丹尼士統治者 Dennis Dominator

丹尼士統治者 Dennis Dominator

編號 Class：DM

丹尼士於七十年代，憑藉著一個全新設計之後置引擎巴士底盤，再次踏足巴士生產行列(雖然之前時間曾經推出喝采巴士，但那只是純粹為香港生產之款式，再者也只是從一款貨車底盤改裝而來)。在香港這個龐大市場而言，縱然未有大量統治者在本港行走，但由其衍生出來之三車軸巴士底盤，卻深受用家之歡迎。

九巴一共擁有四十架統治者巴士，全部車長九點四米，配上由都普供應之車身外裳，全數於一九八三年下線，服務乘客，在投入服務之初，曾經服役於過海隧道路線，之後時間，被編配到服務新界新市鎮區內接駁線及接駁市區之路線，其後在其晚年服務生涯中，多見於何文田區路線，成為服務該區之其中最後一批非空調巴士。

統治者巴士由於只有九點四米長，加上其一式一樣之車身，於九巴車隊中盡顯其獨特一面，加上寬敞之車廂及像綿花糖般柔軟之懸掛系統，令其深受巴士迷及乘客之喜愛，可惜的是，全數九巴統治者巴士，均已經於二零零一年十月全數退役。

Dennis was brought back to the bus market by a newly designed rear-engined bus model: Dominator at 1970s, although Dennis had produced Jubilant before the production of Dominator, Jubilant is a solely model for Hong Kong and it was modified from a truck chassis only. For a huge market liked Hong Kong, Dominator is not a success bus model on the total number of Dominator operated in Hong Kong in different fleet, however, the 3-axle model based on the design of Dominator are widely welcomed by bus operators.

There are 40 Dominator which overall length 9.4m in KMB fleet, a small number compared with the model of the other two manufacturers. All of them were fitted with bodyworks form Duple Metsec and commissioned in 1983. They were deployed on cross-harbour routes, and for internal routes in the new town or routes connect with the urban area. In their lately service life, most of them serve routes like 8, 18, 45 which via Ho Man Tin and they are one of the last batch of non air-con bus serving this area.

As Dominator only have the total length of 9.4m and with their same body design which give them a outstanding feature in KMB fleet., together with the spacious compartment and marshmallow like air suspension system, make a very good impression on passengers and bus enthusiast. It was pity that all KMB Dominators were withdrawn from passengers service at October, 2001.

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