Scania K series
The Scania K series is a series of chassis in Scania's city bus and coach range with longitudinally, straight-up mounted engine at the rear, replacing the K- and L-type chassis of the 4 series. The K series was first presented on Busworld 2005 in Kortrijk, Belgium and models were available from 2006.
Type designation breakdown
;Plant at which the vehicle was assembled- C: former Kapena plant, Slupsk, Poland
- L: Lahden Autokori plant, Lahti, Finland – Interlink and OmniExpress
- T: Higer plant, China – A30 and A808 Touring coaches
- K: chassis with centrally mounted longitudinal engine behind rearmost axle
Approximation of the power rating in hp to the nearest ten. The power code has spaces on both sides.
;Type of transport
- E: coach, long distance, high comfort
- I: intercity, short to long distance, normal comfort
- U: urban, short distance, normal comfort
- A: articulated bus
- B: normal bus
- D: double-decker bus
- 4x2: two-axle bus
- 6x2: tri-axle bus
- 6x2/2: tri-axle articulated bus
- 6x2*4: tri-axle bus with steered tag axle
- 8x2: quad-axle bus
- 8x2/2: quad-axle articulated bus
- L: low front, normal rear
- M: low front and middle, normal rear
- N: normal front and rear
- B: air suspension front and rear, rigid front axle
- I: air suspension front and rear, independent front suspension
Note: One might think that double-decker coaches are designated as K 440 ED6x2*4NI. But they still use K EB for some reason.
Engines
When introduced, the K series was available with Euro IV-compliant 8.9-litre 5-cylinder engines with output of 230 hp, 270 hp and 310 hp as well as the 11.7-litre 6-cylinder engines with output of 340 hp, 380 hp, 420 hp or 470 hp, the latter being a DT12 turbo-compound engine. For the 5- and 6-cylinder engines Scania is using exhaust gas recirculation and selective catalytic reduction systems to fulfill the legal Euro emission standards.In 2008 Scania released upgraded Euro V engines in order to meet these regulations. The 5-cylinder DC9 engines featured a larger bore and displace 9.3-litres instead of 8.9-litres. The new DC13 engines feature both a larger bore and a longer stroke and therefore displace 12.7-litres instead of 11.7-litres. Some engines also received slight performance improvements, for example the DC9 engine that outputs 310 hp was upgraded to 320 hp.
With the introduction of Euro VI engines in 2013, the DC09 outputs 250 hp, 280 hp, 320 hp and 360 hp, while the DC13 outputs 410 hp, 450 hp and 490 hp. Euro III, IV and V engines are still available for export markets.
For alternative fuels, the 9.3-litre was available as the OC9 CNG engine with power outputs of 270 hp and 305 hp, which from the introduction of Euro VI was replaced by the OC09 with power outputs of 280 hp and 340 hp. The 8.9-litre is available as the ethanol fueled DC9 E02 with a power output of 270 hp.
Scania K EB
The K280EB, K310EB, K320EB, K340EB, K360EB, K380EB, K400EB, K410EB, K420EB, K440EB, K450EB, K470EB, K480EB, K490EB and K500EB chassis have independent front suspension and are used for top end coaches..Scania K IA
The K310IA is an articulated intercity bus chassis available in Latin America as 6x2/2 and 8x2/2.One K340IA 6x2/2 and 107 K320IA 6x2/2 are operated for TransJakarta, with the K340IA unit and 51 K320IA units self-operated by TransJakarta management and 56 K320IA units owned and operated by PT. Mayasari Bakti. All units uses OC09 CNG engines that fulfill Euro VI emission standard.
Scania K IB
The K250IB, K270IB, K280IB, K310IB, K320IB, K340IB, K360IB, K380IB, K400IB, K410IB, and K420IB are the intercity bus variants but are also used for coaches. Available as 4x2, 6x2, 6x2*4 and 8x2.Scania K UA
The K270UA, K280UA, K305UA, K310UA, K320UA, and K360UA are the articulated city bus variant which can be ordered with the two stronger 9-litre diesel engine variants or the strongest 9-litre CNG engine variant.Sydney Buses currently has one K310UA in service on Metrobus Route 10, plying between Maroubra Junction and Leichhardt via CBD.
