Optare announces the rollout of the Metrodecker EV

This is a follow up to my previous article where I showed you the press release from Alexander Dennis.

Optare has recently announced a rollout of 31 electric double deck buses for London Bus Route 134 which will be operated by Metroline.

Excerpts from Optare News

Optare will supply 31 all-electric double deck buses for TFL Route 134 running from North Finchley bus station to Tottenham Court Road to start operation next summer.

TfL unveils the new Class 710 for the London Overground

TfL has unveiled the new Class 710, manufactured by Bombardier which will soon to be used on the Lea Valley Lines, Gospel Oak to Barking Line (GOBLIN), Watford DC Line and Romford to Upminster Line.

From TfL press release

The new trains will carry almost 700 people per train and feature a high capacity walk- through layout, Wi-Fi and USB charging points and a brand new seat moquette.

Electric double deckers for London Bus routes 43 and 134!

At last! We are seeing TfL and the Mayor announcing the rollout of the double-deck electric buses for two London Bus routes.

From Mayor of London press release

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, announced the creation of the largest double-decker electric bus fleet in Europe today, as he brought together city leaders from across England and Wales for a national air quality summit.

Optare Metrodecker buses for Green Line 702

At last, Optare has finally placed an order for five new double-deck Metrodecker buses from Reading Buses for the Green Line Route 702.

From Optare

Optare have confirmed their first ever order for their Metrodecker Euro 6 double decker bus. The order from Reading Buses for five vehicles to operate on the Green Line 702 route between London and Windsor is due for delivery in June 2019 ahead of the London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) coming into operation. ULEZ will require all vehicles operating into Central London to meet the stringent Euro 6 engine emission standards.

TfL awards Siemens Mobility to build 94 new trains for the Piccadilly Line

TfL ended the rollout for the three-door, two-staircase hybrid New Routemaster bus, but they have now announced that Siemens Mobility will be building 94 new trains for the London Underground Piccadilly Line.

From TfL Press Release

Siemens Mobility Limited to design and manufacture 94 new, state-of-the-art Deep Tube trains to serve the Piccadilly line

BYD Enviro200EV for New Zealand and Nottinghamshire - and more Enviro500’s for Switzerland

The number Enviro200EV’s is increasing as one New Zealand transport operator has ordered 3 for their services.

This article is a compilation of news from the Alexander Dennis website.

From Alexander Dennis

Christchurch operator Red Bus will introduce New Zealand’s first fully electric urban bus service early next year with three Enviro200EV single deck battery buses ordered from Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL). The 12m long buses will be fully air-conditioned and will carry 60 passengers.

SRM Volvo B5LHC update and a trial for automatic passenger counting on London Buses

Starting off with a press release from TfL on testing the new automatic passenger counting which will be tested on routes 55, 47, 222, 507 and 521.

From TfL Press release

• The data could be used to improve services, provide better real-time travel information and help prioritise investment across London
• All data collected will be automatically anonymised and no individuals will be identified

TfL is beginning a three-month trial to identify how best to automatically count passengers on buses. The trial, which will begin on Friday 8 June, will assess which techniques capture passenger numbers in real time with the most accuracy. This could enable TfL to improve its services, provide better real-time travel information and help prioritise investment - all while being cheaper and more reliable than current manual counts.

TfL to remove cash fares for Croydon Tramlink

TfL has announced that cash fares will be removed on Tramlink which will bring them in line with London Buses.

From TfL press release

18 year old ticket machines across Tram network to be removed on 16 July 2018