Retired double decker SBS bus shipped to Hong Kong after being bought by private collector

After 17 years of service.

Guan Zhen Tan | Tanya Ong | August 05, 2020, 12:53 PM

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A decommissioned SBS Transit double decker bus has arrived in Hong Kong.

According to a Facebook post by HKBDB, the retired bus was purchased by a private collector and shipped to Hong Kong.

The bus arrived on Aug. 3.

The bus was formerly registered as SBS9844Z.

Photo via HKBDB/Facebook

According to Land Transport Guru, the Volvo B10TL (Volgren) bus was first registered in Apr. 2003, and deployed to bus services 161, 133, 55 and 25 during its time on the road.

It was allocated to Ang Mo Kio depot.

The bus was retired from service in April 2020.

Bus enthusiasts in Hong Kong snapped photos of it near Kwai Tsing Container Terminal, located on Tsing Yi island.

The photos were subsequently circulated in the hkitalk forum:

Photo via hkitalk forum

Photo via hkitalk forum

Photo via hkitalk forum

Mothership has reached out to SBS Transit.

What happens to retired buses?

Public buses in Singapore have a lifespan of 17 years to ensure that the bus is in an optimal condition to serve commuters, LTA was quoted saying in a YouTube video.

Many of these buses are then scrapped or used as mobile libraries for a couple of years. Some have also been converted into private static displays.

However, some of these older models have found their way overseas, such as to Thailand.

For instance, former SBS Mercedes-Benz O405 buses have found their way to Bangkok after being retired in 2011.

Here's a look at the inside, according to a video by glitchfan2428:

Screenshot via YouTube video by glitchfan2428

Screenshot via YouTube video by glitchfan2428

Cool.

Top photo via hkitalk forum.