Why the Wrightbus SRM failed and Alexander Dennis’ Enviro400 City is gaining success

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.

The SRM has only been sold in two drivelines which are the Volvo B5LH and B5LHC. Yet other bus operators (in London and elsewhere) haven’t shown much interest using the SRM for their services.

London bus tender awards for mid August 2019 and pure electric double-deck bus for Reading Buses

TfL has recently revealed the new London bus tender awards and Abellio have won nearly all the new contracts.

TfL changes New Routemaster Route 8 boarding to front door only

TfL have announced plans to change the boarding of the three-door two-staircase New Routemaster buses to front door entry to ensure passengers pay their fare by the driver.

London bus tender awards for late July 2019

TfL has recently announced new contract awards for their London bus services.

One of the notable routes mentioned is the 25 which TfL awarded the new contract to Stagecoach London.

2019 London Buses fleet list and Big Red Book

Transport for London has released the bus fleet audit report and the London Bus fleet list on their website.

A brief mention from the London Bus Fleet Audit report:

Opinion: Design criticisms of Wrightbus Gemini 3 and SRM

This is more of an 'essay' type article because I have some criticisms with the design of the Wrightbus double deck products such as the Gemini 3 and SRM. I have criticised the Wrightbus double deck products in my previous articles and therefore I will lay out my ideas which could possibly inspire the manufacturer to make changes.

Double Deck Hydrogen buses for Aberdeen, Scotland

As Liverpool and London authorities purchased double deck hydrogen buses for their services, the news has come that Aberdeen will be getting double deck hydrogen buses, jointly funded by Aberdeen City Council, European Union (FCH JU) and Scottish Government.

Extracts from Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking news release

The new additions to the hydrogen fleet will underline the city’s role as a pioneer in green energy.

The contract which was signed this month will deliver 15 city buses. The project has been funded by Aberdeen City Council, European Union (FCH JU) and Scottish Government with an investment of about £500k per vehicle, building on the initial research funding contributed by the Scottish Cities Alliance.

Electric bus types revealed for London bus routes 94, C10 & P5

Hot off the press is the news that RATP-Dev placed an order for 29 of the Alexander Dennis BYD Enviro400EV for use on their London Buses Route 94 contract.

Extracts from Alexander Dennis

Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) and BYD Europe jointly announced today that the companies’ electric vehicle partnership, which delivers the leading UK electric bus, has already topped 100 double deck bus sales. ADL is a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. (NFI), one of the world’s largest independent global bus manufacturers and BYD is a global leader in batteries and electric buses.

The zero emission 'New Routemaster spin-off' Enviro400EV City finally entered service on London Buses Route 43

Finally, after a very long wait, the spin-off of the New Routemaster, the pure electric Enviro400EV City which is jointly manufactured by Alexander Dennis and BYD has entered in to service on London Bus route 43 as of 1st July 2019.

Bus designs have evolved to reflect similarity to the New Routemaster bus and I’d like to say a new chapter has started with the iconic Enviro400 City which has gone pure electric.

According to London Vehicle Finder, the first five of the BYD Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV City entered service on route 43 on 1st July 2019 - here's the mini fleet list.

London Bus tender awards for late June 2019

This is a quick news update about London Bus services.

Recently I mentioned that London Bus route 67 converted to New Routemaster operation as part of the Central London bus reshaping plan; the new tender awards have revealed Arriva London lost the route 67 contract to Go-Ahead London General.