This is my essay about the failure of the Wrightbus SRM bodywork and the success of Alexander Dennis’ City bodywork. The purpose of this essay is not to discredit Wrightbus and their SRM design.
Wrightbus and Alexander Dennis developed and manufactured their own New Routemaster spin-offs as part of TfL's challenge to succeed the New Routemaster bus designed by Heatherwick Studios.
As mentioned in my previous article, the Northern Irish bus manufacturer Wrightbus are having cash flow problems and are trying to find new investors.
SRM stands for "Son of Routemaster"; it was designed by Wrightbus and unveiled in March 2016 to offer bus operators the chance to purchase the New Routemaster design without the rear door and rear staircase in different drivelines provided by Volvo.
Here's a short list of reasons why Wrightbus failed to gain sales with the SRM:
Since the SRM was unveiled back in March 2016, I've been repeatedly saying that Wrightbus still haven't featured their product on their website, but continue to feature the three-door, two-staircase hybrid New Routemaster product. Since they haven’t promoted their product, they haven’t gained new sales for their SRM product.
The SRM bodywork is only seen on the Volvo website for their B5LHC product which was unveiled during November 2016.
They haven’t demonstrated the SRM for bus operators in Britain to experiment with for their services and thus have failed to gain customer satisfaction.
Bus operators prefer to use the conventional Gemini 3 bodywork due to the high costs involved with the SRM.
Does TfL restrict operators purchasing the SRM?
I’ll show you some extracts from various sources from the March 2016 launch of the SRM Volvo B5LH product:
From Bus and Coach Buyer
Ian Downie, MD Sales & Customcare for Wrightbus, explained the motivation behind the new bus, saying, ‘TfL presented us with a challenge to develop the iconic look of the Routemaster with a shorter overall length, single staircase and twin doors, which could be built on an alternative driveline combination. We took the challenge on board and used our design experience and expertise to develop the SRM.’
Leon Daniels, (now former) TfL’s MD for Surface Transport, obviously likes it, commenting, ‘It looks fabulous.’
Speaking at the launch, Leon said, ‘It is great to see the new Wrightbus SRM body arrive on the streets of London and this latest addition to the Wrightbus/Volvo Bus partnership will form an important part of our drive to provide the best in passenger transport around our city. Wrightbus has certainly risen to the challenge we set them, which has resulted in the state-of-the-art bus we have here today.’
He said that no matter who wins the (2016) Mayoral election, the next generation of London buses would incorporate the same features seen in the New Routemaster, though he also said that buying the new features was not compulsory because it was an open tendering process.
From Route-One
Commentary on the cost difference between the two Wrightbus models is being studiously avoided, short of Wrights Group Chairman and CEO Mark Nodder commenting that the SRM will be competitively priced – and if it is to compete in a market that is becoming rather congested, that’s vital.
TfL is also careful to avoid mentioning that the Mayor’s challenge includes an element of reducing buses’ acquisition cost while retaining the NRM’s pluses, but there is heavy suggestion that NRM ‘lites’ such as the SRM and Enviro400 City may supersede the original in buying policy once all NRMs are delivered.
Both Wrightbus and ADL have boxed clever. By declaring from the start that provincial-spec variants of their new models will be available, political machinations in the capital have the potential to benefit operators outside it.
According to Bus and Coach Week issue 1232
Leon Daniels (now former Managing Director for Surface Transport) stressed it was "not compulsory" to buy one of these so-called DNA buses: "As part of open public sector procurement, we give the market the freedom to specify a value-for-money product in the hope of winning the tender It's for the operators to decide what products to offer and it will be for us (TfL) taking into account procurement rules, the available sums of money and the price offerings from the operators and it will be down to us to accept the best value for money "TfL will not be buying any SRMs," Leon continued. "TfL is not generally in the business of owning the bus fleet. I'm a great believer in the private sector doing what it does best including managing garage assets, labour and the fleet. We bought the fleet for the New Routemaster as we were of the view that a three-door, two-staircase vehicle would have limited prospects on the second-hand market, and therefore the operators would be building into their prices the high risk factor for potential losses upon disposal. We decided we would grant the operators an amnesty on that risk by owning the fleet. In general, we like the fleet to be owned by the operators."
