Alexander Dennis Enviro500 MMC
Citybus first generation Enviro500 MMC in January 2014
Overview
ManufacturerAlexander Dennis
Production2012–present
Body and chassis
Doors2 or 3 doors
Floor typeLow floor
ChassisAlexander Dennis Enviro500 (a.k.a. Trident E500 Turbo)
RelatedAlexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC
Powertrain
EngineCummins ISLe/ISL/ISBe/L9
Mercedes-Benz OM936
Power output280hp/330hp/340hp/380hp (Cummins)
349hp (Mercedes-Benz)
TransmissionVoith DIWA
Allison B500R
ZF EcoLife
Dimensions
Length11.3, 12.0, 12.5 and 12.8 metres
Width2.50, 2.545 and 2.55 metres
Height3.9, 4.1, 4.2, and 4.4 metres
Chronology
PredecessorAlexander Dennis Enviro500

The Alexander Dennis Enviro500 MMC (sold as the Alexander Dennis Enviro500) is a low-floor, three-axle double-decker bus produced by the British bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis since 2012, replacing the Alexander Dennis Enviro500. The Enviro500 MMC is available powered by either Euro VI diesel or hybrid-electric and later fully-electric powertrains.

Design

Citybus's Enviro500 MMC hybrid energy bus.

In 2012, Alexander Dennis unveiled a new generation Enviro500 (also known as the Enviro500 MMC[1]) with a new chassis design. The chassis (also known as the Trident E500 Turbo[2] and E50D/E50H) had the longitudinally-mounted engine and gearbox slightly offset to the left. The Cummins ISLe engine was retained, with choices of ZF EcoLife and Voith DIWA gearbox. Like the Enviro400 with straight staircase, the shape of fuel tank was specifically adopted to be mounted under the staircase. All the axles utilised were supplied by ZF instead of Dana.

The bodywork was also redesigned, with a more angular front-end design based on the Hong Kong version of the Enviro400. It has a new design of staircase known by Alexander Dennis as the "Square-Case", whose size was similar to that of the spiral staircase but with all steps being rectangular shaped.

A hybrid-electric version of this bus model with a Cummins ISBe engine and the BAE Systems HybriDrive series hybrid system had been built in small numbers.[3]

New bodywork

Kowloon Motor Bus' Enviro500EV in 2023

Later in 2014, Alexander Dennis unveiled the second generation Enviro500 MMC in North America, with a new design of bodywork similar with the Enviro400 MMC launched earlier that year, featuring rounded top edges and a vertically oriented headlamp cluster. This bodywork design was also adopted by the Enviro500s built for Hong Kong since 2015.

Two versions of the new bodywork Enviro500 have been developed for the North American market:[4] the standard 4.1 m (13 ft 5+3⁄8 in) height model with a length of 12.9 m (42 ft 3+7⁄8 in), and a new, lower-height 3.9 m (12 ft 9+1⁄2 in) Super-Lo variant with a longer length of 13.8 m (45 ft 3+1⁄4 in), designed for high-capacity, interurban transport.[5]

Alexander Dennis announced the launch of the Enviro500EV battery electric bus in 2021, initially launched for the North American market as the Enviro500EV CHARGE. The Enviro500EV, seating 130 passengers and sharing components with the 2-axle Enviro400FCEV developed for the UK market, is equipped with a 648 kWh battery and will feature a refreshed exterior design in line with both the UK market's Enviro400EV and Enviro100EV buses.[6][7] The first production Enviro500EV was delivered to Kowloon Motor Bus of Hong Kong as part of an order for ten of the type in April 2023.[8]

Orders

Asia and Oceania

Hong Kong

Citybus

Citybus ordered one new generation Enviro500 in 2011 – 8320 (in conjunction with the 115 older Enviro500), soon followed by further order of 155. 107 of these were for the 12-metre-long version, including 66 fitted with airport coach specifications (8000-8065) while the rest were standard passenger buses (8321-8360). The other 49 were 11.3-metres-long (9100-9148). The first 4 airport coaches entered service in March 2013 and in 2014. Citybus ordered a further 104 new generation Enviro500s which were all the 12-metre long (39 ft 4+1⁄2 in) version and possess a high seating capacity for 90 passengers, 8361 to 8399 and 8402 to 8466. In mid 2014, Citybus received a 12.8-metre long (41 ft 11+7⁄8 in) Enviro500 demonstrator, 6300, and became the second operator in Hong Kong after KMB to receive such a model.[9] Later that year, the operator received 2 hybrid versions of the Enviro500, 8400 and 8401, becoming the third operator of such a type in Hong Kong.[3]

Kowloon Motor Bus

A Kowloon Motor Bus second generation Enviro500 MMC in June 2020
A Kowloon Motor Bus Enviro500EV in May 2023

Kowloon Motor Bus ordered 329 new generation Enviro500 in 2012, with the first bus exhibited at the Euro Bus Expo 2012 at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham and delivered in February 2013.

