Bus Manufacturer News & Discussion

[37114]

Consultation period on ADL Scotland closure has been extended.

I understand this is because there’s a strong possiblity of some substantial orders which would keep Larbert going.

It seemed to have gone quiet but weren't ADL in line for the disputed Blackpool order which was part of ZEBRA1? From memory, the order was due to go to Yutong, Wright bus called foul and said the procurement process was badly managed and the whole process had to be redone?

 

[Mikey C]

It may not make the national (ie UK) news, but the last manufacturer of anything would certainly make the local news for that area. I'll leave it up to you to do your own research about the media reaction to Eastern Coach Works, Northern Counties, Park Royal, Roe etc...

It's a major political story in Scotland because AD is a major employer in the area.

ADL has become a major story in the Scottish Parliament, a level of government which doesn't exist in England, that has a lot of devolved power. That's way above say ECW being discussed by Lowestoft council or Suffolk County Council.

 

[Beemax]

I would have thought that it would be sensible for the govnt to do with ZEBRA what they have done with the new electric car grant - ie, limit applicability to vehicles that meet ''sustainability ' criteria, for example limit the use of fossil fuel used in the manufacture and also take into account the energy used in transport , thus ruling out many or all Chinese vehicles from benefiting from the grant.

 

[Bornin1980s]

Can't help but think, that when we saw the bailout at say Scunthorpe, that other manufacturers might put pressure on the Government for a bail out. But then I thought back to pre Brexit days. Was Government support then even allowed?

Scunthorpe is our last foundry capable of producing virgin steel, a defence asset. It was not about the jobs.

 

[aswilliamsuk]

It seemed to have gone quiet but weren't ADL in line for the disputed Blackpool order which was part of ZEBRA1? From memory, the order was due to go to Yutong, Wright bus called foul and said the procurement process was badly managed and the whole process had to be redone?

My understanding was that ADL got the order in the end, which presumably had dispensation around the funding from the ZEBRA scheme to delay the order due to all of the litigation. I'm sure I saw somewhere that the order was going to arrive in stages from "early 2026", but I'm stuffed if I can recall where I saw it, or the veracity of it!

 

[Swimbar]

Unfortunately nearly every decision becomes a political football in Scotland.

 

[Edvid]

My understanding was that ADL got the order in the end, which presumably had dispensation around the funding from the ZEBRA scheme to delay the order due to all of the litigation. I'm sure I saw somewhere that the order was going to arrive in stages from "early 2026", but I'm stuffed if I can recall where I saw it, or the veracity of it!

Even after perusing recent Blackpool Council meeting / decision papers, or their transport policy (which previously stated, "the first electric buses are scheduled to arrive in 2026") I can find no sign of current progress w.r.t. their ZEBRA allocation. Furthermore ADL are generally quick to publicly announce secured orders for their zero-emission buses.

 

[Trainman40083]

Scunthorpe is our last foundry capable of producing virgin steel, a defence asset. It was not about the jobs.

Imagine having to rely on China for our defence needs.. Plus virgin steel is best for railway track.

 

[MotCO]

RouteOne is reporting that ADL has bought the Big Rig Manufacturing plant in North America.

Alexander Dennis takes ownership of Las Vegas Enviro500 plant - routeone

Alexander Dennis has taken ownership of the plant in Las Vegas that is building Enviro500 tri-axle double-deck buses for North America.

www.route-one.net

Alexander Dennis takes ownership of Las Vegas Enviro500 plant​

One bus per week capacity to grow by 50% in 2026, with scope for further expansion, firm says​

Big Rig Manufacturing established the facility through its partnership with Alexander Dennis, but the NFI Group subsidiary has confirmed it now has full ownership and direct operation of the factory through Alexander Dennis Inc, which is its legal entity in the United States.
To that end, the builder has celebrated the official opening of the plant and in doing so handed over the first of two of 10 Enviro500 buses to local customer the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Southern Nevada, which serves Las Vegas and is a long-time buyer of the type.
Production is currently one bus per week but that will ramp up to 1.5 per week through 2026, permitting the manufacture of 75 buses per year. Scope exists to further increase capacity at the location, which employs over 115 people.
Alexander Dennis Inc has invested US$15.3 million in the Las Vegas plant. Buses built there are compliant with the Buy America Act, which requires that more than 70% of materials and components are sourced from US-based suppliers.
The RTC buses are 12.9m long and 4.1m tall. They have twin staircases with 51 seats on the upper deck, 22 downstairs with space for two wheelchair users, and an overall capacity of 100 passengers.
Within the RTC Transit fleet already are 40 Enviro500 double-deckers built in 2020 at a former Alexander Dennis facility in the United States. 10 more are on order for 2026 delivery.
Speaking about the new plant, President and Managing Director Paul Davies says: “The opening of our new manufacturing facility secures the future of double-deck bus manufacturing in North America as we build on the Enviro500’s success and respond to growing interest in this high-capacity transit solution.”
He notes that the first double-deck buses from Alexander Dennis and its predecessors were introduced to North America in 2000. Over 1,300 have been built for transit agencies and tour operators on the continent since then.
Alexander Dennis has other North American orders in hand for the Enviro500 range, including for the next-generation battery-electric Enviro500EV.

