Friday 28 February 2020

Transport news roundup for February 2020 – Electric buses for Los Angeles & stylish biogas buses for Bristol

This is a selection of various transport news which occured during the month of February 2020.

First of all, my prediction turned out to be correct in a article I wrote back in November 2019 when Tower Transit won routes 23 and C3; I expected them to use Optare Metrodecker EVs for their new route contracts.

Extract from Optare

Tower Transit Orders 37 Optare Metrodecker EVs for its First Electric Routes

Optare, one of the UK’s largest bus manufacturers whose Parent company is Ashok Leyland and part of the UK based Hindjua Group, is delighted to announce that it is to partner with Tower Transit Group in the launch of 2 new electric routes in London with the supply of 37 Metrodecker double deck EVs.

Tower Transit was awarded the contract for routes 23 and C3 by Transport for London in November 2019. The routes will operate out of the operator’s Westbourne Park garage in the North West of the Capital. Routes C3 and 23 will be Tower Transit’s first battery electric operation.

The award winning Metrodecker EV, the world’s first zero emission double decker, is designed and built at Optare’s facility in Sherburn, near Leeds. Building on more than a decade’s experience in EV buses, Optare launched a prototype in 2016 and following extensive trials in London and in a number of cities across the UK, the company launched its second generation bus in 2018. The Metrodecker EV entered service in summer 2019

Tower Transit’s order is the third major contract for the Metrodecker EV in just over a year, and the second order for the capital. By the end of 2020, 100 units of the bus will be in service. The Metrodecker EV’s class leading range, capacity and efficiency has delivered this growth. Optare continues to invest in developing electric vehicles with the aim to be at the forefront of this technology.

Optare’s Chief Executive Officer Graham Belgum, said “I am proud to see the Metrodecker EV consolidate its position in London with a second order on a further two routes. This commitment is testament to the capability of the vehicle. The partnership with Tower Transit has been developed through the tender process and we are now working closely together to deliver the customer’s specification. We look forward to a successful roll out later this year.”

Tower Transit Group’s Engineering Director, Satnam Cheema, said, “Tower Transit’s win of routes 23 and C3 was based on a comprehensive study of EV operations and the technology available. We were impressed by the performance of the Metrodecker EV demonstrator during trials. The bus also enhanced our bid by offering a straightforward charging solution at our Westbourne Park garage. We are confident of a successful launch and we intend to use the experience gained to win further EV routes in London.”

Both routes will launch in the 3rd Quarter of 2020. 37 Metrodecker EVs will save more than 1,800 tonnes in greenhouse gas emissions well to wheel in each year of operation versus a Euro 6 bus.

First Bus has purchased 77 double-deck biogas buses for services in Bristol.

Extract from Scania

The 77 biogas-powered Scania/ADL buses being delivered to First West of England represent a proven solution capable of reducing emissions of greenhouse gases by 80% and Nitrogen Oxides by 95%. As such, their introduction into Bristol marks a major step in Scania's commitment to helping its operators drive the shift to more sustainable transport solutions.

"Following their introduction in 2013, the latest generation of Scania biogas-fuelled products have been contributing to cleaner air in a number of cities around the UK, including Bristol where Scania/ADL gas buses have been operating on the metrobus service since its inception in 2018," comments Mark Oliver, UK Bus & Coach Fleet Sales General Manager for Scania (Great Britain) Limited. "Now that the second gas bus filling station is opening in the city, we are delighted to be a part of this continuing success story alongside our partners First West of England and the Gas Bus Alliance."

Based on Scania N UB4x2 chassis, the 77 First West of England vehicles feature Scania's OC09 101 nine-litre, five-cylinder, Euro 6 dedicated gas engine driving through a ZF 6AP 1202B EcoLife six-speed fully automatic gearbox equipped with ZF's Topodyn automated gear selection programme.

