Optare has celebrated the handover of a pre-production 10.5m Transport for London (TfL) specification Metrodecker demonstrator vehicle to Go-Ahead London.
The vehicle will embark on a series of extensive trials which will see it put through its paces operating on routes from Go-Ahead’s Bexleyheath bus garage.
Richard Harrington, Engineering Director for Go-Ahead London, commented: “Go-Ahead is committed to taking care of our customers changing needs, today, tomorrow and always, so we are delighted to be able to put the Metrodecker through its paces in London and monitor its performance in terms of reliability, serviceability and fuel efficiency and also gain both customer and driver feedback on this new double deck.”
Robert Drewery, Commercial Director at Optare, said: “Across all trials we have conducted outside of London, we are seeing the vehicle consistently deliver best in class mpg performance in service.
“I am delighted that the Metrodecker will now be setting out to prove itself in the capital. We will be monitoring its performance closely and we look forward to the feedback from Go-Ahead London.”
The Metrodecker, powered by the Mercedes-Benz OM934LA, Euro 6, four cylinder engine with ZF EcoLife transmission, is Optare’s newest addition to its vehicle portfolio. The low floor double-decker is available in two lengths – the two door TfL specification measures in at 10.5m, while the single door provincial specification is 11.1m long.
Go-Ahead London provides nearly a quarter of London’s buses with vehicles travelling 80 million miles annually on over 199 day, night and school routes.