Then in early 2018, TfL stated on a freedom of information request:
We have interpreted SRM as being ‘son of routemaster’. In other words, the spin-off vehicles being produced by Wrightbus and Alexander Dennis. These vehicles are bought or leased by bus operators, not TfL, and we do not determine that these models should be used for routes. It is their choice and therefore if the operators choose to buy or lease them, this will increase this type of bus in the fleet. We don't hold details such as vehicle costs as our private operators buy or lease, and we weren't involved in a project to develop them.
SRMs in service
Currently there are six SRMs with Volvo B5LH drivelines purchased by bus operator RATP-Dev for route 183.
As mentioned above, TfL does not restrict bus operators using the SRM for their contracted routes.
Solutions for Wrightbus for their SRM product
Wrightbus had many opportunities to develop the SRM to gain sales; they don't need to rely on TfL and London bus operators to achieve new sales with the SRM as they have more opportunities elsewhere in Britain, Ireland and around the world.
Instead of shelving the SRM design, they could have built demonstrators in different drivelines such as Euro 6 diesel, hybrid system (not using Volvo B5LH chassis, but using hybrid components used for the New Routemaster bus), hydrogen, biogas and pure battery electric for bus operators in Britain, Ireland and elsewhere to experiment and provide aesthetic appeal for their bus services. They don’t need TfL's involvement with the SRM design.
They could have developed and demonstrated the SRM in tri-axle specification to gain interest and new orders with bus operators and transport authorities from Hong Kong and Singapore.
I say again, First Group held a consultation to propose 200 New Routemaster buses for their West Yorkshire services back in 2015. The consultation report showed over 75% of people in West Yorkshire would consider using a bus more often if First’s proposed ‘New Bus’ proposal was introduced. As First Bus never imposed New Routemaster buses for their West Yorkshire services, the Wrightbus SRM would have been a good alternative as they can use two-door or single door for their operations. Instead they continued to purchase conventional buses for their existing and new services.
Exterior design
I suggested in my previous article that Wrightbus should do design tweaks with the SRM and Gemini 3 to make a common design to build the bodywork easily and cheaply, in line with how Alexander Dennis have strong design similarities with the Enviro400 MMC and City bodywork designs.
In comparison with the Enviro400EV City, I've also mentioned in my previous article that Metroline have opted to cover the glazed staircase with black panels because they wanted to increase advertising space for a slight increase of revenue. Wrightbus could have used that method to enable sales for their SRM product.
Wrightbus could give a major face-lift to the SRM design to make the design more distinct and less controversial to the New Routemaster bus due to ties with the former Mayor of London and current Prime Minister Boris Johnson. A couple of issues with the New Routemaster is the air-cooling and the high capital cost of the project which is around £346 million according to a freedom of information request.
Interior design
They can make changes to their interior design by making it more distinct from the New Routemaster interior by designing a more luxurious interior with a different colour scheme and decoration, which the provincial bus operators use.
The New Routemaster style burgundy and brass colour scheme can still be used for the SRM as an option for operators to use for their London bus route contracts.
In comparison with the Enviro400 City
Looking back to 2014 when Alexander Dennis unveiled the Enviro400 MMC (major model change), they consulted with bus operators in Britain with the new bus type suited to the needs of the bus operating companies. You can view the video of the story on the Enviro400 MMC posted by Alexander Dennis.
Alexander Dennis first unveiled the Enviro400H City back in the autumn of 2015 to compete with the New Routemaster bus.
Here are some extracts of the press release of their launch:
It is a hybrid vehicle that brings together elegance and practicality and ushers in a contemporary new look that features a raft of sophisticated, yet pragmatic design solutions, all of which give it real street presence. In parallel with this, it retains the passenger comforts and dependability that are the hallmark of the market-leading Enviro400 range.