The Scania OC09 101 engine develops 280 horsepower (206kW) at 1,900rpm and 1,350Nm torque at 1,000-1,400 rpm and is capable of operating on compressed natural gas (CNG) or biogas. When operated on biogas, carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by up to 95 percent. To meet Euro 6 emission levels, the engine employs single stage exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and does not require selective catalytic reduction (SCR).

The chassis are equipped with ADL's 11.5-metre overall length, 4.3-metre high City-style Enviro400 body. Sixty-eight passengers are accommodated on Lazzerini Practico high back seats, and there is provision for 12 standees. Each vehicle has two wheelchair spaces accessed via a front door manual ramp. Additional features include USB charging points, passenger Wi-Fi and wireless bell pushes fitted to the seat backs in the upper saloon. Heating and ventilation is by way of a continually blown heating and recirculation system, and vehicle off-road time is minimised by ADL's patented Quick Release Glazing (QRG) system.

Extract from First Bus

As part of its ongoing commitment to improving air quality and tackling the Climate Emergency, First West of England today launched its 77 new bio-methane powered gas bus scheme, including a major new gas filling station at Lawrence Hill depot.

From the start of January, the first ten of the new buses came into operation on the metrobus m3 service, drawing fuel from the existing gas station opened last year at the Parson Street premises of Bristol Community Transport but they will be using the brand-new gas fueling station at Lawrence Hill depot when it comes into use next week-end.

The next 27 buses will take to the streets in East Bristol from next week, launching a brand new citylines east Bristol identity and replacing all city buses currently running along Church Road to St George and points east - routes 42 to 45.

The new buses feature Scania chassis and bodies built in Britain by Alexander Dennis Ltd (ADL) and will reduce emissions by 85% and give customers a much-improved on-board experience, smooth and quiet with modern, comfortable interiors, featuring USB charging points and a second wheelchair space on each bus.

The new gas filling station, designed and built by Gas Bus Alliance, represents an investment of more than £2million and took around nine months to build. It can provide 100% compressed bio-methane to fuel up to 100 gas buses. The bio-methane is taken direct from the mains, which provides another green benefit as there will be no fuel delivery from road tankers. The station can be easily extended to supply more buses as they are purchased, in due course.

Operating in tandem with the existing bio-methane station in Parson Street, Bedminster, which opened last summer, the two sites mean a total of 99 buses will be running on bio-methane gas in the area by April 2020. Each fueling will keep a bus on the road for around 250 miles.

The total scheme has involved an investment of £28 million over three years and was part-funded by a government grant of £4.79 million under the Low Emission Bus Scheme (LEBS) through South Gloucestershire and Bristol City Councils.


Stagecoach has unveiled two new double-deck electric buses for their service in Cambridge:

Extract from Alexander Dennis

Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) and BYD Europe jointly announced today that their electric vehicle partnership, the UK’s leading electric bus producer, has supplied two electric double deck buses that Stagecoach will operate in Cambridge in the first use of the zero-emission BYD ADL Enviro400EV in the UK outside London. ADL is a subsidiary of leading independent global bus manufacturer NFI Group Inc. (NFI), while BYD is a global leader in batteries, energy management and electric mobility.

Alexander Dennis has supplied the electric double deckers to Stagecoach for a project between the operator and the Greater Cambridge Partnership, supporting an improvement in air quality in the city centre of Cambridge and giving the opportunity to inform potential future investment in a zero emission bus fleet.

Passengers on the Citi 6 route in Cambridge will be the first in the UK regions to benefit from the smooth and quiet drive of the BYD ADL Enviro400EV when the electric double deckers enter service on Stagecoach’s city network on 17th February.

The BYD ADL Enviro400EV is built in ADL’s factories in Great Britain on chassis supplied by its electric bus partner for the UK market, BYD. Stagecoach has opted for the 4.2m low-height version of ADL’s City style body, seating up to 70 passengers on comfortable ADL SmartSeats. The 10.9m long vehicles provide room for a further 13 standees.

