MAN SL202 #889 - ex #1689

MAN SL202 889 was the first CNG-powered bus to be preserved in SA. Ignoring the issues of fuelling, the owner pursued their desire to own one after retirement from metro service.

It was originally introduced in August 1995 as bus 1689 in service with TransAdelaide at Morphettville depot. In 2000 it was transferred to Serco, and renumbered 889, still at Morphettville.

“CNG” is the abbreviation for compressed natural gas. Since 1995, over 150 buses have been delivered with this fuel. With the introduction of ‘Euro IV’ emissions standards, the environmental benefit of CNG was negated by the nitros-oxide exhaust gas, marking the end for CNG power.

2005 saw it transferred to Torrens Transit, and then in 2011 to Light-City Buses. In 2018, following the purchase of Light-City Buses by Torrens Transit, 889 was once again in service with Torrens Transit.

In 2020, bus 889 was retired. Less than a year later, it had been purchased for preservation and now enjoys a relaxed retirement. It will be restored to “as delivered” condition.

Do you have, or know of, somewhere in metropolitan Adelaide that has CNG refuelling facilities we could use? We’d love to hear from you.