Innovation with Style
Innovation with Style is the hallmark of all new ADL vehicles – and the Enviro400H City is no exception to that rule. It is an inspired successor to the original E400 hybrid and is set to bring a new dimension to public transport in both the suburbs and the built-up city centre of London – and elsewhere.
It features a raked, wrap-round driver’s windscreen with the wipers recessed at the top, a stylish glazed stairwell, and a shallow upper deck windscreen which, combined with other design features, significantly reduces solar gain in warm weather.
The City also retains the same depth of windows as the original Enviro400 MMC, incorporating ADL’s unique QRG (quick release glazing) system, while both the upper and lower deck windows also feature hopper vents, an aspect of the MMC model that has proved hugely popular with operators and passengers in London and across the UK.
ADL’s New Enviro400H City Bus
ADL’s new version of their market-leading Enviro400 double deck was unveiled today at the opening of Coach & Bus Live, held at the UK’s National Exhibition Centre, in Birmingham, and recognised as one of the major “shop windows” in the European bus industry calendar.
Launching the hybrid City bus Colin Robertson announced that a multi-million order had already been secured for the new bus and 19 will go into service with Arriva London, on Route 78, before the end of this year (2015).
He added: “This is a spectacular, new-look vehicle that will bring a further dimension to transport in the suburbs and the city centre of London. It builds on the ‘London look’ with a glazed stairwell, wrap-over rear saloon windscreen and a series of unique design features that reduce solar gain. Significantly, it also represents an evolution of Britain’s best-selling hybrid bus, our Enviro400 double deck, which has a reputation second-to-none for fuel economy, reduced emissions, reliability and all-round performance, hence the reason that almost 900 ADL hybrids are already in operation across the UK”.
Then Alexander Dennis presented their launch video of the Enviro400H City.
Thomas Heatherwick who designed the New Routemaster bus praised the Enviro400 City as a 'back-to-front compliment' to his New Routemaster design.
Here is the video of Thomas Heatherwick talking about his New Routemaster design:
Exterior design
The lower front design of the Enviro400 City is taken from the single deck Enviro200 MMC product.
The side windows of the upper deck are larger than the New Routemaster and SRM design.
The Enviro400 City design features a rear wrap window from the top deck which is a design cue from the Enviro200 MMC single deck product.
Interior design
To compare with the provincial interior of the Enviro400 City, the design is radically different to the London style Enviro400H City with the burgundy and brass colour scheme. The provincial interior design contains leather seating, USB charging ports, wireless charging, phone holders, tables and seat belts.
As we saw with the Enviro400EV City purchased by Metroline for their route 43 contract, they opted to use their own interior livery instead of the burgundy and brass colour which is used on the New Routemaster bus. The popularity of the Enviro400 City
I personally say the Enviro400 City is a 'bus for Britain', now serving three countries of Great Britain.
· In Wales, Arriva route 1 from Wrexham, Wales to Chester, England with Sapphire brand.
· In Scotland, First bus route 500 from Glasgow City Centre to Glasgow Airport.
The council owned bus operators have purchased the Enviro400 City in various drivelines.
· Blackpool Transport uses · Nottingham City Transport (Transdev owns 18% stake) use 97 of the Enviro400CBG City buses for their services.
· Reading buses owns 1 diesel Enviro400 City (for their subsidiary Courtney Buses) and 17 Enviro400CBG City, according to the fleet list.
Go-Ahead Group's subsidiaries Plymouth Citybus and Bluestar bus uses the Enviro400 City for their services.
Bristol Community Transport which is part of HCT Group use the Enviro400CBG City for the Bristol metrobus network. First West of England uses the Enviro400CBG City for their Bristol services.
Uno bus uses the Enviro400H City for Comet branded routes 614 and 644.
Even smaller bus and coach companies have purchased the Enviro400 City; they are Wheelers Travel and Southern Transit.