Michelle Hargreaves, Stagecoach East Managing Director, said the introduction of the electric vehicles was a milestone for the company and supports the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s vision to improve air quality: "Over the years we have steadily reduced the environmental impact of our diesel buses and now 32% of the fleet have the most efficient Euro 6 engines. The addition of the electric vehicles is a further step forward in our attempts to keep emissions to a minimum. Over the past decade across the UK, Stagecoach has invested more than £1 billion in new greener vehicles and by the end of 2020 it will have one of the biggest electric bus fleets in Europe."

ADL Chief Executive Colin Robertson says: "Double deckers are the backbone of bus services in Britain. The BYD ADL Enviro400EV enables their electrification, having been designed to provide a viable operational range without compromising the passenger experience. We are delighted that the Greater Cambridge Partnership and Stagecoach are first in the UK regions to enjoy its benefits and make buses an even more sustainable choice."

"With the success of our BYD ADL Enviro400EV double deck product in London, it comes as no surprise that a major operator such as Stagecoach can see the benefits of electric mobility elsewhere,” said Frank Thorpe, Managing Director at BYD (UK). “Our single deck BYD ADL Enviro200EV vehicle is already the electric bus of choice for a growing number of operators around the UK, and I only see an expanding customer portfolio now for our double deck offering."


Another follow up from my previous article, - Nexus, a transport executive in the North East of England have signed a contract with Stadler to supply new trains for the Tyne and Wear Metro.

Extract from Nexus

Nexus has officially signed a contract with the Swiss train builder Stadler to produce the new train fleet for the Tyne and Wear Metro.

Stadler has been chosen by Nexus after an 18-month global search for the best manufacturing partner for 42 new trains to be delivered up to 2024, transforming performance and passenger experience on Metro.

The new trains will cut Metro’s high voltage power consumption by 30% while providing 15 times better reliability than the current fleet. Metro’s 36 million passengers will benefit from modern features including wifi, charging points, air conditioning and a step-change in accessibility.

Among new features will be an automatic sliding step at every door of the new trains, making travel easier for Metro’s 50,000 wheelchair passengers as well as people with children’s buggies, luggage or bicycles.

Stadler will supply Nexus with 42 new trains, build a new Metro maintenance depot and carry out 35 years of maintenance for the new fleet.

The order, comprising trains, depot and maintenance, is worth around 700 million pounds sterling. This success in the north-east of England sees Stadler win its third major METRO contract in Great Britain. Passengers on all underground trains in the UK outside London – in Liverpool, Glasgow and now Newcastle upon Tyne – will soon be travelling on Stadler trains.

The transport authority, Nexus, based in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, has signed the legally binding contract with Stadler for the delivery of 42 METRO trains, including an option for more trains. A ten-day objection period, which started on 28 January 2020, the day that the contract was awarded, has now run its course. No competitor has appealed against Nexus’s decision to award the contract. The Tyne and Wear Metro serves Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, South Tyneside, North Tyneside and Sunderland in Tyne and Wear in the north-east of England.

Commercial operations are scheduled to begin in 2023. In 2024 the new METRO trains will completely replace the existing fleet. The contract for the supply of the vehicles, the construction of a new depot and the maintenance of the trains for 35 years is worth around 700 million pounds sterling. Stadler will also work with local suppliers from the North East of England to produce the new trains.

Good news for Wrightbus as they have recieved an order to build 163 new buses for Rotala PLC for their services.

Extract from Rotala PLC

Rotala Plc, have this week announced an investment of over £29million in new buses for the group.

The order for 163 brand new vehicles will be delivered throughout 2020 and will see a further 128 Streetdeck double-deckers join the Diamond North West business.

Diamond in the Midlands will also benefit from a further 14 single-deck Streetlite buses, with the remaining vehicles joining Rotala subsidiaries Preston Bus and Heathrow-based Hallmark Connections.

