Alexander Dennis Enviro300

Last updated

Alexander Dennis Enviro300
Minehead Avenue - First 67708 (SN60EAO).JPG
Buses of Somerset second generation Alexander Dennis Enviro300 in Minehead in May 2018
Overview
ManufacturerTransBus International/ Alexander Dennis
Production2001–2008 (1st generation)
2007–2015 (2nd generation)
Assembly Falkirk, Scotland
Body and chassis
Doors1
Floor type Low floor
Low entry
ChassisAlexander Dennis Enviro300
MAN 18.240 and 18.250
Volvo B7RLE
Scania K230UB
Related Enviro200, Enviro350H, Enviro400, Enviro500
Powertrain
Engine Cummins ISBe (Enviro 300/MAN 18.240 retrofits)
MAN D0836 (MAN 18.240)
Volvo D7E (Volvo B7RLE)
Scania DC9/OC9 (Scania K230UB)
Capacity43 to 80 seated
Power output185–250 hp (136–184 kW)
Transmission ZF Ecomat/EcoLife
Voith DIWA
Allison
Dimensions
Length11.8–12.8 m (38 ft 9 in – 42 ft 0 in)
Width2.54 m (8 ft 4 in)
Curb weight 14.4–18 t (14.2–17.7 long tons; 15.9–19.8 short tons)
Chronology
PredecessorBody: Alexander ALX300
Chassis: Dennis Lance
Successor Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMC

The Alexander Dennis Enviro300 (previously known as the TransBus Enviro300) is a light-weight full-size single-decker bus that was built by Alexander Dennis and its predecessor TransBus International between 2001 and 2015. The design was the first of the new Enviro range of buses from TransBus and also the first bus to be built as an integral bus by TransBus.

Contents

The Enviro300 was introduced in order to fill a gap in the manufacturer's product range. At the beginning the Cummins ISBe220 5.9-litre (1.6 US gal) Euro III engine was provided as standard, but for Euro IV and V, the engine was the 6.7-litre (1.8 US gal) ISBe with 225 hp (168 kW) for Euro IV and 225 or 250 hp (168 or 186 kW) for Euro V. There was a choice of 3 gearboxes: ZF Ecomat (originally 5HP502C, then 6HP504C), Allison T280R and Voith DIWA 854.5 (originally DIWA854.3E). The second generation Enviro300, with front end redesigned to match the Enviro200 and Enviro400, was launched in 2007.

Production of the Enviro300 ceased in 2015 with the introduction of a long-wheelbase Enviro200 MMC.

First generation (2001–2008)

First Midland Red 67658.jpg
First Midland Red first generation ADL Enviro300 in September 2005
Travel Surrey 8754 rear.JPG
Travel Surrey first generation TransBus Enviro300 rear in October 2008

Developed from the Alexander ALX300 body, the TransBus Enviro300 was launched in 2001 by TransBus International, becoming the first member of the Enviro range; [1] with the collapse of TransBus in 2004, successors Alexander Dennis took over production and rebranded the Enviro300 as the Alexander Dennis Enviro300. [2] [3] In early 2005, Alexander Dennis launched a 12.5 metres (41 ft) school bus variant, branded as the 'sCOOLbus', capable of seating 60 seatbelted passengers or 54 with the addition of a wheelchair bay in a three-plus-two seating configuration. [4] [5]

A common design was used primarily that the bus has a single-curvature windscreen with a peaked roof dome and a separately mounted destination sign. The bus was developed to compete with the European-built heavy-weight single-decker buses sold in the United Kingdom, the most notable being Volvo. Many full-size (12 m (39 ft) or more) single-decker buses are primarily designed for use on the continent and to carry a large number of standing passengers which is commonplace on the continent, but the Enviro300 was designed solely for the UK market where large numbers of standing passengers are not often carried. TransBus therefore believed that operators could make significant fuel savings by operating light-weight buses and produced a vehicle which is claimed to be lighter than its continental rivals but offer more seating capacity.

The Enviro300 had not sold as well as the manufacturer had hoped, though sales were not helped by the collapse of TransBus International in 2004. The first seven Enviro300s were delivered to Truronian for use on Eden Project shuttle services in 2002. [6] First Midland Red were among the biggest customers for the original Enviro300, purchasing 25 new between 2003 and 2005. [7] A smaller number of original Enviro300s were also sold to the Stagecoach Group, Cardiff Bus and Bus Éireann.

