Maxson Goh takes a glimpse at the history of Bristol Airport’s distinctive green Mercedes-Benz Citaro hybrid
To the thousands of holidaymakers thronging through Bristol Airport every day, the sight of this bright green single-decker is nothing out of the ordinary. That is, unless one is from Singapore. This Mercedes-Benz Citaro Hybrid demonstrator was trialled in the city-state from 2020 to 2021, then bearing the registration number SG4004B. During its time in Singapore, the bus operated under a government special purpose exemption as it did not comply with existing road traffic laws. Measuring 12.1 metres in length, it surpasses the 12-metre limit set for rigid buses. As a result, the routes in which the bus was permitted to travel on were restricted to two services, along with their respective dead runs back to Ulu Pandan depot.
SG4004B entered revenue service with ComfortDelgro Group subsidiary SBS Transit on 13 March 2020, operating on the 272 serving Bukit Merah in the southern region of Singapore. It would later move to the 93 between Harbourfront and Eunos before being withdrawn on 8 March 2021 upon completion of its trial. Due to its non-compliance, regular road use was not permitted, leaving the bus in a state of limbo until late 2023 when the decision was made to transport it nearly 7,000 miles to England.
Now registered as WX19 LYC, it operates a near non-stop service between Bristol Airport’s terminal and car rental zone, still proudly wearing the signature Singapore ‘Lush Green’ livery with white and silver pinstripes. Stepping aboard, I was pleased to discover that the bus retains nearly all interior fittings from its previous life, including the standardised Singapore passenger information display and ‘doors closing’ chime. It looked virtually identical to when it was in service back then! As the ride drew to a close, I found myself half-expecting to have my senses assaulted by the hot and humid weather at Bukit Merah bus interchange’s alighting stand…
