6 June 2002
To upgrade service quality with more comfortable bus seats, as well as providing passengers with a new-look bus saloon, later this year KMB will introduce a brand new ergonomic seating design for new air-conditioned double deck buses delivered to Hong Kong. The new seats will be set at an optimum tilt angle and feature a body contoured seat-back to fit the requirements of most passengers while providing maximal support.
In contrast with the existing mono-colour synthetic leather design, the new ergonomic seat will be meteor pink in colour, bringing a fresh look to the bus saloon. The synthetic leather cover is static-free and easy to keep clean, enabling the bus saloon to keep its sheen at all times. The new generation KMB bus seats are made of high-density foam for improved seating comfort and durability.
The new ergonomic seat will adopt a standard width of 440 mm, compared with the existing 2+2 seating design, where seat width varies from 410 to 440 mm. There will also be an increase of 25 mm in the height of the seat-back, to 585 mm, thus providing greater support for passengers. Most of the seats inside the bus compartment will also adopt a minimum 105-degree tilted angle for passengers' greater comfort.
At the same time, to provide passengers with comprehensive protection, seat belts will be provided for all seats without a hand-rail or seat back in front. All aisle seats located on lower deck platforms which are higher than the gangway will also be equipped with a foldable arm rest to enhance comfort and safety.
At the press conference introducing this new ergonomic seat design, KMB Principal Engineer, Mr Shum Yuet Hung, also reviewed the evolution of KMB bus seats.
"The seat design of KMB buses has undergone various changes in line with the social development of Hong Kong. When KMB began operating in 1933, all KMB bus seats, with the exception of first class seats with cushions, came in the form of wooden ribs, to provide good ventilation to suit the tropical climate. In the 1960s, raffia was used as the major material for bus seats to provide passengers with greater comfort.
In the early 1970s, KMB started to use green gloss fibre, a new industrial product at the time, which provided both a fresh look and greater comfort, as well as being easier to keep clean. All seating in those days was mainly 2+2 in configuration."
"In 1974, with the emergence of Daimler Fleetline 'Jumbo' double deck buses with increased bus body width, KMB introduced a 3+2 seating arrangement in both upper and lower saloons to increase the seating capacity. At the same time, it introduced a foam cushion seat to improve comfort. In 1985, to facilitate boarding and alighting and better gangway movement, KMB adopted the 2+2 seating arrangement on the lower deck of all buses."
With the introduction of air-conditioned double deck buses in 1990, KMB developed another seat design featuring independent seats. Grey synthetic leather was used at that time and each seat was made of high density foam. In 1992, to bring greater zest to the bus compartment, seats were grouped in pink and grey herringbone synthetic leather. In 1995, to further improve passenger comfort in terms of greater seating space, seats with a head-rest and configured in the 2+2 seating arrangement with a width of at least 410 mm - much wider than the legal requirement - were introduced in both saloons of all newly purchased KMB buses.
With the introduction of the world's first super-low-floor double deck bus in 1997, 2+2 seating featuring all-in pink synthetic leather was adopted in all newly purchased KMB buses. Some seats were also equipped with a seat belt and a foldable arm rest.
Mr Shum added, "Through discussions with its manufacturers on latest seat designs, KMB aims to upgrade the bus saloon environment and provide passengers with the most comfortable bus journey. We feel that the introduction of this new ergonomic seat design once again demonstrates KMB's commitment to the continuous improvement of its service quality."
For further information, please contact:
Ms Susanna Sin
Senior Manager, Media Relations
Corporate Communications Department
Tel: 2786-6002/ 7909-8050
Fax: 2371-2910
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