Switch Metrocity | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Manufacturer | Switch Mobility |
Production | 2013–present |
Body and chassis | |
Doors | 1 or 2 |
Floor type | Low floor |
Powertrain | |
Engine |
|
Capacity | 22–44 seated |
Transmission | Allison 2100 |
Dimensions | |
Length | 9.9, 10.1, 10.6, 10.8 & 11.52 metres |
Width | 2.47 metres |
Height | 2.85 metres |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | Optare Tempo SR |
The Switch Metrocity (formerly known as the Optare MetroCity) is an integral midibus manufactured by Switch Mobility since 2013. Originally aimed at the London market, the Metrocity is based on the Optare Versa which was introduced in 2009. In the UK market, longer variants of the Metrocity have replaced the Optare Tempo SR. As at August 2018, over 250 had been built. [1]
The first prototype Optare MetroCity was delivered to London United. The MetroCity is available in five lengths, with the V990MC, V1010MC, V1060MC, V1080MC and V1152MC models measuring 9.9m, 10.1m, 10.6m, 10.8m and 11.52m long respectively. The shorter models were designed to replace the Optare Solo SR in London, while the longer models were to replace the Optare Versa and Optare Tempo SR in the London market. Although the Solo SR and Versa remain in production, the Tempo SR has now been entirely discontinued in the UK market with the introduction of the MetroCity due to poor sales.
An electric version is available, named the Metrocity EV, using a 150 kW Magtec motor. In London, four entered service with London United in July 2014 on route H98, [2] while nine entered service with Arriva London on route 312 in September 2015. [3] [4] Twelve entered service in August 2023 with Stagecoach London on route 339. [5]
A Switch Metrodecker EV equipped with Fusion Processing CAVstar autonomous technology entered service with First Berkshire & The Thames Valley on a month-long trial on a service operating between Didcot Parkway railway station and the Milton Park business and technology park in September 2023. [6]
London United were the launch customer for the MetroCity, taking delivery of four examples in April 2014. These were followed in May 2014 by twelve for Quality Line, who was the largest operator of the type in London until their closure in 2021. [7] Two MetroCity EVs were delivered to Arriva London in November 2014, followed by a further seven in August 2015. [8]
Other large orders have been made by New Adventure Travel, who received thirty diesel MetroCities, [9] and West Coast Motors, who purchased eleven between 2016 and 2017. [10] [11]
In September 2017, Tranzit Group ordered 114 for use in Wellington. [12] [13] [14]
Switch Mobility is a British bus manufacturer based in Sherburn-in-Elmet, North Yorkshire. It is a subsidiary of Indian company Ashok Leyland. The company is responsible for the EV operations of the group with Ashok Leyland focusing on its core business of diesel-powered vehicles as well as work on alternative fuels like compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG) and hydrogen.
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, Dennis Trident and Plaxton President. In 2014, the Enviro400 was succeeded by the updated Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC and production of the classic Enviro400 ceased in 2018.
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The Switch Solo is a low-floor minibus/midibus with one or two doors manufactured by Switch Mobility in the United Kingdom since 1998. The Solo name is a play on its low-floor status, the manufacturer marketing its vehicle as having an entrance that is "so low" from the floor, namely 200 mm (8 in) with kneeling suspension. In January 2012, Optare announced the end of production for the original Solo design with a modified Solo SR taking over.
The Optare Spectra was a double-decker bus body built on both the step entrance DAF DB250 and low-floor DB250LF chassis between 1991 and 2006.
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The Optare Tempo is an integral low-floor, heavy duty, full-size rigid single-deck bus manufactured by Optare and was launched in late 2004. It is marketed and sold as the replacement for the Optare Excel. It is designed as a lightweight bus, to use less fuel than traditional heavy duty integral rigids. As of July 2017, 233 had been built, including 27 Tempo SRs. The Tempo SR has now been replaced in the UK market by longer variants of the Optare MetroCity, although production of the Tempo SR continues for the Australian market.
The Optare Versa is a low-floor midibus that was manufactured by Optare at its Sherburn-in-Elmet factory. In total 883 were produced between 2007 and 2018.
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The Switch 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.
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.
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The Switch E1 is a low-floor single-decker electric bus produced by Switch Mobility since 2022. The E1 is the first vehicle to be introduced by Switch Mobility since their rebranding from Optare, and replaces the discontinued Optare Tempo SR and Optare Versa in their product range.
Media related to Optare MetroCity at Wikimedia Commons