In Adelaide, Light-City Buses currently have 65 K320UA units plus 5 K360UAs. In addition Torrens, Transit has one K310UA unit which was used as an initial trial bus on the O-Bahn and is owned by Scania. TT also has 12 K320UAs and 4 K360UAs. Southlink currently has 20 K320UA units plus 16 K360UAs. There is also a K320UD being trialled in the hills
Scania K UB
The K230UB, K250UB, K270UB, K280UB, K305UB, K310UB, K320UB, and K360UB are the rigid city bus variant which can be ordered with all 9-litre engines. A pair of K380UB 6x2*4 with the 11.7-litre engine has also been made for a customer in Norway.Australia
Numerous bus operators in Australia operate the Scania K-series chassis.In Melbourne, CDC Melbourne, Transdev Melbourne and Ventura Bus Lines all operate fleets of K230UBs. In Geelong, CDC Geelong operates a number of K230UBs and McHarry's Buslines also operate a number of K270UBs, K270IBs, K280UBs, K280IBs, K320IBs and one K310IB.
In New South Wales, Busways and ComfortDelGro Australia's Hillsbus and Hunter Valley Buses subsidiaries have significant numbers of K230UB, K280UB and K310UB in their fleet. Transdev NSW also operates a fleet of K230UB while State Transit operate K280UB & K310UB.
In Canberra, ACTION operates over 150 K320UBs, including 26 Euro V K320UB 6x2*4 buses.
In Adelaide, Light-City Buses has 112 K230UB units, of which 98 are used on the O-Bahn Busway. Greater-northern and greater-southern, and hills operator SouthLink have 34 K230UB units + 13 KUB units for use in the Adelaide Hills.
New Zealand
In New Zealand, several operators have Scania K-series UB urban buses. Because of the additional weight of the 9-litre engine compared to the 7-litre units offered by other manufacturers, many Scania urban buses are specified as 6x2 rather than 4x2. This helps reduce the operator's liability for road user charges, which are calculated by vehicle weight. Scania K-series urban buses may have tag axles at lengths where buses of other makes would not, e.g. NZ Bus's 2100 and 2200 series at approximately 12.0 m and only 42 seats.Scania K-series urban buses pioneered steerable tag axles in New Zealand, which became a requirement for buses between 12.6 m and 13.5 m in length. Because Scania K-series buses had a longer rear overhang than competing makes, the allowable overhang with a steerable tag axle was increased from 4.25 m to 4.5 m. The Scania K280 UB 6x2*4 and K320 UB 6x2*4 have been popular chassis for operators building high-capacity single-deck buses. New Zealand's first double-deck bus in regular urban service was a Gemilang-bodied Scania K310 UD 6x2*4.
Singapore
SBS Transit
currently operates the largest fleet of Scania K-series buses in Singapore, with a total of 1,101 Scania K230UBs.The company made its first purchase of 500 K230UBs at a cost of S$180 million in early 2007, as part of its scheme to replace most of the ageing fleet and compliance with the new Euro IV emission standards set by local authorities. The single-decker buses are wheelchair accessible and have 2 wheelchair bays each. They are also fitted with 6-speed ZF automatic transmission, bodied by Gemilang Coachwork of Johor, Malaysia with a modified Scania licensed front.
In September 2008, SBS Transit purchased another 400 K230UBs at the cost of S$147 million, with similar features to the first batch of 500. However, these buses had Euro V EEV engine as standard, one wheelchair bay each in favour of extra seating.
SBS Transit made the last order for 200 more K230UBs in August 2009 at a cost of S$72 million.
These Scania K230UBs are the only SBS Transit Bus that ply Service 160 and 170 which is a cross-border service between Singapore and Johor Barhu, Malaysia. Other buses that are SG Plated or not in SBS Transit Livery are not allowed to ply Services into Malaysia.
; Early Withdrawal
SBS8900B was caught in an accident at Bedok North Bus Depot while on Service 48 in December 2011 and was deregistered and scrapped in April 2013.
SBS8360J was caught in an accident at Jalan Jurong Kechil with a MAN NL323F A22 while on Service 157 on 11 May 2018 and was deregistered and scrapped the following year.
