| Mercedes-Benz O500LE (CNG) | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Body |
Custom Coaches 'CB60 Evo II' |
|
Seating capacity |
44 |
|
Standing capacity |
15 |
|
Length |
12.5 metres |
|
Maximum Power |
185 kW |
|
Maximum Torque |
1050 Nm |
|
Engine |
M 447 hLAG inline 11.967 litre 6-cylinder |
|
Fuel type |
CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) |
|
Wheelchair access/Air conditioning |
Yes/Yes |
|
Buses currently in service/Depot locations |
253/Leichhardt, Ryde, Port Botany |
Introduction[]
The Mercedes-Benz O500LE CNG (also known as the OC500LE) is a CNG-powered, air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible bus model used in the Sydney Buses fleet.[1]
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Mercedes-Benz O500LE CNG, route 433 inbound
Service[]
254 of these buses (fleet numbers 1800-1811, 1812-1869, 1890-1909, 1930-1949, 1970-1989, 1992-1995, 1998, 2007-2009, 2013-2015, 2017, 2020, 2027, 2031-2034, 2041, 2042, 2050, 2051-2058, 2101-2105, 2123-2127, 2141-2145, 2152, 2153, 2171-2178, 2185, 2186-2190, 2198, 2199, 2200, 2214-2217, 2234, 2246-2248, 2256, 2272, 2273, 2283, 2284, 2290-2294, 2310-2315, 2323-2325, 4868-4873, 4875-4877, 4879-4902) are in service at Leichhardt, Ryde and Port Botany depots. They were delivered in 2008-2011. As of July 1st, 2018, all of the Leichhardt-based members of the fleet are operated by Transit Systems West.
Some of these buses were fitted with free WiFi provided by Catch (a subsidiary of advertising company APN Outdoor) as part of a trial in 2017. However the trial ended soon after the media raised severe privacy issues with the system.[2]
All Waverley based buses were transferred to Ryde or Port Botany Depots due to Waverley Depot shutting down and removing CNG refuellers in March 2021.
Mercedes-Benz O500LE CNG, route 391 inbound
Specifications[]
The O500LE CNG is 12.5 metres long and can seat 44. It is powered by CNG and produces 185 kW and 1050 Nm. They are fitted via three Mobitec flipdot displays and a Mobitec ICU400 controller.
If there is an O500LE that is a CB60 and it has 2 air conditioning units then it is an OC500LE
There are two gas tanks (indicated by two CNG stickers on number plate) located on top of the bus near the front. Metal pipes run on the offside roof to the back of the bus. Because the gas tanks are in the front, the Thermo King air conditioning unit is placed at the rear of the roof. The gas tank placement is counter-intuitive, but this is due to the various weight requirements imposed by the RMS. Unlike on other buses, there is no way to refuel the bus on the side. The fuel cap is actually a small hole near the front of the gas tank casing.
As the CNG tanks are very heavy and the engine isn't particularly powerful, these buses really struggle when climbing hills. Depending on driver skill, they will often struggle to go past 20km/h climbing steep hills like Albion St, Surry Hills and Barker St, Kensington.
The total seating and standing capacity of these buses is 69 passengers.
Bus Explosion[]
Bus number 4878 was destroyed when it exploded on 18 July 2011. This led the Rail, Tram and Bus union to remove all CNG-powered buses from the road on 18 October 2011. This ban was lifted the next day. The fire was caused by coolant from a broken hose leaking onto the hot engine and causing a fire. This fire then caused the CNG coming into the engine to overpressurise. As a safety mechanism, the CNG was automatically vented out, causing a fireball to come out of the side of it. Due to the extensive damage, 4878 was scrapped. As this model was no longer in production at the time of this incident, the insurance company replaced this bus with a diesel O500LE CB80 bus.
The investigation report made by OTSI (Office of Transport Safety Investigation) is located here.
Destroyed bus, fleet number 4878
Paint[]
These buses are painted in the Corporate v2 (blue and white), Metrobus and Transport NSW (light blue with white arrow) liveries.
References[]