The order has been placed with the British bus manufacturing firm, WrightBus and will feature the latest Micro Hybrid technology. This means the new vehicles will have Low-Emission Bus certification and help to contribute to better air quality for local towns and cities.

To improve the passenger journey experience, they will also come with additional features such as synthetic leather seating, USB charging points and CCTV.

This latest announcement continues the Rotala pledge made in 2018 to invest in new buses, bringing improved performance and better journey quality to passengers across its operating regions.

Daimler has recieved new orders to supply new electric buses for bus services in Thuringia, Germany.

Extract from Daimler

Efficient and environmentally friendly local public transport in cities: Environmental label "Blue Angel" for the Mercedes-Benz eCitaro

Cities are becoming more environmentally friendly and enjoying a higher quality of life thanks to the all-electric Mercedes-Benz eCitaro. This is underscored by its latest accolade in the form of the environmental label "Blue Angel". For more than 40 years it has been the German government's environmental label and it is awarded by independent institutions. The coveted eco-label proves the eCitaro's environmental friendliness and the exemplary path it is taking towards locally emission-free local public transport. The eCitaro is the first fully-electric city bus entitled to bear this environmental label.

The first eCitaro vehicles with the "Blue Angel" environmental label are on the road in Jena

Jenaer Nahverkehr GmbH is the first transport operator to receive three eCitaro vehicles with the "Blue Angel". The company operates local public transport in the Thuringian university city, with a fleet including 43 city buses on 13 routes. The three eCitaro models form the foundation for the first electric bus fleet in Thuringia. They are also equipped with current collectors for intermediate charging via plugs. The order also encompasses charging infrastructure, including a current collector charging station at the depot and at the "Westbahnhof" railway station. The safety equipment of the buses is also impressive and includes Sideguard Assist.

The "Blue Angel" eco-label for the Mercedes-Benz eCitaro is further proof of the successful commitment to sustainable public transport in cities and conurbations. This battery-powered city bus thus stands for environmentally-respectful local public transport, contributing to air purity and therefore to enhancing the quality of life in cities.

Demanding criteria from individual components to guarantees

There are high hurdles to be taken before the environmental label "Blue Angel" can be awarded. For example, all-electric buses have to demonstrate a minimum capacity for their high-voltage batteries. Further prerequisites include a guarantee of at least five years or mileage of 200,000 kilometres on the batteries, the opportunity to return them at a later date, non-destructive battery change and the availability of replacement components for up to ten years after production has ended. In addition to this, the proportion of heavy metals in batteries is strictly limited.

Irizar has recieved new orders to supply new electric buses for bus services in Genoa, Italy.

Extract from Irizar

Irizar e-mobility lands in Italy with its electromobility solutions. It will supply 14 zero-emissions buses to the city of Genoa

AMT Genoa has placed its trust in Irizar e-mobility for the renewal of its fleet and has acquired 14 Irizar ie bus 10.8m long 100% electric zero‑emissions buses and their charging facilities. The Irizar brand zero‑emissions buses will operate around the streets of Genoa (Italy) from August 2020.

With on-board energy of 350 kWh, these vehicles have an autonomous range of 220km and have 3 doors, 20 seats, 1 driver’s seat, 1 wheelchair/pushchair area and a capacity for 81 passengers. They are equipped with technology developed by the Irizar Group, comprising electronics and communications technology, and also their main components and systems. The batteries are also Irizar’s own technology and conform to the latest European regulations R100.v2, R10.v5 and UN38.3 on electrical, thermal and mechanical safety.

The vehicles are charged overnight with 9 interoperable chargers with Combo 2 connectors, also developed and manufactured by the Irizar Group.

In the words of Hector Olabegogeaskoetxea, Managing Director of Irizar e-mobility, “Italy is a strategic market for us, and with the awarding of this contract there are now 8 countries using our solutions and services. Genoa is a city with very narrow, inclined streets, which implies a need for a stringent operational set-up from an orographic standpoint, a challenge which we will most certainly overcome with the reliability of our products. After all, we offer turnkey projects that are fully customised and designed to meet the needs of the city and the users.”

