London to try a tri-axle ‘decker

[class387]

Very excited it has entered service and will try to get it on Saturday.

What I want to know from people who have rode it is whether the ride quality is as good as the Ensign ones and whether or not it rattles, as that is what makes BCIs so good for me.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Is it LHD only or are they selling it in Hong Kong?

They do offer it in RHD set up, but there's no longer a production line for the RHD E500 in the UK, in addition to this it would need adapted to the UK market, admittedly not hard to do.

Many independents have asked in recent years if ADL would build them E500s and ADL have turned the offer down citing that they offer the 11.5M Enviro400.

 

[Gingerbus1991]

https://cbwmagazine.com/london-to-try-a-tri-axle-decker/

Nice to see some new types of buses coming to london, Why an E500MMC could not be tried is anyone's guess.. Im sure ALX would be happy to make them.

Taking many operators as an example, before purchasing they likely trial different models to see what works best, it could simply be that the ADL500 or Gemini/Volvo B8L are more expensive to buy than this new BCI, there is a 500H hybrid that was built as a prototype way back about 8 years ago for the market in hongkong but as of to date Volvo nor Wright nor ADL have a Hybrid tri-axle to sell as a competitor, This Hybrid BCI 6x2 is a niche vehicle for sure.

ADL could most likely re-certify a RHD Hongkong built 500 for the UK market but bus companys in the uk are certainly more reluctant to buy tri-axles, that have extra maintence costs and purchase price.

 

[Robertj21a]

..

Taking many operators as an example, before purchasing they likely trial different models to see what works best, it could simply be that the ADL500 or Gemini/Volvo B8L are more expensive to buy than this new BCI, there is a 500H hybrid that was built as a prototype way back about 8 years ago for the market in hongkong but as of to date Volvo nor Wright nor ADL have a Hybrid tri-axle to sell as a competitor, This Hybrid BCI 6x2 is a niche vehicle for sure.

ADL could most likely re-certify a RHD Hongkong built 500 for the UK market but bus companys in the uk are certainly more reluctant to buy tri-axles, that have extra maintence costs and purchase price.

........and don't need the weighty aircon that is essential in Hong Kong.

 

[radamfi]

Does this tri-axle have proper air-conditioning and windows that don't steam up, so that they are pleasant to use on wet and cold days?

 

[Wirewiper]

Just to add to the fun, ADL and Lothian Buses have just announced an order for 42 13.4m tri-axles on Volvo chassis. These giant 100-seaters will start entering service in January.

The designation of the new model is Enviro400XLB - ADL is quite clear that these are NOT Enviro500s. ADL are coy about the possibility for a demonstrator for London, but haven't actively ruled it out.

https://www.alexander-dennis.com/me...three-axle-adl-enviro400xlb-on-volvo-chassis/

 

[class387]

Just to add to the fun, ADL and Lothian Buses have just announced an order for 42 13.4m tri-axles on Volvo chassis. These giant 100-seaters will start entering service in January.

The designation of the new model is Enviro400XLB - ADL is quite clear that these are NOT Enviro500s. ADL are coy about the possibility for a demonstrator for London, but haven't actively ruled it out.

https://www.alexander-dennis.com/me...three-axle-adl-enviro400xlb-on-volvo-chassis/

As I said in the other thread, this looks much nicer than the BCI. I'm just concerned whether ADL build quality will lead to a rough and rattly ride on these. The BCI's ride quality is so good I don't see how this could be better unfortunately.

 

[Darklord8899]

Just to add to the fun, ADL and Lothian Buses have just announced an order for 42 13.4m tri-axles on Volvo chassis. These giant 100-seaters will start entering service in January.

The designation of the new model is Enviro400XLB - ADL is quite clear that these are NOT Enviro500s. ADL are coy about the possibility for a demonstrator for London, but haven't actively ruled it out.

https://www.alexander-dennis.com/me...three-axle-adl-enviro400xlb-on-volvo-chassis/

And as I have said in the Lothian thread, I think these ADL's look stunning, also love the return to dual doors as well (grew up in Edinburgh with dual door buses). I really hope they are as comfortable to ride in as they are beautiful (and stay so as they age)

 

[AndrewE]

Hasn't the lesson already been learned the hard way that London buses need windows that can be opened other than in an emergency?!