The Enviro300 chassis was also able to be fitted with bodywork by other manufacturers, with Courtney Coaches purchasing East Lancs Esteem bodied examples in 2006. This was the first time the Enviro300 chassis was constructed with bodywork by another manufacturer. [8]

Second generation (2007–2015)

Stagecoach Swindon 22626.JPG
Stagecoach Swindon 22626 rear.JPG
Stagecoach West second generation Enviro300-bodied MAN 18.240 in October 2008

In late 2007 Alexander Dennis introduced a second generation version of Enviro300 which featured styling cues similar to the Enviro200 Dart and the Enviro400. It had a single-piece windscreen covering the destination display (no longer a peaked roof dome similar to the Marshall Capital and the MCV Stirling). In addition to being available as an integral bus, it was also available on MAN 18.240/18.250, Volvo B7RLE and Scania K230UB chassis. [9] [10] The second generation Enviro300 was far more successful sales wise than its predecessor, with Arriva, [11] [12] the FirstGroup and Stagecoach purchasing examples.

The Stagecoach Group standardised on the Enviro300 as its standard full-size single-decker from 2007 until the end of production in 2015, when it was replaced within the group by the full-size Enviro200 MMC. [13] The group first ordered 100 Enviro300 bodied MAN 18.240s in 2007, [14] with the first eight production Enviro300s entering service with Stagecoach in Perth to launch the Stagecoach Goldline bus service in October 2007. [15] Further orders boosted the total number of MAN-chassised Enviro300s operated by Stagecoach Group companies to over 350. Integrally-constructed Enviro300s were distributed across all UK bus operating subsidiaries of Stagecoach, with examples including large numbers delivered to Stagecoach North East for services in Stockton-on-Tees, [16] [17] Stagecoach East Scotland for services in Glenrothes, Kirkcaldy and Perth, [18] [19] and 18 built to revised Stagecoach Gold specification for Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire. [20] [21]

In January 2011, Stagecoach placed an order for 50 Scania K230UBs with Enviro300 bodies. These were followed by further 28 examples between 2012 and 2013, [22] and 28 between 2014 and 2015, [23] including two built to Gold specification for Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire's X4/X5 service. [24]

The FirstGroup were also another customer for the integral second generation Enviro300, albeit in comparatively smaller numbers to Stagecoach. Having ordered 142 integral Enviro300s in 2013, [25] 89 of these were delivered to First Glasgow, [26] [27] 41 were delivered to First Greater Manchester for services in Oldham and Bolton, [28] 23 were delivered to First Aberdeen, [29] and ten were delivered to First Scotland East for a cross-border express service to Carlisle. [30]

In mid-2008, Translink ordered 45 Enviro300 bodied Volvo B7RLEs for its Ulsterbus operation, these being the only Enviro300s to be bodied on this chassis. These were built to a rural specification featuring unique modifications such as narrower entrance doors, a separate wheelchair access door on the nearside, and 55 seatbelted seats arranged in a 2+3 layout. [31]

Alternative fuels

A fleet of ten Enviro300s on MAN 18.240 chassis, which were converted to run on biodiesel produced from tallow and used cooking oil, were delivered to Stagecoach West Scotland for use in Kilmarnock in 2010, replacing older single-deck buses also fuelled by biodiesel. [32]

In April 2013, Reading Buses took delivery of 20 natural gas-powered Enviro300SG buses based on the Scania K270UB chassis. [33] [34] These buses were jointly developed by Alexander Dennis and Scania, who had a demonstrator on loan to other operators from March 2013. [35] Stagecoach North East purchased 40 Enviro300SG bodied Scania K270UBs in 2014 for use on services in Sunderland. [36] [23]

One Enviro300SG was converted by Alexander Dennis to run on biofuel produced from human waste in 2014. Capable of a range of 300 kilometres (190 mi) at maximum capacity, the 'Bio-Bus' was initially loaned to the Bath Bus Company, requiring the installation of a temporary fuelling station at the Bristol Sewage Treatment Works in Avonmouth, before commencing on demonstration duties across the United Kingdom. [37]

A hybrid electric derivative of the integral Enviro300 named the Enviro350H, equipped with BAE Systems hybrid technology used in the Alexander Dennis Enviro400H, was launched by Alexander Dennis in 2010, initially available with Tata Hispano bodywork exclusively for the Continental Europe export market. [38]

