E-MAIL
In response to Lhasa’s people-oriented project to “greatly develop public transportation to facilitate residents’ daily trips,” 30 Golden Dragon XML6125J18C city buses equipped with Allison T310R fully automatic transmissions have been operating in Lhasa since May 2012. Featuring outstanding performance as well as comfort, reliability and durability, these 12-meter automatic buses are the first from China to operate on the Tibetan Plateau, also known as the “Roof of the World.”
Allison Transmissions Make Golden Dragon Buses More Reliable and Comfortable on the “Roof of the World”
Due to its high altitude, poor climate and fragile ecology, the Tibetan Plateau is also known as “Earth’s Third Polar Region.” Situated in a river valley at an altitude of 3,700 meters (12,139 feet), Tibet’s capital has an unpredictable climate and 40 percent less oxygen in the air than is present at sea level, posing extreme challenges for vehicle reliability and performance.
More than 300 buses fulfill daily transportation needs to over 400,000 people. The automatic buses operate on lines No. 8 and No. 20, passing through Potala Palace and downtown arteries on densely packed four-lane roads. On such heavily trafficked roads, Allison’s Continuous Power Technology™ enables automatic buses and their 280 horsepower engines to run smoothly on the plateau, significantly improving comfort for both residents and tourists.
“Allison’s torque converter increases engine torque at launch and offers uninterrupted power during acceleration and gear shifting, which satisfies the demand for excellent power in buses,” said Steven Chew, managing director for Allison Transmission China.
Annual driving mileage typically reaches 100,000 kilometers for buses in plateau regions, and since engines have to operate at high speeds due to low amounts of oxygen in the air, the degree of wear and tear is much more severe than at sea level. Through advanced electronic controls, Allison transmissions effectively reduce fuel consumption while protecting both the engine and the driveline, prolonging a vehicle’s life.
Allison Automatics have won high praise for reliability and durability in Lhasa, with no record of breakdowns. Providing smooth, powerful braking through a unique hydraulic output, retarder reduces vehicle brake wear lowering maintenance costs.
In addition, Allison transmissions provide easy maneuverability to minimize driver training and maintain a “rapid arrival or satisfying reply within 24 hours” promise to provide quality after-sales technical support in China. Allison closely tracks bus operation to provide timely and comprehensive service through its seamless service network, despite the challenges of the low-oxygen, arctic-alpine environment.