Optare has announced that it is to supply Tower Transit Group with 37 MetroDecker EVs for the launch of two new electric routes in London. Tower Transit was awarded the contract for routes C3 and 23 by Transport for London in November 2019, and the routes will operate out of the operator’s Westbourne Park garage. The routes will be Tower Transit’s first battery-electric operation.
Designed and built at Optare’s facility in Sherburn, near Leeds, the MetroDecker EV entered service in summer 2019. Tower Transit’s order is the third major order for the MetroDecker EV in just over a year, and the second order for the capital. By the end of 2020, 100 are estimated to be in service.
Optare’s Chief Executive Officer, Graham Belgum, said “I am proud to see the MetroDecker EV consolidate its position in London with a second order on a further two routes. This commitment is testament to the capability of the vehicle. The partnership with Tower Transit has been developed through the tender process and we are now working closely together to deliver the customer’s specification. We look forward to a successful roll out later this year.”
Tower Transit Group’s Engineering Director, Satnam Cheema, said: “Tower Transit’s win of routes 23 and C3 was based on a comprehensive study of EV operations and the technology available. We were impressed by the performance of the MetroDecker EV demonstrator during trials. The bus also enhanced our bid by offering a straightforward charging solution at our Westbourne Park garage. We are confident of a successful launch and we intend to use the experience gained to win further EV routes in London.”
Both routes will launch in the 3rd Quarter of 2020. The 37 MetroDecker EVs are expected to save more than 1,800 tonnes in greenhouse gas well-to-wheel emissions in each year of operation versus a Euro VI bus.
