[Buses in Beijing]长江依维柯 CBC-Iveco CJ6180GCH EuroRider 北京公交集团 BPT #B004? Front-right at Yongdingmen

A CJ6180GCH 18m low entry rear-engine articulated bus build by Changjiang-Bus-Corporation (CBC)-Iveco on an Iveco chassis

 

CJ6180GCH is the first mass-produced step-less articulated bus in China. This model is generally considered specially-developed for Beijing BRT Line 1 opened in the end of 2005---indeed, the only 50 units of CJ6180GCH are all assigned to that line.

 

The chassis of CJ6180GCH (also the chassis model) is introduced by CBC from Iveco Buses, now part of Irisbus. Derived from the well-established Iveco 391, CJ6180GCH chassis is not a completely original 391---most European Iveco 391s apply a rear-mounted transverse engine, while CJ6180GCH applies the T-drive design (rear-center-mounted, longitudinal engine), due to the inexperience of manufacture and maintenance related to transverse engines. The power train consists of an Iveco F2BE0682F*B 310hp Euro III diesel engine and a ZF 5HP502C 5AT gearbox with integrated retarder. All axles are Iveco products, although the conventional driving axle is uncommon on city buses in Iveco’s homeland. The linkage between the sections is no wonder a German-made Hübner electronically-controlled hydraulic articulation bogie. In general, the EuroRider provides a comfortable ride implied in its name.

 

CBC acquired the exterior pattern of Marcopolo Gran Viale by the contract of Marcopolo minibus manufacture; then CBC created a duet of Iveco chassis and Marcopolo body on CJ6180GCH. The three doors are on the left side, but the first and the second doors are a little narrower than the third. As the result of longitudinal engine arrangement, the step-less area ends at the rear axle---two steps lead to the raised floor behind the third door. However, wheelchair space and baby seats are both available. All destination displays outside are magnetic, presenting the origin, an arrow, and the terminal or “Short-line” plus the actual terminal. On the back of the side destination displays installed the electronic station indicators inside the passenger cabin. Notice the windows of CJ6180GCH is tinted brown---from 2006, tinted windows no longer appears on new buses in Beijing, reason unknown.

 

With CBC diminished and Iveco joined Irisbus, CJ6180GCH has gone out of production, and the 50 in Beijing are carefully treasured".

 

In the picture, Fleet No. B004? (BRT buses, code 004?, actually operated by Division 2) is captured on Yongdingmen (Gate Yongding) Bridge over the South 2nd Ring Road. The antique architecture in the background is the rebuilt Gate Yongding. Gate Yongding is on the southern part of the outer city wall (demolished), along the vertical (North to South) symmetrical line of the Beijing old town. Hundreds years ago, exiting Gate Yongding meant exiting the city.

 

For information about Beijing BRT Line 1, please refer to:

 

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