Other operators
has 9 Scania K230UBs, configured as open top double-decker buses with bodywork by Soon Chow Corporation for its Hippotours service.Singapore Changi Airport contracted Woodlands Transport Service Pte Ltd to operate 3 Gemilang-bodied Scania K230UB for its internal shuttle services. Upon withdrawal of the shuttle services, these buses were repainted into SATS gateway livery and are used inside the Airport runway. In addition, a specially configured Scania K230UB is used as an "ambulance bus".
Resorts World Sentosa operates a handful of KUBs to provide shuttle services for its hotel guests. These buses were bodied by SC Auto in a coach configuration.
ComfortDelGro Bus also operates a handful of SC Auto-bodied K230UBs for its National University of Singapore internal shuttle service.
Malaysia
, a Prasarana Malaysia subsidiary company, currently operates one of the largest fleets of Scania K-series buses, with a total of 830 single-deck K250UB and K270UBs with three different service brands.- Rapid Penang
- Rapid KL
- Rapid Kuantan
Hong Kong
In 2008, Kowloon Motor Bus purchased 30 Scania K230UBs with Euro IV engines and Salvador Caetano body, 20 of which were 10.6m and the remainder were 12m in length. All were delivered in 2009.The twenty 10.6m versions of K230UBs have been registered between April and June 2009 and known as the ASB class. After undergoing tests, the first few units were finally introduced on route 2C plying between Yau Yat Tsuen and Tsim Sha Tsui on Sunday, 24 May 2009. Some other buses have also been introduced on suburban routes, such as route 7M & 24.
The ten 12m versions of K230UBs have also been registered between June and August 2009 and known as the ASC class.
A further 20 K230UBs of 12m length were ordered afterwards, with one being a Euro V EEV demonstrator of the ASCU class.
HZMB bus operator has ordered 100 K250UBs with Higer body and delivered in 2018.
Taiwan
Two units of Scania K230UB have been in operation by Ho-Hsin Bus in Tainan City since 2014, with bodywork by Gemilang Coachworks.Indonesia
In 2016, the Jakarta Provincial Government placed orders for 150 Scania K250UB Euro III to replace aging Kopaja and MetroMini fleet. In advantage of the older buses, the Scania K250UB is wheelchair accessible and fitted with air conditioner. It is also expected to reduce air pollution since it fulfills Euro III emission standard. The buses are operated by TransJakarta as MetroTrans, and operated outside the BRT system. Operation started by 2017.Scania K UD
The K280UD, K310UD and K320UD is the double-decker city bus variant with an 8.9-litre DC9-18 5-cylinder 310 hp Euro IV compliant engine, or a 9.3-litre DC9-29 5-cylinder 280 hp Euro V compliant engine. The 'U' indicates the bus is designed for the urban application, the 'D' points out the chassis is made for a double-decker.Hong Kong
of Hong Kong received two Scania K310UD buses with and ZF 6HP602 gearbox, the rear drive axle has a ratio of 6.20 and is also a product of ZF. The bus was designed in close co-operation with the body constructor Salvador Caetano in order to save weight.The first one has been registered as MT6551 in March 2007 and entered service on route 104 in August 2007 after testing. The second one has been registered as NE6817 and entered service on route 69X in February 2008.
The K310UD6x2EB is the replacement of the unique K94UB6x2/4LB and also the second type of Scania double-decker bus for KMB.
KMB later ordered a further 20 more units of the K310UD in 2009, they were registered in January 2010.
ASU1 and ASU2 were de-registered in March 2012 and were shipped back to Sweden afterwards.
In March 2011, Citybus received one Scania K280UD tri-axle double decker. This is the second Scania bus acquired by Citybus, about 10 years after the unique K94UB6x2/4LB was introduced in 2001. It is equipped with a Euro V compliant Scania DC9-29 engine, rated at 280 hp with maximum torque 1400Nm, both of which are lower than the KMB counterparts, coupled to a ZF Ecomat 4 6HP604 NBS 6-speed gearbox. It is also bodied by Salvador Caetano, but with some minor changes from KMB ones.
KMB also received two Scania K280UD buses in late 2014 with newly designed Salvador Caetano bodywork. These two buses, like the one purchased by Citybus, are also equipped with Euro V compliant Scania DC9-29 engine. These two buses feature orange Hanover LED destination signs and uses high capacity layout with square staircase. The first bus has been registered as TE7277 with the fleet code ASUD1 in February 2015, with the second one registered as TF6087 with fleet code ASUD2 in March 2015.