The first Higer bus sold in Australia has just passed a two-year milestone, traversing tough road conditions in the Snowy Mountains region of southern NSW
November 2, 2010
The first Higer bus sold in Australia has just notched two years of trouble-free service operating school runs and charter work in the Snowy Mountains region.
Jindabyne-based Snow Link Tours bought the Higer 9.5 from White Motor Corporation in October 2008, and has since clocked 70,000km.
Operator Wally Alexandrow says he would have no hesitation buying another Higer.
He says Higer’s low pricing was the biggest attraction when he bought the bus two years ago.
“I was a little sceptical at first and I suppose I was taking a chance with the first one in Australia but the Higer has proved itself in pretty harsh conditions here in the Snowies,” Alexandrow says.
“The kids really love it because it is so smooth and quiet.”
He says the Higer’s ‘futuristic’ external rear view mirrors intrigue the kids.
“They have nicknamed it ‘the bug bus’ because it reminds them of an insect with feelers,” Alexandrow says.
“We will be fitting a higher ratio diff soon to give better climbing performance but apart from that the Higer hasn’t missed a beat.”
The Cummins powered Higer equipped with a ZF automatic transmission copes with several big climbs traversing the road between Jindabyne and Thredbo whether in the snow and ice of winter or the heat of summer.
As well as the daily school run along the Alpine Way the Snow Link Higer has done several trips to Sydney taking school kids to sporting events and functions as well as handling other charter work in the Snowy region.