In London, there are currently 100 of the Enviro400H City buses,
The pure Electric driveline of the Enviro400 City is purchased by various bus companies in England:
From EV bus
· 37 on programmed delivery to Metroline for service on TfL’s Route 43 (Friern Barnet to London Bridge)
· 32 for Stagecoach Manchester scheduled for Q4 2019 (routes including Manchester City Centre, Piccadilly Gardens and Manchester Airport)
· 29 for RATP Dev London in Q1 2020 for use on TfL’s Route 94 (Acton Green to Piccadilly Circus)
· 19 for National Express West Midlands for operation in Birmingham, delivery planned for Q1 2020
That means London will be getting 66 of the Enviro400EV City buses by year 2020; there could be more depending on the operator when they win their new route contracts.
I know the list is huge and I may have missed some out. I should mention that Lothian Buses use the glazed staircase for their 43 foot 11.5 inch (13.4m) Enviro400XLB with the tri-axle Volvo B8L chassis. Also, we are soon to see the three-door, two-staircase Tri-axle Enviro500 MMC with the glazed staircase in service in Singapore.
Here’s the press release for the Enviro400EV City for London Bus route 43 which launched during early July 2019.
From EV bus
The new double deck layout specifically for the Metroline order boasts a lower saloon capacity of 24 forward-facing seats and 43 forward-facing seats in the upper saloon – 67 seats in total. A modern exterior retains the traditional design cues of London’s iconic red double deck buses with thoroughly modern bodywork designed and manufactured by ADL. ‘City’ styling features includes a striking glazed staircase providing aesthetic appeal for passengers, other road users and pedestrians. Further specification is to TfL’s exacting standards including a long wheelchair bay and automatic wheelchair ramp at the rear doors.
Alexander Dennis has posted a video of the Enviro400EV City being assembled.
Due to the popularity of the Enviro400 City with different drivelines, I'd say the aesthetical successor of the New Routemaster has evolved to be the 'Bus for Great Britain'.
Ever since Alexander Dennis unveiled the Enviro400 City back in the autumn of 2015, I predicted the New Routemaster would have an aesthetical successor among bus operators in Britain. I'd say Alexander Dennis have won the challenge on succeeding the New Routemaster design.
As TfL are no longer showing any interest in the New Routemaster bus, at least we could see an increase of the Enviro400 City in the future thanks to Alexander Dennis using the City bodywork for their zero emission Enviro400EV product.
As Wrightbus is having financial issues, I suggest they should refresh their bus range to a more aesthetical design using the design styling from the New Routemaster and the SRM they manufactured. They need to make their bus range appealing to the bus operating companies in Britain and elsewhere.
Wrightbus could have learnt from their competitor Alexander Dennis on promoting their bus range. As mentioned above, Alexander Dennis posted videos of their Enviro400 City product; they featured the construction of the City bodywork on top of the electric bus chassis manufactured by BYD.
Recently BYD have expressed interest in rescuing Wrightbus; I do not know what the outcome will be and you can read more on the Coach and Bus Weekly site. Could that mean Wrightbus bodywork designs could go pure electric?
If Wrightbus goes in to administration, TfL still hold the design template of the New Routemaster bus and this could mean the Enviro400 City will be the only aesthetic double decker bus design for Britain.
Bus manufacturer Optare should develop an aesthetic double deck bodywork using design features from the vintage bus types such as the Alexander bodied Leyland Atlantean, Bristol VR and the Front Entrance Routemaster to compete with the Alexander Dennis BYD Enviro400 EV City. Recently their Electric Metrocity has entered service on London Bus route 134 operated by Metroline.
London bus operators decide which bus models they purchase for their contracted routes; they purchase buses on their suitability and reliability rather than the aesthetics of the vehicle.
Therefore it’s down to the manufacturers to provide aesthetics to their ultra low and zero emission product range. Alexander Dennis delivered the aesthetics to their Enviro400EV using the City bodywork which uses design cues from the New Routemaster bus.
I’d say Alexander Dennis has done a good job with the Enviro400 City as they suit bus services in Britain. I’d also say their Enviro400 MMC is a stylish conventional bus design used for services in Britain and around the world.
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