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Switch Metrodecker

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Switch Metrodecker
NAT Group MetroDecker in Cardiff in 2016
Overview
ManufacturerSwitch Mobility
Production2014–present
Body and chassis
Doors1-2
Floor typeLow floor
RelatedSwitch Metrocity
Powertrain
EngineMercedes-Benz OM934LA
250kW Full Electric
Capacity63 - 84 seated
TransmissionZF EcoLife 6AP 1000B 6-speed
ZF AVE 130 hub motor axle
Dimensions
Length10.5 m (34 ft 5 in) & 11.1 m (36 ft 5 in)
Width2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
Height4.31 m (14 ft 2 in)
Curb weight9.98 tonnes (9.82 long tons; 11.00 short tons)
Chronology
PredecessorOptare OmniDekka
Optare Olympus

The Switch Metrodecker (formerly known as the Optare MetroDecker) is an integral twin-axle double-decker bus produced by British bus manufacturer Switch Mobility since 2014. The bus bears resemblance to the Switch Metrocity, sharing similar interior and exterior features. The MetroDecker was designed as the successor to the Optare Olympus and Optare OmniDekka double-deckers, which were both discontinued in 2011, however unlike these, the MetroDecker is only available in integral form.

Switch Mobility, then known as Optare, initially aimed to have MetroDeckers in service in London by the end of 2014 and sales of over 100 MetroDeckers within eighteen months of launch; this did not occur, with no orders placed until June 2018.[1][2][3]

Variants

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Metrodecker

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The Metrodecker was launched by Optare in 2014 initially with the 4 cylinder Euro VI Mercedes-Benz OM934LA engine with a 6-speed ZF EcoLife transmission fitted. The bus is built on an integral Optare chassis, making the bus lighter than its body-on-chassis predecessors.[2]

In June 2018, Reading Buses placed the first order for five diesel Metrodeckers with high specification interiors for use on Green Line route 702, following a period of demonstration.[4][5] Due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Reading Buses cancelled the order in July 2020.[6]

Three pre-production demonstrators were built by Optare for bus operators to trial around the United Kingdom. Two of these entered service with First South Yorkshire,[7] Go North East and the NAT Group,[8] and a demonstrator built to Transport for London specification commenced trials with Go-Ahead London in August 2016.[9] None of these demonstration periods resulted in orders for the diesel Metrodecker.

Metrodecker EV

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London Transit Optare MetroDecker EV on route 23 at Marble Arch in September 2022

The Switch Metrodecker EV battery electric bus was launched in late 2015, complementing Optare's single decker range which already had battery electric variants. The battery supports 250 kW of power with an electric ZF AxTrax AVE powertrain, resulting in an electric range of 160 miles (260 km).[10][2] A hybrid electric variant was announced by Optare during the initial launch of the MetroDecker in 2015, however no orders materialised.[2]

The first Metrodecker order for a Transport for London operator came in 2019 when 31 Metrodecker EVs were delivered to Metroline for operation on route 134.[11][12] 37 Metrodecker EVs were later delivered to Tower Transit in November 2020 for operation on routes 23 and C3,[13][14][15] and Go-Ahead London ordered 17 Metrodecker EVs for delivery in May 2021 for operation on route 200.[16]

In March 2019, First York ordered 21 Metrodecker EVs for the city's rebranded York Park & Ride operations. The first of these buses entered service from July 2020.[17][18]

MetroDecker H2

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The Optare MetroDecker H2 fuel cell bus was announced by Optare in partnership with Arcola Energy in April 2020. The MetroDecker H2 is based on existing EV platform, utilising Arcola's A-Drive hydrogen fuel cell electric powertrain with a claimed range of up to 250 miles (400 km). Optare aims to establish an export market aimed at countries within a humid subtropical climate requiring use of air conditioning for the MetroDecker H2, however orders are yet to be placed by potential operators.[19][20][21]

Incidents

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A major fire in May 2022 that destroyed six buses at Metroline's Potters Bar garage, two of which were Metrodecker EVs, caused Switch Mobility to order all Metrodecker EVs to be taken out of service for safety precautions.[22] An investigation into the Potters Bar fire found that a conductive coolant had inadvertently been added to the battery system of a Metrodecker EV instead of a non-conductive one, and the buses returned to service later that month.[23][24]

A Metrodecker EV operated by Go-Ahead London caught fire on 11 January 2024 while operating route 200 in Wimbledon, with the cause for the fire under investigation by the operator.[25]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Clancy, Rebecca (21 May 2014). "Metrodecker: the new London bus". The Telegraph. London. Retrieved 13 January 2022.(subscription required)
  2. ^ a b c d "Optare MetroDecker launch". Bus & Coach Buyer. 30 May 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  3. ^ Deakin, Tim (9 October 2014). "Driving the Optare MetroDecker". RouteOne. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  4. ^ "Optare confirms first ever Metrodecker order". Coach & Bus Week. No. 1347. Peterborough: Emap. 19 June 2018. p. 6. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  5. ^ "First ever order for Optare Metrodecker". Bus & Coach Buyer. Peterborough. 17 June 2018. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  6. ^ "Reading Buses announce 33 job losses and cancels Optare double-decker order". ITThub News. 28 July 2020. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  7. ^ "Optare MetroDecker trial gets underway with First Bus". Bus & Coach Professional. 17 June 2016. Archived from the original on 4 February 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  8. ^ "Once upon a time". RouteOne. 15 June 2016. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  9. ^ "TfL spec Metrodecker starts operation with Go-Ahead London". Bus & Coach Professional. 19 August 2016. Archived from the original on 4 February 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  10. ^ Dalrymple, Will (4 June 2019). "Electric double deckers". Transport Engineer. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  11. ^ Crawford, Alex (21 August 2019). "Metroline is first to deploy Optare Metrodecker EV". RouteOne. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  12. ^ "Electric Metrodeckers enter service with Metroline". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough: Emap. 20 August 2019. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  13. ^ Deakin, Tim (8 February 2020). "Tower Transit orders 37 Optare Metrodecker EVs". RouteOne. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  14. ^ Peat, Chris (18 December 2020). "Tower Transit's Metrodecker EVs hit London's roads". Bus & Coach Buyer. Peterborough. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  15. ^ "Tower Transit's Optare Metrodecker EVs hit the road". Buses. Stamford: Key Publishing. 17 December 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  16. ^ "Go-Ahead London places Metrodecker EV order". RouteOne. 18 November 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  17. ^ Lewis, Haydn (30 July 2020). "Biggest zero emissions bus fleet in UK launched in York". The Press. York. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  18. ^ "Optare Metrodecker EV fleet makes debut with First York". RouteOne. 30 July 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  19. ^ "Optare and Arcola announce fuel cell Metrodecker H2". RouteOne. 28 April 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  20. ^ "Arcola A-Drive fuel cell platform to power Metrodecker H2". RouteOne. 27 November 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  21. ^ Hampel, Carrie (29 April 2020). "Optare launches H2 fuel cell double-decker bus". electrive. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  22. ^ Peat, Chris (23 May 2022). "Electric Metrodeckers grounded following fire". Bus & Coach Buyer. Peterborough. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  23. ^ "22 May Fire at Metroline's Potters Bar Bus Depot (3)". www.london.gov.uk. London City Hall. 23 June 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  24. ^ "Bus Fires (1)". www.london.gov.uk. London City Hall. 23 June 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  25. ^ Peat, Chris (11 January 2024). "Go-Ahead London urgently investigating electric bus fire". Bus & Coach Buyer. Peterborough. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
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