...and that (if it hasn't got a steering rear axle, which I haven't seen mentioned yet) it will suffer from "rear bogie scrub" - ripping up tyres and tarmac) which is why twin-axle steering/single rear designs were developed.

 

[PermitToTravel]

https://cbwmagazine.com/london-to-try-a-tri-axle-decker/ says the tag axle steers

 

[Jordan Adam]

https://cbwmagazine.com/london-to-try-a-tri-axle-decker/ says the tag axle steers

It does... You can see it in the photo on the page.

 

[Mikey C]

Just to add to the fun, ADL and Lothian Buses have just announced an order for 42 13.4m tri-axles on Volvo chassis. These giant 100-seaters will start entering service in January.

The designation of the new model is Enviro400XLB - ADL is quite clear that these are NOT Enviro500s. ADL are coy about the possibility for a demonstrator for London, but haven't actively ruled it out.

https://www.alexander-dennis.com/me...three-axle-adl-enviro400xlb-on-volvo-chassis/

Slightly unusual really, ADL producing a UK tri-axle that isn't on their own chassis or an E500. Similarly, it's again slightly surprising that Lothian have gone for ADL rather than Wright bodywork, seeing that all the B8Ls ordered in Hong Kong are Wrights bodied!

 

[johnw]

In past interviews, the CEO of Alexander Dennis, has stated that they are more than happy to body other manufacturers chassis as they would prefer to get a share of the order than none of it. Hence the various Enviro bodied Scanias.

ADL do have a close relationship with Volvo through the Plaxton part of the business. However I suspect that the use of Volvo chassis was down to Lothian. I’m sure ADL would develop a UK E500 or a tri axle E400 for an order of 42.

 

[class387]

Managed to get on TA1 for the first time today:

Ride quality super smooth, very quiet, zero rattles and comfortable seats. As good as I expected it to be.

 

[Gingerbus1991]

In past interviews, the CEO of Alexander Dennis, has stated that they are more than happy to body other manufacturers chassis as they would prefer to get a share of the order than none of it. Hence the various Enviro bodied Scanias.

ADL do have a close relationship with Volvo through the Plaxton part of the business. However I suspect that the use of Volvo chassis was down to Lothian. I’m sure ADL would develop a UK E500 or a tri axle E400 for an order of 42.

Given that Lothian only do Volvo engined stuff these days It's not surprizingly.

 

[Busaholic]

Managed to get on TA1 for the first time today:

Ride quality super smooth, very quiet, zero rattles and comfortable seats. As good as I expected it to be.

Let's get down to the nitty gritty - unless TfL do a NRM (i.e. be responsible for ordering and purchasing them, which would seem out of the question for the foreseeable future) what chances are there of any London bus company purchasing these?

 

[PermitToTravel]

Unlike the NRM or artics, they do have a lot of potential cascade value outside London - especially for the groups operating "premium" routes

Return of tri-axle Magic Buses, anyone?

 

[Qwerty133]

Unlike the NRM or artics, they do have a lot of potential cascade value outside London - especially for the groups operating "premium" routes

Return of tri-axle Magic Buses, anyone?

Magic bus is the exact opposite of "premium"...

 

[PermitToTravel]

oh, of course - it is another sensible use for them though!

 

[class387]

Let's get down to the nitty gritty - unless TfL do a NRM (i.e. be responsible for ordering and purchasing them, which would seem out of the question for the foreseeable future) what chances are there of any London bus company purchasing these?

Almost zero. Doesn't stop it being a good bus though - there have been many one-off buses in London that were very good (FRM etc.).

 

[Busaholic]

Almost zero. Doesn't stop it being a good bus though - there have been many one-off buses in London that were very good (FRM etc.).

Absolutely agree. I'm just sorry I shan't get the opportunity to travel on it, unless it's there for a few more months.

Only ever travelled once on the FRM, almost exactly 49 years ago on the first day of double deck opo in London on the 233 from Roundshaw.