A year after a Hino HS3KRKA demonstrator had entered service, Trans-Island Bus Services placed a follow-up order for 11 Hino HS3KRKK buses. The Hino HS3KRKK chassis was designed for citybus application, and had a slightly shorter length than the HS3KRKA. A newer design of the Volgren CR221 bodywork was specified, which TIBS also adopted later on when it ordered for more MBO405 and Dennis Lances.

The production units were fitted with the Hino K13U engine (13267cc) that is Euro II compliant and ZF 4HP 500 automatic transmission, similar to the demonstrator unit. Most obvious of these differences were aesthetic - they received Lawo Luminator Europa (now LAWO) Aluma EDS, were fitted with overhead Denso air-conditioning, received non-fabric seat covers of a unique variant, and its front exterior looked more streamlined.

When first introduced in 1999, the production units served on 188 between Choa Chu Kang and World Trade Centre (now HarbourFront). Under SMRT Buses they were initially reassigned to Bukit Batok feeder services. Later on these buses were confined to rural routes, out of reach to residential areas. The unceremonious and premature retirement of all Hinos from revenue service in April 2013 marked an end to the era of a Japanese-made rigid bus fleet in TIBS and SMRT Buses, a relationship that began with TIBS's first day of operation on 3 April 1983 with Hino RK176 buses. However, a number of Japanese minibuses remain in active service with Bus-Plus.