in Santiago de Compostela and Buñol respectively.[14][15]

Between 2011 and 2012, 13 man NL283F buses came into operation in Tcc Pamplona, of which four were bodied by Sunsundegui and the other 9 by Castrosua.

Wrightbus initially developed a bodywork for the MAN NL273F, called the Wright Meridian.[16] It was the first MAN chassis to be bodied by Wrightbus. A Meridian demonstrator was launched at the Coach & Bus Live 2007, which entered service with Whitelaws. Regal Busways, Newbury Buses and Diamond Bus North West each operate an handful of Wright Meridian-bodied NL273Fs across the United Kingdom.

MAN NL323F Euro VI

In 2010, a MAN NL323F Demonstrator was fitted with MCV Evolution bodywork from Egyptian bodybuilder MCV (Manufacturing Commercial Vehicles), through ST Engineering Land Systems (Formerly known as ST Kinetics). It was registered as SMB138Y with SMRT Buses for a year long evaluation period. It debuted on 29 December 2010 on Service 961. It was equipped with free onboard Wi-Fi. Following the evaluation period, it was taken out of revenue service in 2012 due to water damage to the electronics. Hence returned to ST Kinetics and it was last sighted at Gemilang Coachworks in Malaysia in 2015 rebodied into the MAN Lion's City Hybrid bodywork. It received a new lease of life in November 2015 when it was re-registered to Carbridge, an Australian Bus Company.[17]

Following the success of the MAN NL323F Demonstrator, SMB138Y, SMRT Buses announced the purchase of 200 MAN NL323F Euro V with MAN Lion's City Hybrid Bodywork manufactured and assembled in Malaysia by Gemilang Coachworks.

On 3 October 2011, the first production batch MAN NL323F debuted on SMRT Buses Service 963 and 963E.

In 2013, an additional batch of 202 MAN NL323F were ordered by SMRT Buses, and a third batch of buses in April 2014 for 332 units.

Currently, all four operators in Singapore, SMRT Buses, SBS Transit, Tower Transit Singapore and Go-Ahead Singapore operate the MAN NL323F with various transmission such as ZF Gearbox and Voith Gearbox.

As part of the Bus Contracting Model (BCM), some of the buses were transferred to Tower Transit Singapore, Go-Ahead Singapore and SBS Transit under the Sembawang-Yishun, Bulim, Loyang and Seletar Bus Packages respectively. All of these buses have since been repainted into the lush green livery. The last 26 buses to be registered from the order of 332 buses were also painted into the lush green livery prior to entering service.

In October 2016, a MAN NL323F concept bus with 3 doors, SG4002G, was exhibited at the Singapore International Transport Congress and Exhibition (SITCE). Marketed as the MAN Lion's City SD 3Dr, it features a modified bodywork design based on the MAN Lion's City Hybrid, built to a low-entry configuration under licence by Gemilang Coachworks. The bus was later painted into the lush green livery and began a 6-month trial service with SMRT Buses from 19 June 2017, starting from bus service 190. The Bus was later taken out of service in December 2017 after its trial and parked at ST Engineering Land System's compound. The bus was then converted to LTA Smart Bus and exhibited during Singapore International Transport Congress and Exhibition (SITCE) 2019 where it displayed some proof-of-concept by Youths. Some features include retractable handgrip, wingless mirror, driver facial security & anti-fatigue system, bus lane violation system, contactless payments systems, interactive capacity lighting systems, auto-tinting windows and interactive touch screen windows. As part of the proof-of-concept, the engine of the bus was removed with no further road trials planned. In 2021, the bus was parked at LTA's Headquarter at Hampshire Road for static display until 2023. In March 2023, the bus was then sent for scrap.[18]