 

[PG]

RouteOne is reporting that ADL has bought the Big Rig Manufacturing plant in North America.
https://www.route-one.net/bus/alexander-dennis-takes-ownership-of-las-vegas-enviro500-plant/

I'm no expert in bus manufacturing but 115+ people to make one bus a week, really!?

 

[MotCO]

I'm no expert in bus manufacturing but 115+ people to make one bus a week, really!?

It is a big bus !

 

[Volvodart]

The Scottish Government have announced what they are doing to support UK manufacturers, basically reopening the bid that lost out for the Scotzeb2 funding to Zenobe. It is highly likely that First Scotland were in this bid.

Further £40 million boost for zero emission buses | Transport Scotland

www.transport.gov.scot

Scottish Zero Emission Bus challenge fund | Transport Scotland

www.transport.gov.scot

The second and final phase of the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB 2) has received further funding to expand the number of projects supported under the initiative. This will contribute significantly to reducing the emissions from heavy duty vehicles in Scotland – one of the most disproportionately emitting sectors of road transport.

The Scottish Government is considering the highest scoring project which was invited to the final stages of the assessment process. The previous round of assessment was highly competitive, and Zenobe Energy emerged successfully – fulfilling their subsidy request of £41.7 million for their project (worth over £136 million) to bring 252 new, zero-emission buses and coaches to Scotland’s roads.

To continue to maximise the benefits of the ScotZEB programme, the second-placed bid will be reviewed by officials, and if successful against scheme criteria, will be considered for further funding. Organisations which are currently not part of the Zenobe-led consortium, are encouraged to make contact with Rock Road if they wish to benefit from this final opportunity for funding through the ScotZEB programme.

 

[F Great Eastern]

The MCV Evora is getting a slight frontal redesign. The first ones have been delivered to Bernard Kavanagh in Ireland.

https://www.facebook.com/VolvoBusUK...deck-buses-were-recently-han/780710557944928/

 

[TRAX]

The MCV Evora is getting a slight frontal redesign. The first ones have been delivered to Bernard Kavanagh in Ireland.

https://www.facebook.com/VolvoBusUK...deck-buses-were-recently-han/780710557944928/

I can’t see anything new apart from the addition of the ADAS systems

 

[F Great Eastern]

I can’t see anything new apart from the addition of the ADAS systems

The black bit underneath the windscreen is now a curved, semi circle shape similar to the Evolution 2, the original Evora is more squared off.

 

[TRAX]

The black bit underneath the windscreen is now a curved, semi circle shape similar to the Evolution 2, the original Evora is more squared off.

Ah yes I see it now.

 

[Bungle965]

An interesting article about the relaunch of Higher buses & coaches in the UK, they didn’t really have the greatest of success first time round, the only couple I recall is Big Lemon & Clayton Hotels at Manchester Airport.

Higer diesel coach and electric bus range for UK relaunch in 2026 - routeone

Higer diesel coaches and battery-electric buses will be relaunched into the UK after importer Harris Group launched Harris Bus and Coach

www.route-one.net

 

[scosutsut]

An interesting article about the relaunch of Higher buses & coaches in the UK, they didn’t really have the greatest of success first time round, the only couple I recall is Big Lemon & Clayton Hotels at Manchester Airport.

Higer diesel coach and electric bus range for UK relaunch in 2026 - routeone

Higer diesel coaches and battery-electric buses will be relaunched into the UK after importer Harris Group launched Harris Bus and Coach

www.route-one.net

It almost feels like all bets are off these days, where "upstarts" (in UK terms) like Yutong can come in and establish themselves, attracting big orders from the big groups and Higer clearly see a piece of the pie being available to have a crack at.

I must say that the Azure is very easy on the eye, compared to some of the ugly duckling designs available elsewhere!

