Hino Poncho starts one-month trial run with Causeway Link – disabled-friendly minibus to serve route 10B

Hino Poncho starts one-month trial run with Causeway Link – disabled-friendly minibus to serve route 10B

Hino Motors Sales (Malaysia), in collaboration with the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) and Handal Indah, has commenced a one-month trial run featuring the Poncho minibus, which will ply the route 10B (Taman Setia Indah-Johor Bahru Sentral).

The minibus has already been used in the Klang Valley, with RapidKL previously running a fleet of them for several routes as part of its own trial run. For route 10B, the Poncho will be dressed up in the instantly recognisable Causeway Link livery that Handal Indah uses on its other buses.

Prior to the start of the trial run, Hino conducted a 15-minute test ride session from Johor Bahru Sentral to the Pandan bus stop to showcase the Poncho’s disabled-friendly features. This includes a low floor and a vehicle height adjusting system that can lower the vehicle’s height by as much as 50 mm for easier ingress and egress.

Hino Poncho starts one-month trial run with Causeway Link – disabled-friendly minibus to serve route 10B

Present at the event were passengers representing Persatuan Sokongan Orang Kurang Upaya Johor Bahru present, who sang praises for the minibus’ ease of boarding and slide ramp to cater to those who are wheelchair-bound, with anchor hooks built into the passenger floor.

The disabled-friendly bus is capable of ferrying up to 31 passengers (including those standing) and is powered by a Euro V-compliant 5.0 litre turbodiesel engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The powertrain also uses the automaker’s Diesel Particulate Reduction (DPR) system, and can operate without additional after-treatments like AdBlue urea fluid to minimise operating and maintenance costs.

In Japan, there are more than 2,000 units of the Hino Poncho operating within busy cities and narrow roads. The minibus measures seven metres in length, which is significantly less than current buses in operation that are around 10 to 12 metres long, making it more manoeuvrable.

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Gerard Lye

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard's strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

Comments

  • Chavez on Jul 24, 2020 at 1:23 pm

    This minibus easy OKU fren daily to and fro JB-SG

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Malaysia Boleh on Jul 24, 2020 at 1:26 pm

    I like this Japanese Shuttle Bus. Cute, Practical and comfortable.
    It fit the japan cityscape.

    Welcome to Malaysia.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Bieight on Jul 24, 2020 at 1:41 pm

    Cute looking bus…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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