Articulated buses in the United Kingdom

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Articulated buses have been rarely used in the United Kingdom compared to other countries, until the turn of the millennium. This was historically due to the UK preference for the double-decker bus for use on high capacity routes. As of June 2006, there were over 500 articulated buses in the UK^[1], although they are still heavily outnumbered by double deckers.

Contents 1 Leyland DAB 2 Mercedes Benz 3 Modern era 3.1 Use in London 3.2 Types 3.3 Operators 4 Gallery 5 See also 6 External links 7 References

[edit] Leyland DAB

Main article: Leyland-DAB articulated bus

Until 1980 articulated buses were illegal for British roads due to their length. Following an exemption, the first trial of articulated buses in the UK used the Leyland-DAB articulated bus, built by the British-Danish joint venture, Leyland-DAB bus, in Denmark^[2].

Four models of their National bodied buses were imported, and used on extended trial by South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), purchased in 1979 ^[3]. These vehicles wore a green, red and cream livery ^[4], and as well as Yorkshire, were demonstrated to other UK operators including Maidstone Borough Council Transport. An example was also exhibited by private London operator Capital Citybus with route blinds and markings for Red Arrow service^[5].

These 4 National types were later sold to McGills of Barrhead for Glasgow services ^[6][7], and also Hampshire Bus in Winchester. Some later saw use as airport buses with British Airways, and then as non-PSV exhibit buses ^[8][9] (in 2008) At least one of these buses was undergoing preservation by 2003^[10].

Following the trials and demonstrations, no UK operators decided to place orders for the Leyland DABs, except for South Yorkshire Transport in 1985, the bus operating company now divested from the SYPTE. SYT placed an order for 13 buses of the DAB bodied type, which saw service in a blue and cream liveried City Clipper circular service ^[11] and the X91 Fastline route ^[12]. These buses survived privatisation of the PTEs and saw service with the privatised operator Mainline in Sheffield ^[13] and Rotherham ^[14]. These vehicles lasted in Mainline service until 1999. These buses were also loaned for demonstration to London Buses, with one seeing service with the Selkent division, ^[15] in 1992 ^[16].

[edit] Mercedes Benz

A single November 1992 built articulated Mercedes-Benz O405G was bought by Grampian Regional Transport (GRT), the forerunner of First Group, as their bus RT1 (K1 GRT)^[17]. This bus survived into 2008 as a unique member of the First Aberdeen fleet as their 10046^[18].

[edit] Modern era

In the new millennium interest was revived in the more advanced, lighter, low-floor designs being introduced, and the first articulated buses were introduced in London. Later, First Group, in collaboration with Volvo Buses and Wrightbus, developed the Wright StreetCar. First Group branded this the ftr concept, for use in the introduction of new bus rapid transit schemes. The ftr is used in Leeds and York, and is due for use in Swansea.

Use of conventional articulated buses has extended beyond London, into the other English regions, as well as Scotland and Wales. Cardiff Bus secured the first Statutory Quality Bus Partnership in the UK which prompted the introduction of high technology artics^[1]. While Arriva has the largest single fleet, in London, First operates the most artics in the UK, across its subsidiary companies^[1].

[edit] Use in London

See also: London articulated bus controversy

Articulated bus use in the UK started in London, and the majority of UK artics are based in London, driven by the tendering specification system of Transport for London, the regulation authority responsible for bus services in London. The introduction of 'bendy buses' in London caused several issues, including safety and fare evasion.

[edit] Types

The majority of articulated buses in the UK are Mercedes Citaros, with the remainder being standard Scania and Volvos, and the Wright StreetCar.

The types in use are:

• Mercedes Citaro integral buses
• Mercedes-Benz O405GN integral buses
• Scania OmniCity integral buses
• Scania OmniTown integral buses
• Scania L94UA chassis with Wright Solar Fusion bodywork
• Volvo B10LA chassis with Wright Fusion bodywork
• Volvo B7LA chassis with Wright Eclipse Fusion bodywork
• Wright StreetCar, a Volvo/Wright combined project

Volvo have demonstrated a Hispano-bodied articulated bus in London, as have Scania with the OmniCity, but neither has secured any orders.

[edit] Operators

• Arriva London
• Cardiff Bus
• East London
• First Aberdeen
• First Avon and Somerset
• First Capital Connect Luton Airport link
• First Glasgow
• First Leeds (ftr)
• First Manchester
• First York (Park & Ride)
• First York (ftr)
• Go North East MetroCentre Shuttle
• London Central
• London General
• National Express Coventry
• National Express West Midlands
• Nottingham City Transport
• Truronian (3 for the Eden project)

[edit] Gallery

Scania L94UA low floor with Wright Solar Fusion bodywork in the First Manchester fleet

A Mercedes-Benz O530 Citaro of Travel Coventry

First Manchester

"Bendy bus" at the University of Bath]]

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

• Images of the Mainline Leyland DAB on hire in London
• Gallery of UK articulated buses

[edit] References

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