Placement of subsequent orders increased the total to over 2200, including 1652 12-metre Euro V version (ATENU), 222 12.8-metre Euro V version (3ATENU), two 12-metre Euro VI version (E6T), 301 12.8-metre Euro VI version (E6X), and 101 11.3-metre Euro VI version (E6M).

Kowloon Motor Bus were the first bus operator in Hong Kong to order the battery electric Enviro500EV, ordering a batch of ten buses for delivery in 2023. When completed, these will be the first zero emissions Alexander Dennis buses developed for the Asia-Pacific market.[7]

Hybrid buses

In 2014, KMB received three hybrid version Enviro500 (ATH1-ATH3) as the first hybrid electric double-deckers received by the company.[3]

Long Win Bus

Long Win Bus ordered 22 new generation Enviro500 in 2012, with a further 19 buses diverted from KMB order and follow by another 6 buses. In 2014, LWB placed a further order of 26 new generation Enviro500 with airport coach specification. A further batch of 91 was ordered in 2015 including 40 12-metre buses and 51 12.8-metre and another batch of 62 more was ordered in 2016 with 50 12-metre buses and 12 12.8-metre.

Due to a surplus in Long Win's fleet, 16 of the first batch of buses have been transferred to KMB in 2020.

MTR Bus

MTR Bus ordered 6 11.3-metre-long new generation Enviro500 in 2012, which were delivered and entered service in 2013. Before the 6 new generation Enviro500 were registered, MTR ordered more 28 11.3-metre-long new generation Enviro500 which were delivered and entered service in 2014 and 2015. Then 8 more delivered and entered service in 2017 and 2018.

MTR Bus have ordered a number of battery electric Enviro500EVs, the second Hong Kong operator to do so, which are to be delivered in 2023.[10][11]

New World First Bus

NWFB Enviro500 MMC with Euro VI engine

New World First Bus ordered 12 new generation Enviro500 in 2013, they are all 11.3-metre-long version. The buses (4040-4051) were in service between 2013 and 2014.

In 2014, NWFB ordered another 87 Enviro500 (5583-5669), all of them were 12-metre-long version. One hybrid-powered Enviro500 (fleet no. 5600) was also received in the same year, becoming the second operator receiving hybrid version.[3]

In 2016, NWFB received further 50 more 12-metre-long Enviro500 (5670-5719) followed by 76 more 12.8-metre-long Enviro500 (6100-6175) and another 40 more 11.3-metre-long version (4052-4091) in 2017, but with restyled front and rear.

In 2017, NWFB received 30 second-hand 12-metre-long Enviro500s from Citybus, with new fleet numbers from 5720 to 5749 (originally 8361 to 8390). It also received 22 12.8-metre-long Enviro500 (6176-6197) between 2017 and 2018.

In 2018, NWFB received further 90 12-metre-long Enviro500s (5750-5839) and 12 12.8-metre-long Enviro500(6198-6209) with Euro VI engine.

A further 12 (Fleet numbers 5840–5851) were transferred from Citybus (Original Fleet Numbers 8525–8536) in 2020.

CLP Group

CLP Group ordered one Enviro500 to replace one old version Enviro500 written off after an accident. It was delivered in late 2015.

Singapore

A first generation Enviro500 MMC by SMRT Buses

SMRT Buses

SMRT Buses initially ordered 103 Enviro500 double deckers for delivery in 2014 but the order was expanded to 201 in total, with an additional 98 buses to be used for Land Transport Authority (LTA)'s Bus Service Enhancement Programme (BSEP).[12] On Sunday 13 July 2014, the first 3 double decker buses made their debut on Bus Service 972.[13]

Bus Contracting Model (BCM)

As part of the Bus Contracting Model, some of the Enviro500s were transferred to Tower Transit Singapore under the Bulim bus package in May 2016. Some of these buses were repainted into the lush green livery. More units of Enviro500s were transferred to Tower Transit under the Sembawang-Yishun Bus Package in September and October 2021.