2019 recall

On 10 May 2019, the UK Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) issued an instruction to all operators of both the Enviro200 and the Enviro300 to carry out additional safety checks of front and rear suspension components, following several safety concerns raised by the DVSA. A recall of Enviro200s and Enviro300s was announced by Alexander Dennis shortly after the announcement. [39]

Alexander Dennis issued a service kit to operators of affected Enviro300s. Suspension modifications that came with the kit included the fitment of a polyurethane ring to the front suspension's catcher bracket, restricting movement of the front axle if front springs failed in service, while a bolt migration catcher bracket was fitted for the rear suspension to prevent the suspension's anchor bolt from migrating from the joint in the event of failure of the rear suspension. [40]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander Dennis</span> Bus manufacturer based in the United Kingdom

Alexander Dennis is a British bus manufacturing company based in Larbert, Scotland. The largest bus and coach manufacturer in the United Kingdom, with a 50% market share in 2019, it has manufacturing plants and partnerships in Canada, China, Europe, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dennis Dart</span> British rear-engined single-decker midibus

The Dennis Dart is a rear-engined single-decker midibus chassis that was introduced by Dennis of Guildford, England, in 1989, replacing the Dennis Domino. Initially built as a high-floor design, in 1996 the low-floor second generation Dennis Dart SLF was launched. In 2001, production of the Dart SLF passed to TransBus International, during which time it was sold as the TransBus Dart SLF; Alexander Dennis took over production in 2004, renaming the product as the Alexander Dennis Dart SLF.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volvo B7RLE</span> Low-entry single-deck bus chassis

The Volvo B7RLE is a low-entry single-deck bus chassis manufactured by Volvo. It was superseded by the Volvo B8RLE in 2013, with production of the B7RLE continuing until 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander ALX400</span> 2-axle double decker bus body

The Alexander ALX400 is a 2-axle double-decker bus body built by Walter Alexander Coachbuilders. It was one of the ALX-series bodywork, all of which featured the same designs on the front and rear panels that were originally designed for the new generation of mainly low-floor bus chassis produced since the late 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander Dennis Enviro400</span> Low-floor double-decker bus chassis and bodywork

The Alexander Dennis Enviro400 is a twin-axle low-floor double-decker bus that was built by the British bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis between 2005 and 2018. It replaced the Alexander ALX400. In 2014, the Enviro400 was succeeded by the updated Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC and production of the classic Enviro400 ceased in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander Dennis Enviro200</span> British single-deck midibus

The Alexander Dennis Enviro200 is a midibus that was manufactured by TransBus International and later Alexander Dennis between 2003 and 2018. The original TransBus Enviro200 design was innovative but ultimately unsuccessful, with few being sold before the introduction of the second generation Enviro200 revived sales for the product from 2006. It was supposed to be positioned in between a minibus and a rigid single-decker bus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dennis Trident 2</span> 2-axle low-floor double-decker bus

The Dennis Trident 2 is a 2-axle low-floor double-decker bus chassis originally manufactured by Dennis, which was unveiled in 1997 and replaced the Dennis Arrow. It was built by TransBus after Dennis was incorporated into the group in 2001, then from 2004, it was built by Alexander Dennis following the collapse of TransBus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Lancashire Coachbuilders</span> Bus bodywork manufacturer based in Blackburn, England

East Lancashire Coachbuilders Limited was a manufacturer of bus bodies and carriages founded in 1934 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England. The company went into administration for a short while in August 2007, before being bought by Darwen Group and performed a reverse takeover with Optare when its parent purchased the company in 2008 and its site and business was later closed in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southdown PSV</span>

Southdown PSV Limited, which traded as Southdown Buses, was a medium-sized country bus operator, with 18 routes across East Surrey, West Sussex, South London and Kent, 9 of which were school bus routes. Most of their routes were operated on behalf of Surrey County Council, other work included railway replacement services for planned engineering work.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plaxton Elite</span> Step-entrance coach body on Volvo and Scania chassis

The Plaxton Elite is a coach body produced by the British bus and coach manufacturer Plaxton. It is primarily targeted at the premium touring market and went into production in late 2008, replacing Plaxton's pre-existing Paragon and Profile coach bodies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern Counties Palatine</span> Step-entrance double-decker bus body

The Northern Counties Palatine was a step-entrance 2-axle and 3-axle double-decker bus body built by Northern Counties from 1988 to 1999 in Wigan, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Optare Esteem</span> Low-floor single-decker bus body