In its commitment to contributing to environmental improvement, Irizar Group has invested in the largest photovoltaic solar farm in the Basque Country and the energy generated in this farm supplies the Irizar e-mobility facility, making this the first completely clean energy factory that manufactures zero-emissions electric buses.

Looking at the news from the United States of America, the Mayor of Los Angeles has placed the largest order of electric buses for services in Los Angeles.


Mayor Eric Garcetti today announced that the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) has placed the largest single order for electric buses in U.S. history.

“The clean transportation revolution is not a distant dream — it’s happening on L.A.’s streets right now,” said Mayor Garcetti. “Seeing these zero-emission buses rolling down our roads in the years ahead will bring us one step closer to realizing our vision of cleaner air, lower emissions, healthier communities, and a more sustainable future for all Angelenos.”

LADOT’s purchase will add 155 zero-emission buses to the city’s fleet. The record-breaking order helps advance the core goals of Mayor Garcetti’s recently signed Executive Directive — “L.A.’s Green New Deal: Leading By Example” — which includes measures to make LADOT’s bus fleet entirely emissions-free in time for the opening ceremonies of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“If we do not get off fossil fuels, we are killing our kids and their planet. Fortunately, Los Angeles has the ability to make a big impact in combating the climate crisis,” said Councilmember Mike Bonin. “Moving to a fleet of electric buses is an important step, and I’m glad to work with Mayor Garcetti and the Electric Bus Coalition to make it happen."

"Los Angeles is making a bold investment in a clean transportation future," said LADOT General Manager Seleta Reynolds. "These 155 buses will save the city money on fuel costs and improve air quality and health for families across the region we serve."

Today’s announcement was made at LADOT’s new, state-of-the-art bus maintenance yard — a three-acre, LEED Platinum-certified facility with solar panel canopies and EV charging infrastructure to allow for the service of up to 70 buses, making it one of the largest EV bus facilities in the state.

This purchase was funded using grants from the Federal Transit Administration; the State Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program; California Hybrid and Zero-Emissions Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Program; Transformative Climate Communities; Low Carbon Transit Operations Program; Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee; and matching City funds.

Extract from BYD

Mayor Eric Garcetti announced this week that the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) placed the largest order for electric buses in U.S. history — 134 of them will come from BYD.

“The clean transportation revolution is not a distant dream — it's happening on L.A.'s streets right now,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who spoke to dozens of LA reporters and city workers after quietly arriving at the Department of Transportation in a 30-foot BYD electric bus. He praised BYD for its building the fleet of "all-American buses In Los Angeles County with an "All-American" workforce.

"BYD has its American headquarters here in Los Angeles," he said. "We're happy that we are doing this together."

BYD North America President Stella Li, who attended the ceremony, applauded Garcetti's recognition of BYD.

"This is very significant," she said. "This is not a small order of 20 buses, this not a demo anymore. This is the real thing. It is moving on L.A. streets every day. They have been here four years already and the city can see these buses are reliable."


In another follow up to my previous article, TfL announced the rollout of double-deck electric buses for London Bus route 94. The bodywork of the vehicle contains design features from the New Routemaster bus such as the glazed staircase.

Extracts from TfL press release

Route 94 today became west London's first all-electric double-deck route in line with Mayor's commitment to improving air quality and tackling the climate emergency in the capital

The 94 bus, operating between Acton Green and Piccadilly Circus, today (Tuesday 18 February) became west London's first all-electric double-deck bus route. In addition to cleaning London's air and tackling the climate emergency, the buses also have a range of customer benefits and innovative safety features.

Tackling the twin dangers of air pollution and the climate emergency are key priorities for Transport for London (TfL), with latest plans seeing 2,000 zero-emission buses in London by 2025. The electrification of the 94 route follows the 43 and 134 routes in 2019, and brings the current total of electric buses in the capital to 280.

