Sani Express First To Get Volvo B11R Low Entry Bus In Asia
Sani Express Sdn Bhd is expecting 12 units of the newly built Volvo B11R Low Entry 6×2 double-decker bus to be delivered over the year. Sani is the first in Asia to get the Volvo B11RLE chassis bus and plans to put them in service between Kota Bharu and Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia is the 2nd market, after the UK, to offer this low entry chassis.
Sani is one of the biggest bus operators from Kota Bharu, providing transportation services such as airport transport, hotel shuttles, and intercity and city operations.
The Volvo B11R low entry bus features the ALPHA DD12 double decker body built by Truckquip Sdn Bhd (TQ), which is part of the Tan Chong Group. TQ is also Volvo’s fully authorised chassis assembly factory in Malaysia. The bus is fitted with enhanced safety via the integrated Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) which includes Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS). This feature will provide alerts against falling asleep momentarily or distractions whilst driving. In addition, the Alpha DD12 is built with a wider stance thus providing for better stability to improve passenger comfort and safety.
“Malaysia is the only market in Asia offering the Volvo B11RLE, it is assembled and built here in Malaysia, and specially designed for Malaysia to meet our customers’ expectations, passengers’ requirements, and local operational needs. Today is the first time ever that we are showcasing the fully built bus and providing first-hand ride and drive experience. By offering one specific product model specially designed for one market, it shows our full commitment to the development of public transportation in Malaysia and our strong confidence in the growth of express coaches and premium tour buses in the Malaysian bus market,” said Mats Nilsson, Vice President of Volvo Buses Asia Pacific. Volvo Buses continues to remain committed to Malaysia, and prioritises effort to provide the best solutions for the Malaysian bus market to help address the challenges faced by bus operators.
“The partnership between Volvo Buses and TQ started as early as 2015, with bus chassis assembly for the local market, and we are proud to collaborate on this specially designed for Malaysia model Volvo B11RLE 6×2. It is a true glo-cal approach, a state-of-the-art product with global experience from Volvo, coupled with local body design meeting every need of the local requirements. TQ’s technical team has worked day and night over the past year with Volvo’s body building support and instructions to come up with this striking, premium double deck coach and we look forward to more such successful collaborations,” shared Tan Keng Meng, Executive Vice President and Group CEO of Warisan TC Holdings Berhad.
Wan Mohd Iskandar bin Dato’ Salleh, Group Managing Director of Sani, added that he is confident that the newly purchased Volvo B11RLE models will elevate his fleet to a new level by providing outstanding comfort to his passengers for long distance travel.
YB Anthony Loke Siew Fook, Transport Minister of Malaysia, who was also present added, “As the bridge between states and cross border travels, express coaches play an essential and prominent role in the public transportation system in Malaysia. Intercity coach travel serves areas or cities, which otherwise could be difficult to reach, providing a more flexible and economical alternative for our people. Thus, we are extremely excited to see manufacturers like Volvo working with local body build partners like Truckquip, coming up with products that are customized and specially designed to meet the local operational needs, and bring to our operators a first-hand experience of ride and drive. We believe this will encourage more efforts and investments into the local bus industry and ultimately benefit our passengers by providing a safer, more comfortable and enjoyable journey!”