In 2017 the Land Transport Authority of Singapore procured 250 MAN Buses of which 100 units being MAN NL323F Euro VI. It is also bodied by Gemilang Coachwork with MAN Lion's City Bodywork with both ZF and Voith Gearbox. These buses also feature additional features such as Passenger Information Display Systems (PIDS), Driver Assistance Technology and 2 wheelchair bays. It made it debut on Service 25 May 2018 with SBS Transit, Service 991 with SMRT Buses on 8 July 2018 and Service 68 with Go-Ahead Singapore on 5 September 2018.[19] With the commencement of the Sembawang-Yishun Bus Package under Tower Transit Singapore on 5 September 2021, they have received a few MAN NL323F Euro VIs from SMRT and LTA storage, making the NL323F Euro VI to be operated by all four operators in Singapore. They are bodied in the MAN Lion's City SD bodywork by Gemilang Coachworks and are painted in the lush green livery under the Bus Contracting Model.[20]

In the same year, 2017, a Euro V MAN NL323F, SMB3075A, was taken out of revenue service and placed on non-user lay up status. It was then shipped from Singapore to Turku (Findland) as part of a proof of concept for retrofitting diesel buses to electric buses. The project was done with Finnish Electric Bus manufacturer, Linkker and assisted by ST Engineering. Between 2017 and November 2019, the bus had undergone extensive conversion and installation of traction system, battery system, power distribution system, vehicle control system, charging connectivity system and driver's workplace upgrade. It has since been retrofitted with overhead opportunity charging via pantograph with a secondary CCS2 plug-in charger and Linkker LinkDrive electric driveline. There were no reduction in seating capacity nor modifications to the general bodywork. The bus was then re-registered in Late 2019 as SG3100M and was deployed back on revenue service after approximately 4 years on 5 October 2021 with SMRT Buses service 176. The bus faced various issues such as rolling back when attempting to accelerate and pantograph deployment suspected due to poor Wi-Fi communication between the bus' onboard system and the overhead pantograph charging system. In late 2022, the bus was once again taken out of revenue service and was back on ST Engineering's premises for repairs. After 8 months, the bus returned to revenue service once again in August 2023.[21]

Leisure Frontier MAN NL323F Euro V (left) & A&S MAN NL323F Euro V (right)

In 2019, during the COVID-19 pandemic, 20 units of NL323F were deregistered and retrofitted into dedicated COVID-19 patient transport vehicles known as COMET MAXI. This project is a collaboration between SMRT Corporation, HOPE Technik, Sheares Healthcare and Temasek Foundation. These buses were repainted into a Silver Livery with reminiscent of SMRT Buses' Corporate Pixel Livery, with perforated vinyl stickers intended for privacy. These buses are retrofitted with airtight floor-to-ceiling partition separating the Bus Captain from rear passenger compartment featuring an emergency door for cross-compartment passage fitted with a rubber gasket and viewing windows on the partition. The buses are also installed with Negative Pressure System with HEPA Filters, ensuring clean air is filtered out from the passengers compartment, as which 2 seats are removed from the bus. Other modifications include the isolation of both cabin's air-conditioning system, differential pressure gauge and additional roof mounted aircon duct and an air-conditioning blower at the front of the dashboard.[22]

In 2021, the COMET MAXI MAN NL323Fs were sold off to private bus operators. Of which 2 units are acquired by Leisure Frontier and the other 18 units by A&S Transit. Further modifications were made to these buses such as removal of Negative Pressure System, installation of additional seats, removal of emergency exit door between driver and passenger compartment, Lap belts for all seats and repainting into A&S Livery or Leisure Frontier Livery.[23]

In 2023, several MAN NL323Fs began the mid-life refurbishment process starting with SMB235A where the flooring is re-done and repainted into Land Transport Authority's Lush Green Livery from the SMRT Buses Stripe Livery.

MAN NL313F with Castrosua City Versus bodywork operated by Gimpo Trans Co. in South Korea

In March 2017, MAN exhibited a 12.0m Castrosua City Versus bodied MAN NL313F CNG concept bus with three doors at the 11th Seoul Motor Show. It was marketed as the MAN Lion's City CNG, despite featuring Castrosua bodywork, which has a different design with the integral MAN Lion's City's body.[24]

Gimpo Trans Co. received the first delivery of NL313F CNG and began service on Gimpo City bus route 1002 in November 2017.