In addition to improved air quality and lower carbon emissions, customers travelling on the 94, operated by RATP Dev, will benefit from quieter, smoother journeys due to fewer vibrations, and free-to-use USB charging points.

Buses on the route also feature innovative new safety features in line with TfL's world-leading Bus Safety Standard guidelines and will be involved in the trial of an acoustic vehicle alerting system (AVAS) that alerts road users to the presence of quieter running electric vehicles.

In addition to the route 94, another 12 routes are expected to become fully electric over the course of this year. The C3, operating between West Cromwell Road and Clapham Junction, and the 23, operating between Westbourne Park and Hammersmith, are the next bus routes to be electrified.

Extract from Alexander Dennis

BYD Europe and Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) jointly announced today that one of West London’s best-known bus services, route 94, is going fully electric with the delivery of 29 pure electric, 100% emissions-free BYD ADL Enviro400EV double decks. The vehicles go into service this week with operator London United – a subsidiary of RATP Dev. BYD is a global leader in batteries, energy management and electric mobility, while ADL, the UK’s best-selling bus manufacturer, is a subsidiary of leading independent global bus manufacturer NFI Group Inc. (NFI).

Route 94 provides a 24-hour service for West London residents, from Acton Green to Piccadilly Circus via Westfield, Notting Hill and Oxford Street. With an overall 67-seat capacity (24 in lower saloon, 43 in upper saloon), the 10.9-metre BYD ADL Enviro400EV achieves up to 160 miles on a single charge. Power is delivered through BYD’s pure-electric drivetrain comprising the electric motor and 382 kWh Iron-Phosphate batteries. Double deck bodywork from ADL features a striking glazed staircase, long wheelchair bay and an automatic wheelchair ramp at the rear doors.

This latest delivery from the BYD ADL Partnerships sees the total number of its electric buses in service climb to 269, including 200 BYD ADL Enviro200EV single decks. The new vehicle are also fitted with the new Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System which generates sound at speeds below 12mph to alert pedestrians and vulnerable road users.

Speaking at a launch event yesterday, Catherine Chardon, Managing Director of RATP Dev London, said, “These new buses will support TfL and London’s strategy for a greener city. It is the second step in our garage network electrification strategy”. Mehdi Sinaceur, Chairman of RATP Dev UK at RATP Dev, added, “Electrification is one of the key transformations that RATP Dev is helping our London companies with, leveraging our Group experience”.

“Today, we have 234 BYD ADL electric buses operating in the capital – we’re delivering a cleaner London,” said Frank Thorpe, Managing Director at BYD (UK), “RATP Dev is one of the city’s main Transport for London operators, and a 29-vehicle delivery is not only a ringing endorsement for emissions-free mobility for the people of London, but also for the BYD ADL partnership and its combination of world-renowned electro-mobility technology and British manufacturing ingenuity.”

ADL Chief Executive, Colin Robertson, said: “RATP Dev’s route 94 is the second double decker route in London to go electric with the BYD ADL Enviro400EV, with more to follow this year. Red double decker buses keep London moving, and having already supplied hybrid buses to the capital since 2008, ADL is delighted to be a leading partner in their transformation to zero emissions.”

The previous route converted to Enviro400EV City is the 43 operated by Metroline.

I’ll wrap up the article with a video from Stagecoach Buses.


We can expect many more of the Alexander Dennis BYD Enviro400EV City buses to enter service in London, Manchester, Birmingham and throughout Britain.

Upcoming routes to use Enviro400EV City for London:

Route Bus operator Contract start date
173 Stagecoach 17th October 2020
174 Stagecoach 17th October 2020
212 Go-Ahead London 7th March 2020
230 Go-Ahead London 20th June 2020
357 Go-Ahead London 29th February 2020

I think I've covered all the news for this month but in case I've missed anything I invite you to follow me on Twitter by searching for @CLondoner92 or clicking on the direct link to my Twitter page here, then you will be able to view more transport related news.

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