The first coach operator to introduce a double-decker in their fleet was NiCE, or Nationwide Interstate Coach Express. NiCE with its brand such as Plusliner, NiCE 2 and NiCE++, operates to various cities and towns in Peninsular Malaysia, as well as Singapore. The double-decker coach service, christened NiCE 2, was designed specifically for the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore sector. It made big headlines in the local media because of its novelty. Designed by Bee Hing Coachworks, it was fitted onto the Scania chassis. The service received good response from customers initially, but passenger numbers dwindled not long after. It is believed that NiCE 2 succumbed to stiff competition from other operators in the sector.

Since then, a myriad of operators and models from the many bus bodybuilders in Malaysia have sprung up. While some opted to include a range of services and frills onboard to attract passengers, others remained conventional with the facilities onboard. Transtar Express, considered as one of the pioneers in the industry, has a fleet of double-deckers on its Premium, First Class and First Class Solitaire classes. Amongst the facilities and amenities provided onboard are, personal entertainment system with LCD screens, massaging chair, reclined seats and F&B service, just to name a few.

Other operators followed suit, creating somewhat a new trend among interstate coach operators. Now, almost similar amenities an be found onboard Five Stars Express, Aeroline, Konsortium Bas Ekspres Semenanjung (KBES), Airebus, Grassland Express and several others. Such luxurious settings, however, are mostly found on double-deckers serving the Singapore sector.

There are other double-decker operators which operates such buses within Malaysia. These buses, on the contrary, lacked the many luxurious facilities on their cross-border counterparts. While some operators opted to upgrade the level of comfort with the new 2+1 seating configuration, some like Mahligai and eMutiara maintained the conventional 2+2 seating configuration.

Ever since the beginning of the decade, almost every big name in the interstate coach express industry have begun to introduce double-deckers in their fleet. Mahligai Express, eMutiara Express and Sani Express, which are the leading operators in the East Coast, all have new and modern double-deckers since June 2008. Transnasional, the nation's largest interstate coach operator, have also introduce their Skyview double-deckers on their trips to the East Coast, and the latest to Johor Bahru in the South. Mayang Sari Express and KKKL Express also has double-deckers on their Southern routes. The incumbent operators up north, like Durian Burung Express, AB Express, Jelita Transtours and KBES, were among the first to deploy such coaches anywhere in Malaysia. Looking into the future, several other big names like Suasana Edaran Express, Cepat Express and SP Bumi Express are rumoured to have ordered double-deckers for their interstate operations.

Double-decker buses are not only popular with the coach companies. Believe it or not, government agency and even a university have also acquired double-deckers! Double-deckers can also be seen operating as citybuses in the Klang Valley, as well as in Malacca.

There seem to be no pause or a lack of interest for double-decker coaches. We can expect more operators to jump into the bandwagon. The market leaders are also constantly replacing their fleet with newer double-deckers. With levels of comfort reaching new highs, the consumers are the obvious winners in this competition. However, with prices of oil ever on the increase, it is unlikely operators will reduce ticket prices, even with stiff competition.

all photos are copyrights of the respective owners.

This entry was originally published on July 11, 2008.

Baturaden, Unsoed, s(r)oto Sokaraja, Gethuk Goreng, Mendoan ? Tidak lagi !

Ternyata yang sedang ngetop sekarang adalah “MAYANG SARI” ! Mayang Sari telah menjadi bagian yang tak terpisahkan dengan Purwokerto. Bagaimana tidak, seorang Mayang Sari sekarang ini telah menjadi “penguasa” Purwokerto. Aset dan bisnisnya telah merambah di seantero kota Purwokerto dan sekitarnya. Dari pusat grosir, show room mobil, jasa travel, sampai dengan aset rumah dan tanah. Ini semua karena mendoan-nya .. eh bukan … semua karena salah seorang warga Jalan Cendana :-) . Bagi Anda pecinta infotainment tentu sudah paham.

Namun ada sisi lain yang masih menarik.

Bagi kita istilah Nasgitel (panas Legi Kentel) sudah sering kita dengar. Tetapi WASGITEL ?

Soto Sokaraja sudah lama terkenal. Dan yang saya coba adalah Sotonya Pak Suradi. Katanya masih ada yang lebih enak lagi.

Rumahku Sorgaku. Demikian slogan Perumahan Bantar Soka di Purwokerto Barat.