 

[ClydeCoaster]

I did think the Higer coaches had a strong resemblance to King Long (and hence the new Wright Contour) and just read that Higer is a subsidiary of King Long, which I did not know! Agreed that the Azure isn't a bad looking thing, but I'm surprised they're not launching with their integral Fencer F1 - unless there's some agreement with Scania to keep it out of the UK? Higer offer the Fencer as an integral EV in Europe but Scania don't offer the Fencer body in Europe...

 

[Edvid]

Provincial-spec BD11s are in build for Arriva North East. Could be the first UK-bound single-door batch.

More EV buses I have been working on this time destined for the NE in the autumn . The photos are of the first vehicle of a batch of 14 currently at the BYD factory and the first in the Arriva… | Richard Yoxall

More EV buses I have been working on this time destined for the NE in the autumn . The photos are of the first vehicle of a batch of 14 currently at the BYD factory and the first in the Arriva regions specification which looks great. Further evidence of a huge acceleration and investment by...

www.linkedin.com

 

[Leyland Bus]

They're certainly not "a looker"...

Was it these that have the stepped ceiling (I can't the other photos)?

Provincial-spec BD11s are in build for Arriva North East. Could be the first UK-bound single-door batch.

More EV buses I have been working on this time destined for the NE in the autumn . The photos are of the first vehicle of a batch of 14 currently at the BYD factory and the first in the Arriva… | Richard Yoxall

More EV buses I have been working on this time destined for the NE in the autumn . The photos are of the first vehicle of a batch of 14 currently at the BYD factory and the first in the Arriva regions specification which looks great. Further evidence of a huge acceleration and investment by...

www.linkedin.com

 

[citybus2500]

I did think the Higer coaches had a strong resemblance to King Long (and hence the new Wright Contour) and just read that Higer is a subsidiary of King Long, which I did not know! Agreed that the Azure isn't a bad looking thing, but I'm surprised they're not launching with their integral Fencer F1 - unless there's some agreement with Scania to keep it out of the UK? Higer offer the Fencer as an integral EV in Europe but Scania don't offer the Fencer body in Europe...

https://citybus.piwigo.com/picture?/22111/search/psk-20250820-KiNtaZ1lo8
Scania / Higer Fencer in Estonia

 

[Mikey C]

Provincial-spec BD11s are in build for Arriva North East. Could be the first UK-bound single-door batch.

More EV buses I have been working on this time destined for the NE in the autumn . The photos are of the first vehicle of a batch of 14 currently at the BYD factory and the first in the Arriva… | Richard Yoxall

More EV buses I have been working on this time destined for the NE in the autumn . The photos are of the first vehicle of a batch of 14 currently at the BYD factory and the first in the Arriva regions specification which looks great. Further evidence of a huge acceleration and investment by...

www.linkedin.com

They have the same "wooden floorboard" effect floor as current London buses now seem to have.

 

[Russel]

Provincial-spec BD11s are in build for Arriva North East. Could be the first UK-bound single-door batch.

More EV buses I have been working on this time destined for the NE in the autumn . The photos are of the first vehicle of a batch of 14 currently at the BYD factory and the first in the Arriva… | Richard Yoxall

More EV buses I have been working on this time destined for the NE in the autumn . The photos are of the first vehicle of a batch of 14 currently at the BYD factory and the first in the Arriva regions specification which looks great. Further evidence of a huge acceleration and investment by...

www.linkedin.com

Okay, it was clearly designed during a power cut, but it's good to see Arriva investing in it's fleet, what is the size of the order?

 

[Edvid]

Okay, it was clearly designed during a power cut, but it's good to see Arriva investing in it's fleet, what is the size of the order?

14 buses, part-funded by ZEBRA 2.

Or it might actually be the Levelling Up Fund batch for Arriva Northumbria (also 14 buses).

 

[Blindtraveler]

Could do with some diesel singles for Kent as well if they've got their chequebook out

 

[nick291]

Was it these that have the stepped ceiling (I can't the other photos)?

I believe that is a feature of the Yutong U11DD instead. I ride them almost every day so I'm somewhat familiar with their layout now.

 

[Leyland Bus]

I believe that is a feature of the Yutong U11DD instead. I ride them almost every day so I'm somewhat familiar with their layout now.

Ahh, yes, now I remember! Thanks

 

[scosutsut]

Ahh, yes, now I remember! Thanks

It's an quite spectacular, isn't it, how many similarities they share - origin, type, propulsion, model name and of course the fact that both designs are absolutely gopping

 

[PG]

They're certainly not "a looker"...

Okay, it was clearly designed during a power cut,

Wonder if they used photos of East Lancs for inspiration?!!