A facelifted Enviro500 MMC with 3 doors operated by SMRT Buses

A mock-up of restyled 13-metre long (42 ft 7+3⁄4 in) Enviro500 MMC concept bus with 3 doors and 2 staircases was also built for the Land Transport Authority.[14]

On 25 April 2019, the Land Transport Authority announced[15] that they had awarded the tender to Alexander Dennis (Singapore) Services Pte. Ltd to procure 50 units of three-door Enviro500s after successful trials of the 3 door concept bus.

On 26 October 2021, the first three-door Enviro500s of the batch of 50 entered service on SBS Transit Service 974 and SMRT Buses Service 190. These buses are fitted with Mercedes-Benz OM936LA engines instead of the Cummins engines found on earlier batches of Enviro500s, and are built to a fully low-floor design, in comparison to the earlier MAN double-deckers.[16] During their service debut, all three buses experienced various mechanical issues, including engines overheating and issues with air pressure and centre doors.

Malaysia

A first generation Enviro500 MMC operated by Rapid Bus parked at Cheras Selatan depot

In Malaysia, Prasarana Malaysia ordered 40 Euro III-engined Enviro500 buses for Rapid KL's Rapid Bus service. The buses serve high capacity routes around the Klang Valley, especially from Cheras and Shah Alam to the capital city of Kuala Lumpur as well as the inner routes in the city centre.[17][18] A further three Enviro500s entered service on Penang's Rapid Bus routes in August 2016,[19][20] before they were transferred to Rapid KL following unsatisfactory results. They were reintroduced to Rapid Penang in February 2022 [21]

New Zealand

New Zealand operators began purchasing Enviro 500s in 2015, the following operators have purchased the type:

  • Howick & Eastern: 19[22][23]
  • NZ Bus: Auckland – 23 (2016),[24] 54 (2018); Wellington – 17 (2018, delayed entry into service until 2019)
  • Birkenhead Transport: 8[25]
  • Ritchies Transport Holdings: 23 (1356-1369 AT NEX livery. 1370-1378 AT Metro livery).
  • Mana Coach Services (under Newlands branding): 6 (2018)

Some were assembled locally by Kiwi Bus Builders.[23]

North America

United States

Sound Transit's first Double-decker bus on display at Union Station in Seattle, Washington.

Enviro500 MMCs produced in the United States are made under the title of 'USA Standard' instead of MMC. Production of these models has taken place since September 2014 in a newly opened facility originally owned by Ameritrans Bus, Inc. in Nappanee, Indiana.[26] By December 2016, Alexander Dennis took over all manufacturing operations within the facility and added a second body assembly line to increase production.[27]

As for operators, Community Transit in Snohomish County, Washington currently has a fleet of 62 Enviro500 coaches,[28] including 39 Enviro500 'USA Standard' coaches. After its initial order of 23 Enviro500 coaches[29] proved to be well suited for the agencies commuter routes with direct peak-hour service to Downtown Seattle, the agency placed orders for 17 more Enviro500 'USA Standard' coaches in 2013, 5 more in 2014,[29] and 17 more in 2016.[30]

At the same time as Community Transit placed its order, neighboring agency Sound Transit, the regional operator in Seattle, also ordered five Enviro500 'USA Standard' coaches. The agency used the coaches to test their suitability for use Sound Transit Express routes.[31] After proving to be successful, Sound Transit placed an order for an additional 32 Enviro500 'USA Standard' coaches in 2016[32] which would replace 32 articulated buses loaned from Sound Transit to Community Transit.[33] Another order for 13 buses followed in 2018.[34] The Enviro500s were first introduced on commuter routes between Snohomish County and Seattle, and later expanded service to Bellevue. All are operated by Community Transit.[35]

Kitsap Transit has ordered 11 Enviro500 'USA Standard' coaches to provide higher-capacity on its busiest ferry feeder services after demonstrations in 2013[36] and 2015.[37]

After a successful pilot in 2015,[38] AC Transit awarded a contract to Alexander Dennis for 10 double-deck buses in 2016;[39] the contract includes options for an additional 19 buses, divided as 10 buses for AC Transit, 3 buses for Unitrans, and 6 buses for WestCAT.[40] Transbay service using Enviro500s began in December 2018.[41]

Foothill Transit ordered 2 Enviro500EV variants with an all-electric drivetrain supplied by Proterra, expected to enter service in 2019.[42] These buses were delivered on 20 January 2021, prior to the formal launch of the Enviro500EV by Alexander Dennis.[43]

Canada

GO Transit's Enviro500 MMC "SuperLo" at Square One Bus Terminal.

