Scania K280UB 14.5m (Volgren CR228L)

Note: This article is about the Tri Axle Bus with Scania K280UB 14.5m chassis in a Volgren CR228L body. The Scania K310UB (14.5m) and Scania L94UB (14.5m) are in a similar body while the Scania K280UB 14.5m (Custom Coaches CB60 Evo II) has the same chassis.

## Introduction

During October-December 2009, Hillsbus took delivery of 39 brand new tri-axle buses. These buses had a Scania K280UB 14.5 metre chassis and a Volgren CR228L body. After testing, the buses were deployed on high capacity routes where they still operate. All 39 buses are still in working condition.

## Fleet Numbers

All tri axles are based at the Hillsbus Foundry Road Depot. They have plate numbers M/O 9817-9820, 9823, 9824, 9826, 9828-9839, 9842-9846, 9848-9852, 9854, 9855, 9859-9861 and 9865-9869.

Buses with fleet numbers M/O 9854, 9855, 9859-9861 and 9866-9869 are in the Metrobus livery while M/O 9826, 9833, 9849 and 9865 have been repainted into Transport for NSW livery (as of February 2023). All other buses are in the Hillsbus Canary Yellow livery.

## Specifications

The Scania K280UB chassis is capable of producing 280 brake horsepower from a centrally mounted diesel engine at the rear. The bus has a 6 speed ZF Ecomat transmission and Alcoa wheels. The front and rear set of wheels can turn while the wheels in front of the rear wheel are stationary. This design allows the bus to round tight corners.

Like all other tri axle buses in the Hillsbus Fleet, these buses are licensed to carry 86 passengers, 56 seated and 30 standing. The bus has 2 wheelchair/pram spaces near the front of the bus and 7 folding seats, 3 on the door side and 4 on the driver side. The wheelchair ramp at the front door has to be manually extended.

They also have a Cooltek air conditioning unit, also found on the other tri axles.

The buses have 2 doors, a front door and a rear door. The front door is a double leaf door while the rear is a single leaf door.

This model of bus is the first Volgren bus to feature curved poles, a feature also adopted for the Volvo B7RLE (Volgren CR228L) and the newer Volvo B7RLE (Volgren Optimus).

The buses have a rear window. They are the newest Volgren buses in the fleet to have one.

These buses, along with its CB60 Evo 2 counterpart, are the 2nd loudest buses in the fleet, only beaten by the Volvo B10MA. Most of the noise comes from a fan used to cool the engine.

The buses have flush fitting windows to give passengers a better view, although they cost more to replace. The windows are not tinted.

These buses are the only tri axles to feature vents on the rear. They are on the door side of the rear, where the exhaust pipe would be on a Scania L94UB.

These buses are the only tri axles to feature foglights on the front bumper, a feature also found on early Volvo B7RLE (Volgren CR228L) buses.

Like the Scania K230UB, these vehicles are fitted with a digital Scania dashboard. However, the Scania K280UB 14.5m (Custom Coaches CB60 Evo II) has the old dash design.

## Trivia

* Despite being newer than the Scania K310UB, this bus is less powerful and louder than the former.
* These are the most numerous tri axles in the whole fleet.
* Some of these buses have started to have vibrations when stationary, giving an uncomfortable ride.
* These buses have a smooth acceleration sound which many bus enthusiasts (including me) find iconic.
* 9826, 9834 and 9849 have CDCNSW logos instead of Hillsbus logos.
* The rear fleet numbers on 9854 are slightly askew.