As we know, London Buses Route 12 is operated using the three-door, two-staircase hybrid New Routemaster buses.
The new air-conditioned tri-axle hybrid bus will be used on route 12 with the New Routemaster buses.
Excerpts from Vantage Power
Vantage Power, a London-based company developing award-winning electrified and connected technologies for heavy-duty vehicles, has today announced the customer hand-over of the UK’s first hybrid triple-axle double-decker bus.
Developed in partnership with Purfleet-based operator-dealer Ensignbus and BCI of China, the Enterprise 2HD represents an all-new class of vehicle for the UK market, and will set a new standard for low emissions, fuel consumption and operator costs while providing unrivalled levels of passenger comfort. The Enterprise 2HD contains the latest in Vantage Power’s electrified and connected powertrain technology, and sees a Euro VI range extender paired with two compact high power lithium-ion battery packs totalling 29kWh, fully electrified ancillaries, an electrically powered rear axle, and Vantage Power’s unique hybrid vehicle control unit and telemetry system, VPVision™.
The first vehicle has been bought and will be trialled by Go-Ahead Group – London’s largest bus operator – on route 12. Passengers will enjoy the smooth, quiet ride, and benefit from USB chargers and mobile phone holders in every seat. The Enterprise 2HD carries 130 passengers – a 52% increase over the 85 passengers carried on a typical double-decker bus – and a potential game-changer for reducing congestion on London’s streets.
This carries more than a hybrid New Routemaster bus!
Alex Schey, CEO of Vantage Power said, “I am delighted to see Vantage Power’s highly innovative electrified and connected technologies power this unique vehicle, and I look forward to working with our partners to prove this out in the demanding London operating environment.”
Richard Harrington, Engineering Director of Go-Ahead said, “We are pleased to partner Transport for London (TfL) on another innovative scheme designed to make bus travel even more attractive in the capital. This Enterprise Two HD bus is the UK’s first Euro Six hybrid triaxle and will be deployed on Route 12 (Oxford Circus to Dulwich Library), where passengers will benefit from USB chargers, phone holders, upgraded seats and full airconditioning. This high-capacity vehicle additionally delivers another product to the market and along with our partners, we will closely evaluate its performance over the coming months.”
John Perkins, one of Go-Ahead’s drivers and among the first to inspect the vehicle commented: “This has got to be, without doubt, the best bus on London’s roads.”
Coach and Bus Week have published an article about the tri-axle bus which you can read here and also on the Route-One website.
You can keep track of the bus on London Vehicle Finder once they appear on route 12. The registration of the bus is LX18DGF and the fleet code is TA1.
If the trial is successful, we could see an increase of tri-axle buses for London bus services. I look forward to seeing the Alexander Dennis Enviro500 tri-axle tested on one of the London bus routes.
You can read more on the tri-axle bus project and the history of the tri-axle bus project for London in this article here: Hybrid Tri-axle double-deck bus for London
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