E-Mutiara Adds Eight New MAN Double-Deck Coaches For KL–Singapore Route
Konsortium e-Mutiara Berhad is expanding and renewing its express bus fleet with eight MAN new-generation double-deck coaches, with the latest units set to serve the popular Kuala Lumpur–Singapore route.
The 12.9-metre, 38-seater coaches feature Truckquip Sdn Bhd’s Alpha DD12 double-deck body mounted on MAN’s next-generation RR5 ELSA chassis.
The new coaches come with advanced electronic systems and driver assistance technology, while their Euro 5 diesel engines are designed to meet current sustainability requirements for commercial passenger transport.
The coaches were handed over to E-MUTIARA by Truckquip and MAN Truck & Bus (M) Sdn Bhd (MAN Malaysia) at a ceremony witnessed by Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) Deputy Director (Operations) Puan Masita binti Mat Isa.
Safety Technology Takes Centre Stage
For E-MUTIARA, the latest fleet investment is particularly focused on passenger, driver and road-user safety.
The new MAN coaches are equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) including Electronic Braking Assistance (EBA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Cruise Control.
They also feature telematics and a Fleet Management System to support fleet monitoring and management.
Speed is controlled through a tamper-proof, factory-set system, limiting the coaches to 90km/h on highways and 70km/h on downhill stretches.
E-MUTIARA managing director Puan Naemah bt Ya’acob said safety has remained a priority for the company and highlighted MAN’s ADAS technology and aftersales support.
She added that all of E-MUTIARA’s MAN coaches are covered by a Repair and Maintenance Contract, allowing the vehicles to be maintained by MAN technicians.
More MAN Coaches Planned
The latest delivery marks another step in E-MUTIARA’s expanding relationship with MAN Malaysia.
MAN Malaysia Head of Bus Kasimov said the company’s latest handover was its third bus handover event with E-MUTIARA in 16 months.
The partnership is also set to grow further.
E-MUTIARA plans to take delivery of additional MAN coaches in the coming months, including what is described as the first locally assembled 14.7-metre single-deck coach for new routes.
The company also plans to introduce a fleet of new-generation, more luxurious MAN coaches for its premium Mutiara LUXE service.
With express bus travel between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore continuing to grow, E-MUTIARA’s latest fleet investment shows how the sector is increasingly looking beyond passenger capacity and comfort, with electronic safety systems, fleet monitoring and controlled vehicle speeds becoming an increasingly important part of long-distance coach operations.
CarTok Editor’s Note
E-MUTIARA’s latest MAN coaches are an investment in safety, comfort and improved fleet management.
These are important considerations for a cross-border service where coaches spend long periods on highways and passenger expectations for safety and comfort are high.
If E-MUTIARA continues to expand its MAN fleet while introducing locally assembled products, the partnership could become an example of how Malaysia’s commercial vehicle ecosystem can move towards higher-value products.