In 2015, GO Transit, Canada's largest operator of double-deckers with over 120 vehicles in its fleet, became the launch customer for the Super-Lo variant of the Enviro500s. Their lower height of 3.9 metres allows them to fit into terminals with height restrictions, particularly York Mills and Yorkdale Terminals. The first batch of 38 vehicles (8300-8337) was delivered in 2016. The chassis for these vehicles are being manufactured at a purpose-built factory in Vaughan, north of Toronto, creating up to 30 new full-time jobs.[44] As a suburban bus operator, the Enviro500 has single doors at the front.

Strathcona County Transit received five Enviro500 MMCs in 2016. An additional five were ordered in 2017/2018 and entered service in 2019. Two more entered service in early 2020.

OC Transpo ordered 43 new Enviro500 MMC "Go Anywhere" models for delivery starting in late 2015 with the last entering service September 2016. These new buses will also be fitted with Wi-Fi, of which 15 currently have Wi-Fi as a test project. A further 17 buses entered service in 2017, making the current active fleet of over 130 units, with plans for other units pending. OC Transpo's Enviro500 have doors at the front and the middle. 8155 was damaged in a serious collision with a Westboro transit station shelter.[45]

Coast Mountain Bus Company (TransLink) ordered 32 units for 2019/2020 for use on their suburban routes, followed by another 25 buses for 2021. The first units entered service in October 2019.[46]

Mexico

Metrobús of Mexico City ordered 90 Enviro500 MMCs after evaluating one original version Enviro500 demonstrator in late 2014. They are scheduled for delivery in 2016.[47] The delivery has been delayed and as of 2017 only 22 out of 90 buses have arrived to Mexico City. The service of Metrobus is expected to start in October 2017 with the route that starts from Indios Verdes to Campo Marte.[48]

Europe

Germany

One of the first two Enviro500 MMCs for Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe

In October 2015 Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG), the public transport operator of Germany's capital, commenced a six-week trial of an Alexander Dennis Enviro500, as part of a bigger testing programme for a new series of buses for the city.[49][50]

In October 2018, the BVG ordered 200 Enviro500 in order to replace the MAN Lion's City DD.[51][52] The first two were unveiled by BVG in October 2020.[53]

Switzerland

In September 2015, Alexander Dennis announced the order of 19 Enviro500s with twin staircases and three doors for PostAuto, Switzerland, delivery started in 2017.

