ATR1 - First DENNIS Trident for KMB

In 1996, DENNIS Specialist Vehicles declared to close its production on Dominator and developed a new model called Arrow. The chassis of Arrow is derived from single-deck Lance. Because it is the policy of Hong Kong bus companies to purchase 3-axle double-deckers only, DENNIS designed a 3-axle derivative from Arrow, and gave a different name, Trident.

However, Trident is not simply a 3-axle Arrow. Tirdent is quite different from Arrow, especially for the lower-deck floor. There is still one step for both the entrance and exit for Arrow, but Trident is a low-floor double-decker with no step in front of the 2nd axle.

The first Trident arrived Hong Kong on 28 May, 1997. The bus is also the first one that uses Alexander ALX double-decker body. In early 1997, Alexander announced to replace all its existing models by a new series called ALX, from ALX100 to 500. ALX400 is normally for 2-axle double-deckers while ALX500 is for 3-axle ones. Another body builder that provides bodies for Trident is Duple Metsec.

When the Trident arrived Hong Kong, the body was painted in standard KMB colour, however it seems that the management of KMB wants people pay more attention to this first low-floor double-decker for Hong Kong, the body was then repainted in gold with some special graphics, to demonstrate that this bus is suitable for everybody including those who are disabled. The special graphics were then erased in 1998 after the first annual C.O.R.

Before entering into service, the bus was officially demonstrated to the public in the event of "Public Transport Cares for You" orgainized by Home Affairs Department and various public tranport operators on 6 July, 1997.

The bus was then registered as HJ 2127 on 22 September, 1997, and KMB allocated ATR1 as her fleet number. After a series of route trials, ATR1 started her passenger service on Route 1A on 17 November, 1997.

There are totally 12 photographs on ATR1 and you can view them on the following page, please click the photographs on the page for enlarged version.

Vehicle Specifications Registration mark : HJ 2127 Fleet number : ATR1 Chassis : SFD111AR1TGT10102 First registered : 97/09/22 Chassis : Dennis Trident Engine : Cummins M11-305E Gearbox : Voith DIWA 863.3 Body : Alexander ALX500 1st axle weight : 8,000kg 2nd axle weight : 9,300kg 3rd axle weight : 7,500kg Gross weight : 24,800kg Length : 12,000mm Width : 2,450mm Height : 4,382mm Upper deck seating : 57 Lower deck seating : 33 Standing : 36 Wheelchair : 1

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