From Optare news
The pre-production 10.5m Transport for London (TfL) specification Metrodecker demonstrator has completed a successful trail with Go-Ahead London. The Optare double decker was put through its paces operating on routes from Go-Ahead’s Bexleyheath bus garage.
Richard Harrington, Engineering Director for Go-Ahead London, commented: “Go-Ahead are committed to taking care of our customers changing needs, today, tomorrow and always, so we were delighted to be able to put the Metrodecker through its paces in London. We were pleased with the Metrodecker’s overall performance with regards to reliability, serviceability and fuel efficiency. We received very positive feedback from the 95 different drivers who drove the vehicle in service, with the majority reporting that it was a great product with a clear view of the road ahead. Our customers were also very complimentary of the vehicles comfort and design.”
Robert Drewery, Commercial Director, Optare said, “We are delighted with the performance of the Metrodecker in the capital and the positive feedback from Go-Ahead London and their customers. The vehicle will remain with Go-head London for a little longer, moving to New Cross Garage, where drivers and engineers will undergo familiarity training in preparation for the Metrodecker EV prototype route 36 trial in the summer.”
The Metrodecker, powered by the Mercedes-Benz OM934LA, Euro 6, four-cylinder engine with ZF Ecolife transmission, has a fully integral frame, boasts light weight credentials, enviable fuel economy and class leading seating capacity. The Metrodecker is available in two lengths the two door TfL specification measures in at 10.5metres and the single door provincial specification at 11.1metres. A TfL specification fully electric prototype Metrodecker was also launched in November last year at EuroBus Expo.
According to London Vehicle Finder, the Metrodecker was mostly used on route 486. If you type in “history YJ16DBO” (without the quotes) you can see the route history of the bus.
More news from Optare:
The Northern-Irish government owned transport operator 'Translink' has purchased 40 of these Optare single deck buses for the price of £6 million.
From Route-One
Optare has won a £6m order for 40 vehicles from Translink, for its services across Northern Ireland. It is understood that some will be used on feeders into the Belfast BRT, due to open in September 2018.
Completed to a high internal specification, the buses are already in build and the first 24 are expected to be delivered later this month and early April.
Of the order, 13 are Solos, and the remainder are single-deckers.
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