The Optare Esteem was a low-floor single-decker bus body manufactured by East Lancashire Coachbuilders, Darwen East Lancs and Optare between 2006 and 2009 on Scania N94UB, Scania N230UB, Volvo B7RLE, MAN 12.240, Alexander Dennis Dart SLF, Alexander Dennis Enviro200 Dart and Alexander Dennis Enviro300 chassis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander PS type</span> Step-entrance single-deck bus bodywork

The Alexander PS-type was a step-entrance single-deck bus body built by Walter Alexander Coachbuilders in Falkirk, Scotland and was produced from 1988 to the late 1990s on the Dennis Lance, Mercedes-Benz O405, Scania N113 and Volvo B10M chassis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plaxton Pointer</span> Single-deck midibus body on Dennis and Volvo chassis

The Plaxton Pointer is a single-deck midibus body that was manufactured between 1991 and 2006, predominantly on the Dennis Dart chassis, by Reeve Burgess, Plaxton and latterly Alexander Dennis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander Strider</span> Step-entrance full-size single-deck bus body

The Alexander Strider was a single-decker bus body produced by Walter Alexander Coachbuilders between 1993 and 1997. The body was available on Dennis Lance, Scania L113, Scania N113, Volvo B10B and Volvo B10M chassis. A common feature of the Strider body is that it has either a single-curvature windscreen or a double-curvature windscreen with a rounded roof dome and a separately mounted destination display.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volvo B5LH</span> Motor vehicle

The Volvo B5LH is a low-floor hybrid electric bus chassis for both single-decker buses and double-decker buses manufactured by Volvo since 2008. It is the basis for Volvo's integral 7700 Hybrid full low floor city bus and its successor, the 7900 Hybrid from 2011. In 2008, pre-production batches of both types of chassis were manufactured. Serial production started in June 2010. From 2013 it is also available as an articulated bus chassis. First entering service in London, the B5LH is the only current double decker type in service in the United Kingdom that uses a parallel hybrid drive system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMC</span> Single-decker bus produced since 2014

The Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMC, also marketed as the Alexander Dennis Enviro200, is a single-decker city bus produced by Alexander Dennis since 2014 as the successor to the Enviro200 midibus and Enviro300 full-size bus. The first Enviro200 MMCs entered service with National Express West Midlands in 2015. Notably, Enviro200 MMCs have been modified by Fusion Processing to be used as the basis for the first driverless bus trials in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC</span> Low-floor double-decker bus

The Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC is a low-floor double-decker bus produced by the British bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis since 2014, replacing the Alexander Dennis Enviro400. The Enviro400 MMC is produced at Alexander Dennis' Falkirk and Scarborough factories in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander Dennis Enviro400 City</span> British-built model of double-decker bus, built since 2014

The Alexander Dennis Enviro400 City is a low-floor double-decker bus produced by the British bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis since 2015, as an alternative to the standard Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC bodywork. The Enviro400 City is produced at Alexander Dennis' Falkirk and Scarborough factories in the United Kingdom. It is available as a complete integral diesel or hybrid bus, as well as the Enviro400EV complete integral battery electric bus or Scania N280UD compressed natural gas-powered chassis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander Dennis Enviro200EV</span> Battery electric single-deck bus

The Alexander Dennis Enviro200EV is a battery electric single-deck bus produced by the British bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis in partnership with Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD Auto since 2015.