MAN NL323F operated by Egged on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, Israel

At Perth Airport, Carbridge operates one imported and rebodied Gemilang Coachworks MAN NL323F from Singapore which was a demonstrator unit as SMB138Y for SMRT Buses with the MCV Evolution bodywork. This unit was displayed at the 2015 BusVic Maintenance Conference in Moonee Valley, Victoria.

Dan Bus Company and Egged operate a fleet of NL313Fs and NL323Fs in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Haifa.

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 received one MAN ND313F with Neoplan Centroliner 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 bodywork, and were delivered to Ulsterbus of Northern Ireland in 2006.

Reading Buses ND283F with East Lancs Kinetec+ bodywork

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.

In 2013, a new double deck chassis based on the A22-series low floor single-decker chassis 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 (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.

A MAN A95 as operated by SMRT Buses

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 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.[25] 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.

The three-door MAN A95 demonstrator, which was introduced in late 2015 and is currently operated by SBS Transit since 2018

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.[26][27] 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.[28][29]

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.[30]

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.[31]

Following the successful trial of the three door MAN ND323F, the Land Transport Authority 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[32] with Tower Transit Singapore, SBS Transit, SMRT Buses and Go Ahead Singapore as the operators on Services 334, 243G and 900.[33]

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 (KMB) of Hong Kong 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 self-build body and equipped with Navaho LCD display.

New World First Bus also ordered a 12.8m long ND323F.[34]

New China Lane Travel, 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 in late June and mid-July 2017. In 2019, DBTSL ordered two 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.

In 2017, State Transit purchased 38 Gemilang Coachworks bodied MAN A95s for its Sydney B-Line service.[35][36]

In 2019, RTA (Dubai) ordered 70 Gemilang bodied MAN A95s. This is the first order of the A95 in left-hand drive configuration.[37]

The MAN NGxx3F, with the chassis code A24, is a 3-axle 18-metre chassis. Which is a low-floor articulated city bus with similar diesel powertrain to MAN NL323F (A22) and MAN ND323F (A95). Where the engine and transmission units are mounted longitudinally on the rear left of the vehicle.

In 2013, SMRT Buses received a MAN NG363F Demonstrator, SMB388S, unit for testing and evaluation from the local MAN's dealer, ST Kinetics. The bus is fitted with a Euro V Engine with a Voith DIWA 864.5 gearbox, 4-speed automatic transmission with MAN Lion's City G Bodywork. Its chassis is built in Germany and assembled by Gemilang Coachworks in Malaysia. On 18 April 2013, the bus was deployed on Service 190 making its debut as the first bendy (articulated) bus brought in by SMRT Buses and the first fully low floor and wheelchair accessible bendy bus in Singapore. This bus still operates with SMRT Buses till this day, with it being the only bendy bearing the SMRT Buses stripe livery.[38]

Following the evaluation of SMB388S, SMRT Buses announced in April 2014 they would be acquiring an additional 39 Units. These buses serve as a direct replacement for Mercedes Benz O405G (Hispano Mark I). The production batch of NG363F was delivered from March 2015 to November 2015, built and bodied in Malaysia by Gemilang Coachworks. The first production batch of MAN NG363F was SMB8001E, which made its debut on 15 March 2015 also on Service 190.[39]

In 2017, as part of the Land Transport Authority of Singapore's Bus Contracting Model, the several MAN NG363F (A24) were transferred from SMRT Buses to SBS Transit when they took over Yishun feeder bus routes. As such the buses were re-painted into LTA's Lush Green Livery.[39]

Similarly in March 2021, with Tower Transit Singapore winning the Sembawang-Yishun Bus Package, a total of 7 units were transferred from SMRT Buses to Tower Transit Singapore. These buses were transferred mainly for Service 858 which serves Woodlands looping at Changi Airport PTB2. Due to Changi Airport's Passenger Terminal Building Basement Bus stops are unable to accommodate double decker buses due to hight restrictions. Hence MAN NG363F were the only high-capacity buses available for the service.[40]

As of SMRT's last purchase of the MAN NG363F, the Land Transport Authority of Singapore has no new or upcoming plans to acquire any articulated buses. With the reason being articulated buses occupy more space as compared to Double Decker buses which are able to carry more passengers with less space occupied.