[Welcome to the CBE] JUTC 2022 Ankai G912 (22A) 3036 on Route 31 [Review in Desc.]

Route 31 Northbound to Chancery, taken on August 10, 2024 between Downtown and Duhaney Drive + Washington Boulevard.

[Review only applies to the High Floor Variant]
Some may be disappointed to find I don't hate these buses at all. I found the ride quality to be good, same goes for the AC, and they didn't feel like they were going to fall apart at all. For the looks, while I wouldn't say I'm impressed, their plain design is still fairly easy on the eyes.

The buzzers are located between the windows which is something we haven't seen since the various white Volvo and Mercedes units that came 20+ years prior. The audio response is much better than what was seen with prior Golden Dragon units though there is a noticeable delay after your press. The seats feel a bit odd but I got used to them after a while, and though the pattern on them is nice, I have concerns about it ripping off over time. There are also plastic handles hanging from the overhead rails along the ceiling which seems to be an evolution of the rubber straps/loops seen in the Volvo B10M and B10M Jonckheere buses from 1995-2002.

These buses are powered by a Cummins engine with a ZF Ecolife transmission, giving smooth acceleration that, while not punchy, neither feels slouchy. Despite revving low, these buses are quite loud likely due to minimal exhaust sound regulations in China compared to Europe where the Volvos and DAF came from.



Overall Rating: 7.3/10
There are a few things I don't like such as the lack of a side number sign, the manual suspension, the exterior volume of the engine, and the level of damage seen on their exteriors, but from a rider's perspective, while I would never chase an Ankai, I can easily enjoy a ride in one.

Route Paths:
South Parade: 0:00
West Parade: 0:42
West Queen Street: 1:01
West Street: 3:13
Beckford Street: 4:20
Darling Street: 6:05

Spanish Town Road
South of Three Miles Interchange: 7:26
North of Three Miles Interchange: 14:29

Weymouth Drive: 18:20
Washington Boulevard: 20:58
Duhaney Drive: 22:23

Vehicle Details
Depot: Spanish Town (3019-3022, 3025, 3028, 3030, 3033-3036, 3038, 3040-3047, and 3050)
Engine: Cummins ISL
Transmission: ZF Ecolife 6AP1420B
Thumbnail photo is of 3029, taken by another enthusiast