Optare MetroDecker

The Optare MetroDecker is an integral twin-axle double-decker bus manufactured by Optare. Unveiled in May 2014, 40 have been built, including 4 demonstrators. The bus bears resemblance to the Optare MetroCity, sharing similar interior and exterior features. The MetroDecker was designed as the successor to the Optare Olympus and Scania OmniDekka double-deckers, which were both discontinued in 2011, however unlike these, the MetroDecker is only available in integral form.

Optare MetroDecker
NAT Group MetroDecker in Cardiff in 2016
Overview
ManufacturerOptare
Production2014–present
Body and chassis
Doors1-2
Floor typeLow floor
RelatedOptare 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 metres & 11.1 metres
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
PredecessorScania OmniDekka
Optare Olympus

Optare initially aimed to have MetroDeckers on the streets of London by the end of 2014 and sales of over 100 MetroDeckers within eighteen months of launch; however, this did not occur, with no orders placed until June 2018.[1][2][3]

Propulsion

Diesel

The Metrodecker was launched in 2014 initially with the 4 cylinder Euro VI Mercedes-Benz OM934LA engine with a 6-speed ZF EcoLife transmission fitted.[4][5] The bus is fully integral, making the bus lighter than its predecessors with the body-on-chassis build. There are only four of these out in service, with one of them being converted to electric power a few years later after being built.

EV
Optare MetroDecker EV at Bus Expo 2016

The Battery Electric variant of the bus was released in late 2015, to complement its other vehicle range that already have EV variants. The battery supports 250kW of power with an electric ZF AVE powertrain.[6][7] There are no aesthetic changes to the interior or the exterior. There are over 100 of the type that are in service with an electric range of 160 miles. The first customers of the variant was Metroline. The first non-TFL customer was First York for their York Park and Ride services.

There were also plans for a hybrid-electric variant in mid 2015, but it never materialised with no orders built.[7]

FCEV

Optare and Arcola energy had announced a partnership in April 2020 that would lead to the development of a new type of the bus, named the MetroDecker H2. The bus will be built off using the existing EV platform and will replace the battery power-pack with the hydrogen cell power-pack. Both companies claim with a maximum capacity of 90 passengers that it will have a range between 200 - 250 miles.[8]

Operations

Demonstrator trials

A demonstrator entered service with Reading Buses in December 2015[9] moving to NAT Group in June 2016.[10]

A second demonstrator entered service with First South Yorkshire in June 2016.[11][12] In October 2016, this operated for Go North East, undergoing trials at its Washington (service X1), Riverside (service 10a/10b) and Chester-le-Street (service 21) depots until April 2017.

In August 2016, a third demonstrator built to Transport for London specifications commenced trials with London Central.[13][14][15]

In August 2017, the original 2014 built demonstrator having been converted from diesel to electric power and repainted in Transport for London red livery, commenced a trial with First York.[16][17] It was then trialled by First Leeds.[18][19] In January 2018, it commenced a three month trial with London Central on route 36.[20][21]

In June 2018, Reading Buses placed the first order for five for use on Green Line route 702,[22] which was later cancelled in July 2020.[23] The sole bus that was with them was returned back to Optare.

Orders

London had seen the first confirmed orders of the MetroDecker where it was first ordered in June 2018 with Metroline taking 31 MetroDecker EVs for London Buses route 134.[24][25][26]Then two years later, Tower Transit took an order for 37 of the same type in February 2020 for routes 23 and C3 to be delivered before the end of the year.[27] Go Ahead London also took interest in the type and ordered 17 which would be delivered in May 2021 and be placed on route 200, marking the fifth order of the type since its launch in 2014. [28]

In March 2019, First York ordered 21 MetroDecker EVs for York Park & Ride operations.[29] The buses entered service in July 2020.[30]

References
  1. "Metrodecker: the new London bus". Telegraph.co.uk. 21 May 2014.
  2. Optare MetroDecker launch Bus & Coach Buyer 30 May 2014
  3. Driving the Optare MetroDecker Route One 9 October 2014
  4. "MetroDecker Specification Sheet" (PDF). Optare. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 May 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  5. "Optare MetroDecker launch". Bus & Coach Buyer. 30 May 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  6. "Electric double deckers". www.transportengineer.org.uk. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  7. "Optare MetroDecker launch". Bus & Coach Buyer. 30 May 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  8. "Optare and Arcola Energy Announce Launch of Metrodecker H2". www.arcolaenergy.com. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  9. Optare Metrodecker starts trail with Reading Buses Bus & Coach Professional 11 December 2015
  10. Once upon a time Route One 15 June 2016
  11. Optare MetroDecker trial gets underway with First Bus Bus & Coach Professional 17 June 2016
  12. First's success with pre-production MetroDecker Route One 22 June 2016
  13. Optare Metrodecker commences trial with Reading Buses Optare 11 December 2015
  14. Metrodecker starts operation with Go-Ahead London Optare 18 August 2016
  15. TfL spec Metrodecker starts operation with Go-Ahead London Bus & Coach Professional 19 August 2016
  16. York to trial electric double deck bus ITV News 14 August 2017
  17. First assesses its options for alternative power Route One 16 August 2017
  18. "Optare Wires In" Buses issue 751 October 2017 pages 32-34
  19. "Fleet News" Buses issue 751 October 2017 page 71
  20. "The Big Picture" Coach & Bus Week issue 1326 23 January 2018 page 42
  21. "MD1 at NX" Bus Talk issue 50 February 2018 page 16
  22. "Optare confirms first ever Metrodecker order" Coach & Bus Week issue 1347 19 June 2018 page 6
  23. "Reading Buses announce 33 job losses and cancels Optare double-decker order". ITThub News. 28 July 2020. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  24. 31 Metrodecker EV order for first all-electric double deck routes in London Optare 21 June 2018
  25. "London to have Europe's largest double-decker electric bus fleet". Greater London Authority.
  26. "Europe's largest double-decker fleet on its way to London" Coach & Bus Week issue 1348 26 June 2018 page 6
  27. Deakin, Tim (8 February 2020). "Tower Transit orders 37 Optare Metrodecker EVs". routeone. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  28. "Optare celebrates 5th order for Metrodecker EV". Optare PLC. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  29. "York To Boast One of the Biggest Fleets of Double Deck Electric Buses Outside of London". Optare. 25 March 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  30. "Metrodecker EV's are launched in York!". Optare. 31 July 2020. Retrieved 8 October 2020.

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