Metroline is the first operator in England to take substantial delivery of the Alexander Dennis Enviro400 double deck, for use on its Transport for London route 24 (Hampstead Heath – Pimlico). More on that special route, the 24, in the week.
Could the Enviro400 be the new, post-Routemaster London bus icon? The capital is searching for one such, and this could be it. Not, of course, that you can expect too many E400s, as the city’s already saturated with relatively new double deck stock. Few would argue in favour of that unloved Routemaster-replacement, the Mercedes Citaro bendy bus, of which there are some 300 in London service, as there’s a certain amount of animosity towards them. OK, downright hostility.
Two things are in the Enviro400’s favour: it’s a traditional British double deck (i.e. not an atypical continental articulated) & it looks strikingly different from others on the streets. In other words, it’s instantly recognisable.
There’s no doubt that the E400’s a fresh design. With its raked front and curved upper windscreen, it proves that with imagination and modern construction the double deck can be more than a steel & glass box. Its sexy design – with curves in *all* the right places – makes its predecessor, the Alexander ALX400 body, look incredibly tired, yet ALX400s are still available, just, as 06 registrations. And ADL’s designers will have half an eye on Wright’s successful Eclipse Gemini double deck body, which has been doing rather well at ADL’s (and Transbus’) expense.
And the Enviro400 manages to squeeze a further nine passengers in the lower deck – important when you consider that low floor deck tend to offer limited below-stairs accommodation and that older people don’t always want to climb.
Enviro400’s fully EuroIV compliant, too.
Incredibly, it’s home-designed by the ADL stable, one that could’ve so easily collapsed with Transbus, in 2004. Remember that the re-formed ADL’s been in existence only since January 2005.
28 E400s were ordered by Metroline to work the route 24, from Holloway garage. Stagecoach has ordered 130 and Go Ahead 40. Stagecoach East London has one working Enviro400 – fittingly named “Spirit of London”. As a new design for double decks, it is the direct replacement for the 7 July 2005 bombed bus on route 30.
With grateful thanks to the London Bus Page for additional information
Monday, 24 April 2006
Iconic Bus?
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5 comments:
There's nothing iconic about any London bus, any more, except for those on the 9 and 15!
Agreed, the ALX400 looks old these days. Agreed, too, with Bloggs that the RML is irreplaceable as a TfL icon. If it's to be anything, it should be the Wright Eclipse Gemini.
But why not design something totally unique for London, the tenderers should be required to buy, upon being awarded a contract?
Do not think you will ever see a specific London bus design again, Anonymous. Market isn't large enough. Anyway, current SLFs all do the job. Just a pity the Routemaster couldn't, as well
Nice try mate! Sorry, but it doesn't wash!!
What is it about the Routemaster. People couldn't wait to get rid of 40 year old slam door trains, but you want to keep a 40 year old bus on the road. No thanks.
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