References

  1. ↑ "New medium-weight models attack big-bus market". Bus & Coach Professional. October 2001. Archived from the original on 9 August 2002. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  2. ↑ "Our History". Alexander Dennis. Archived from the original on 29 July 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  3. ↑ "News from Coach and Bus 2003". Bus & Coach Professional. 10 October 2003. Archived from the original on 29 July 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  4. ↑ Roden, Andy (3 February 2005). "Lowfloor school bus launched". Coach & Bus Week . No. 664. Peterborough: Emap. pp. 10–11. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  5. ↑ "ADL schoolbus on tour". Bus & Coach Professional. 27 May 2005. Archived from the original on 29 July 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  6. ↑ "First new-generation Enviro 300s enter service". Coach & Bus Week. No. 542. Peterborough: Emap. 12 September 2002. Archived from the original on 4 November 2002. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  7. ↑ "Midland Red West (First Midland Red) Alexander Dennis Enviro300 - Overview". MidlandRed.net. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  8. ↑ Lidstone, John G. (September 2006). "Fleet News England & Wales". Buses . No. 618. Hersham: Ian Allan Publishing. p. 46.
  9. ↑ "ADL makes new links with MAN and Scania". Bus & Coach Professional. 30 January 2007. Archived from the original on 29 July 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  10. ↑ "Alexander Dennis Enviro 300 on ADL, MAN or Volvo Chassis". Busworld. Roeselare. 7 January 2008. Archived from the original on 26 July 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  11. ↑ "ADL wins big share of £63 million Arriva order". Bus & Coach Professional. 19 June 2008. Retrieved 29 July 2018.[ permanent dead link ]
  12. ↑ "Arriva places £70 million order". Bus & Coach Professional. 20 November 2008. Retrieved 29 July 2018.[ permanent dead link ]
  13. ↑ "Stagecoach makes £80m new coach and bus order". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. 16 March 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  14. ↑ "Stagecoach orders 444 new buses". Bus & Coach Professional. 28 February 2007. Archived from the original on 29 July 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  15. ↑ "New-look Enviro for Stagecoach Goldline route". Bus & Coach Professional. 31 October 2007. Archived from the original on 5 November 2007. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  16. ↑ "Stagecoach North East launches 'Zone' branded Envrio300s". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. 10 November 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  17. ↑ "Stagecoach North East unveils first of 17 new ADL Enviro300s". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. 21 September 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  18. ↑ "10 new Enviro300s for Stagecoach Perth". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. 18 August 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  19. ↑ "Enviro300s for Stagecoach East Scotland". Bus & Coach Buyer. 11 September 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  20. ↑ "New Gold fleet for Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. 23 November 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  21. ↑ "Stagecoach Gold in Cheshire". Bus & Coach Buyer. 18 November 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  22. ↑ "£60million Stagecoach order". Bus & Coach Professional. 20 February 2012. Archived from the original on 10 October 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  23. 1 2 "Stagecoach makes record-breaking £100m coach and bus fleet order". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. 6 March 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  24. ↑ "Stagecoach goes Gold in Cumbria". Bus & Coach Buyer. 30 September 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  25. ↑ "Significant new bus order from First". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. 20 February 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  26. ↑ Challen, John (16 May 2013). "Multi-million pound Enviro 300 bus order from First Glasgow". Transport Engineer. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  27. ↑ "First invests £5m in Lanarkshire". Bus & Coach Buyer. 12 March 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  28. ↑ "Enviro300s for Bolton". Bus & Coach Buyer. 11 July 2013. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  29. ↑ Challen, John (1 July 2013). "First Aberdeen adds 23 more ADL hybrid buses". Transport Engineer. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  30. ↑ "First rolls out more Wi-Fi". Bus & Coach Buyer. 11 July 2013. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  31. ↑ "Latest orders maintain Volvo's market leading position in city buses" (Press release). Volvo Buses United Kingdom & Ireland. 4 November 2008. Retrieved 17 July 2024. A second Volvo B7RLE is displayed on the stand, this time Euro 5 compliant and featuring the ADL Enviro 300 bodywork, which forms part of an order for 45 vehicles for Translink, It has 55 seats with 3&2 seating in the rear section.
  32. ↑ West, Karl (9 January 2011). "All aboard the chip fat bus" . Sunday Times . London. p. 11. Retrieved 17 July 2024– via General OneFile.
  33. ↑ "Reading Buses places major order for 19 ADL Enviro300 Scania gas-powered buses". Intelligent Transport. 29 August 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  34. ↑ "Scania/ADL gas buses arrive in Reading". Bus & Coach Professional. 26 April 2013. Archived from the original on 29 July 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  35. ↑ "Scania-ADL set to launch gas-powered demonstrator vehicle". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. 6 March 2013. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  36. ↑ "Stagecoach launches gas fleet in Sunderland". Bus & Coach Buyer. 26 February 2014. Archived from the original on 9 March 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  37. ↑ "Poo bus goes on the road". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. 24 November 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  38. ↑ "ADL aims for Europe with 19 tonne hybrid". Bus & Coach Professional. 17 November 2010. Archived from the original on 18 January 2013. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  39. ↑ "DVSA issues guidance over Enviro200 and 300 safety concerns". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. 14 May 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  40. ↑ "ADL address E200, E300 suspension difficulties". routeone. 14 May 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2024.

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Alexander Dennis Enviro300 at Wikimedia Commons

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.