References

  1. ↑ Chan, Danny (January 2014). Hong Kong Buses Yearbook 2014. Northcord International. pp. 28–34. ISBN 978-962-9200-43-5.
  2. ↑ Chan, Danny (January 2013). Hong Kong Buses Yearbook 2013. Northcord International. p. 36. ISBN 978-962-9200-41-1.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Chan, Danny C. Y., ed. (2015). Hong Kong Buses Yearbook 2015 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Hong Kong: Northcord International. pp. 10–15. ISBN 9789629200459.
  4. ↑ "Alexander Dennis Inc Doubles Manufacturing Footprint in North America". Alexander Dennis. 6 January 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  5. ↑ "Market-leading transport solutions for North America" (PDF). Alexander Dennis. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  6. ↑ Kane, Mark (23 June 2021). "ADL Introduces Enviro500EV CHARGE Double Decker In North America". Inside EVs. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  7. 1 2 Deakin, Tim (25 March 2022). "ADL 'global ZE platform' at heart of KMB Enviro500EV order". routeone. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  8. ↑ "Enviro500EV is first ADL next-gen electric delivery". routeone. 24 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  9. ↑ Chan, Danny C. Y., ed. (2015). Hong Kong Buses Yearbook 2015 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Hong Kong: Northcord International. pp. 34–39. ISBN 9789629200459.
  10. ↑ May, Tiana (31 August 2022). "Hong Kong: MTR Orders Enviro500EV Double Decker Buses". Bus-News. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  11. ↑ "MTR begins electrification with Enviro500EV order". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough: Emap. 6 September 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  12. ↑ "SMRT Buses enhances strategy for fleet growth and renewal: Double Deckers among confirmed delivery of over 570 buses". SMRT Buses. 2 April 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  13. ↑ "SMRT Double Deckers to Begin Service on 13 July 2014". SMRT Corporation. 6 July 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  14. ↑ Singapore authority assesses three-door double-decks Archived 10 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine Bus & Coach Professional 6 May 2016
  15. ↑ 100 Three-door Double-Decker Buses Procured by LTA Land Transport Guru 25 April 2019
  16. ↑ "Alexander Dennis Enviro500 (3 Door)". landtransportguru.net. Land Transport Guru. 21 September 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  17. ↑ "Double-decker for stage bus services in KL to debut next month". The Sun Daily. 26 April 2015.
  18. ↑ "Narrow Enviro500 for Malaysia could also reach NZ" Buses issue 723 June 2015 page 19
  19. ↑ "Double-decker public buses to hit Penang streets on Wednesday". The Star Online. 18 July 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  20. ↑ "New fleet of 33 Rapid Penang double-decker buses to hit the streets beginning Aug 1". The Sun Daily. 20 July 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  21. ↑ "Rapid Penang Provides Double Decker Bus Service Starting 1 Feb 2022". 27 January 2022.
  22. ↑ Auckland bus company sees double future Radio New Zealand 18 February 2015
  23. 1 2 Double decker buses head for Auckland Radio New Zealand 2 September 2015
  24. ↑ NZ Bus invests in 23 ADL Enviro 500s Coach & Bus Week issue 1207 22 September 2015 page 14
  25. ↑ ADL highlights success in New Zealand Coach & Bus Week 17 December 2017
  26. ↑ "Bus Manufacturer Growing in Nappanee". Inside Indiana Business. 15 August 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  27. ↑ "Alexander Dennis grows on American market". busworld. 10 January 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  28. ↑ "Double Tall Buses". Community Transit. 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  29. 1 2 2014 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (PDF) (Report). Community Transit. p. 70. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  30. ↑ "Community Transit Orders 57 Buses for Expansion" (Press release). Community Transit. 5 August 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  31. ↑ "Ride tall: Sound Transit to purchase new double-decker transit buses" (Press release). Sound Transit. 27 March 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  32. ↑ "Ride taller: Sound Transit orders 32 more double decker transit buses" (Press release). Sound Transit. 28 July 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  33. ↑ "Purchase of Thirty-two Double Deck Buses for Increased Passenger Capacity, Bus Replacement and Service Expansion" (PDF). Sound Transit. 28 July 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 August 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  34. ↑ Sound Transit Board Approves Bus Purchases, Lynnwood Link Bid, and Beacon Hill TOD Sale, The Urbanist, December 27, 2018
  35. ↑ "Ride tall: New double decker buses roll out on the Eastside". Sound Transit. 26 March 2019. Archived from the original on 20 April 2019. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  36. ↑ Phan, Amy (8 June 2013). "Kitsap Transit kicking tires on double-decker buses". Kitsap Sun. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  37. ↑ Friedrich, Ed (26 May 2015). "Kitsap Transit trying out double-decker bus". Kitsap Sun. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  38. ↑ Cabanatuan, Michael (15 July 2015). "AC Transit will buy double-decker buses for crossbay runs". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  39. ↑ "Procurement Detail: AC Transit Number 2016-1357". AC Transit. 30 December 2015.
  40. ↑ Hursh, Michael A. (10 August 2016). Staff Report: Contract Award for Purchase of Double Deck Buses (PDF) (Report). AC Transit. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  41. ↑ Martichoux, Alix (6 December 2018). "Double decker buses are now making the commute across the Bay Bridge". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  42. ↑ "We're Bringing All-Electric Double Decker Buses to the SGV!" (Press release). Foothill Transit. 12 July 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  43. ↑ Governing Board Meeting, January 29, 2021, Foothill Transit
  44. ↑ "Scottish bus maker to establish Ontario plant as part of Metrolinx deal". Canadian Manufacturing. Annex Business Media. 24 November 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  45. ↑ "Double-decker bus crash in Ottawa kills 3, injures at least 20". cnn.com. 12 January 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  46. ↑ "Double-decker buses rolling into service this October". translink.ca. 14 August 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  47. ↑ 90 vehicle Mexico City order for Alexander Dennis Bus & Coach Professional 5 November 2015
  48. ↑ El Universal. (2017). Theresa May da banderazo a unidades de Metrobús. El Universal, 1. http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/metropoli/cdmx/theresa-may-da-banderazo-unidades-de-metrobus
  49. ↑ Klaus Kurpjuweit (10 October 2015). "BVG testet englischen Doppeldecker". Der Tagesspiegel. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  50. ↑ Six-week Berlin trial for ADL Enviro500 Bus & Coach Professional 23 October 2015
  51. ↑ Alexander Dennis wins Berlin contract for new double decker fleet. Published: 22 Oct 2018
  52. ↑ "Neue Doppeldecker für Berlin | BVG".
  53. ↑ First ADL Enviro500 double deckers arrive in Berlin Automotive World 21 October 2020

See also

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