Dan suasana pedesaan dengan sawah yang menghampar, masih merupakan pemandangan yang biasa

Nah ini merk-merk rokok lokal yang hanya ada di kota-kota kecil, mungkin baru kita lihat dan dengar.

Dan lain-lain

Bagi komunitas Banyumasan monggo ..

• Babad Alas Mertani 1.00
• Babad Alas Mertani 1.01
• Babad Alas Mertani 1.02
• Babad Alas Mertani 1.03
• Babad Alas Mertani 1.04
• Babad Alas Mertani 1.05
• Babad Alas Mertani 1.06
• Babad Alas Mertani 1.07
• Babad Alas Mertani 1.08
• Babad Alas Mertani 1.09
• Babad Alas Mertani 1.10
• Babad Alas Mertani 1.11
• Babad Alas Mertani 1.12
• Babad Alas Mertani 1.13
• Babad Alas Mertani 1.14

• Chanel tv apapun kalo diganti ke chanel manapun, pasti ada kata presiden, Pak harto, suharto, wafat, prosesi, maap.
• Ada pelajaran sejarah di TV, tapi khusus membahas pak harto (i hate history lesson).
• Artis2 pada muncul sambil berkata, "ikut belangsungkawa", "mari kita maapkan", "semoga tenang arwahnya" dll.
• Para reporter, tukang gosip dan artis mulai lancar melafalkan "Inna lilahi wa ina ilaihi rojiun", paling artinya juga nggak tahu.

Kata temen saya (yang terkenal soktahu), kerusakan ini nggak akan berlangsung lama. Paling banter 2 hari juga normal kembali.
Apa mau di kata, ya sudah. Akhirnya terpaksa deh meloti tv yg rusak itu. Dan saya (secara mengejutkan) dapat menyimpulkan beberapa hal yang menyangkut Almarhum Mantan presiden Soeharto, antara lain:

1. Tembok Psikologis yang menghalangi pengusutan korupsi di pemerintahan kemaren sudah hancur.
2. Loyalitas orang/kroni2 terhadapnya hanya sebatas saat dia menjabat.
3. Fakta sejarah mulai terbuka (apakah benar dia seorang pahlawan sejati ato hanya manipulator sejarah).
4. Suka senyum bukan berarti orang baik.
5. misteri seputar Supersemar akan mulai dikuak, karena salah satu saksi mata supersemar akan buka mulut saat pak harto tiada.
6. Anak2 dan cucu pak harto ketar-ketir, kalo2 bener keusut bisa ditangkepi semua.
7. Anak presiden jadi pembunuh/kriminal adalah biasa di Indonesia.
8. Tugas tentara hanya mengawal mayat, ga lebih (lebihnya ya paling dangdutan).
9. Kalo memaafkan kesalahan, tu ga perlu tahu salahnya apa.
10. Ada kemungkinan Halimah ma Mayangsari jambak-jambakan pas ketemu di prosesi pemakaman.
11. Bendera Merah Putih dikeluarkan dari gudang dan di pasang setengah tiang 6 hari kedepan.
12. Dia adalah presiden yang spesial. Coba pikir, yang disebut dengan sebutan "mantan presiden" hanya dia. Yang lain paling namanya, panggilannya, ato parahnya singkatannya. hehehe.

Terlepas apapun pro kontra mbah harto, saya utchapkan banyak terima kasih atas kesan pahlawan yang dicekoki telah tumbuh di hatiku, terlepas benar ato tidak. Dan, selamat jalan Mantan Presiden H.M Soeharto. Semoga tenang di alam Warsono.

Yang jelas, Forgiven but not forgoten.

Sebenarnya tulisan ini lebih terfokus pada realita yang terjadi pada kehidupan Bambang, Halimah, dan Mayang Sari. Bukannya gue orang yang mengamati infotainment terus-menerus. Kebetulan lagi di burjo saat siaran tv  ngebandingin Halimah dan Mayang Sari.

Saya juga bukan mengajak pembaca buat milih: Mayang Sari atau Halimah. Cuma kadang heran... Sebenarnya wanita seperti apa sih yang diinginkan lelaki dan sebaliknya. Dan sejauh mana toleransi bisa diberikan. Gue tau jawabannya bakal subjektif banget....

Tapi... di antara itu semua pasti ada titik temunya... Semoga suatu saat cuma ada pernikahan yang tidak berujung pada perceraian. Karena menurut gue, poligami masih lebih baik daripada perceraian...