Bus Manufacturer News & Discussion

[christopher]

Wasn't it to do with overheating due to the radiator pack being on the nearside so they'd get blocked from sucking up leaves etc

 

[hst43102]

Wasn't it to do with overheating due to the radiator pack being on the nearside so they'd get blocked from sucking up leaves etc

That was certainly a problem with the Scania K320UB / E300s, not heard about it affecting the MANs.

 

[Jordan Adam]

MAN had an issue with a certain Engine model which initially they refused to accept liability for which was partly to blame for their falling out of favour and hence why the ones retained are Cummins engined.

It's not even a certain engine model. MAN engines in general have been plagued by issues. The main one that springs to mind is the EGR Valve issues with Euro5 engines, particularly the D26 unit used in trucks and coaches such as the MAN TGX and Neoplan Tourliner. It got to the point where MAN were offering new engines and parts free of charge. Despite the issue first surfacing 8 years ago there has still been reports of the same problem with Euro 6 vehicles.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Wasn't it to do with overheating due to the radiator pack being on the nearside so they'd get blocked from sucking up leaves etc

It's not even a certain engine model. MAN engines in general have been plagued by issues. The main one that springs to mind is the EGR Valve issues with Euro5 engines, particularly the D26 unit used in trucks and coaches such as the MAN TGX and Neoplan Tourliner. It got to the point where MAN were offering new engines and parts free of charge. Despite the issue first surfacing 8 years ago there has still been reports of the same problem with Euro 6 vehicles.

Overheating and overall fragility of MAN engines was indeed a problem with those, in much the way they were some years previously on the Optare Vecta

 

[Robertj21a]

Overheating and overall fragility of MAN engines was indeed a problem with those, in much the way they were some years previously on the Optare Vecta

Any thoughts on whether this is some sort of 'UK import' issue ? - surely, it's the same kit being used, in good volumes, in Europe (or perhaps not)?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Any thoughts on whether this is some sort of 'UK import' issue ? - surely, it's the same kit being used, in good volumes, in Europe (or perhaps not)?

My understanding is the nearside (UK) position of the radiator was definitely an issue. Even if the engine doesn't overheat, the lack of air circulation means it's working harder than it should be and it degrades engine life. You also have other issues to consider - such as having a UK body plonked on top of it and how that can impact ventilation.

 

[Robertj21a]

My understanding is the nearside (UK) position of the radiator was definitely an issue. Even if the engine doesn't overheat, the lack of air circulation means it's working harder than it should be and it degrades engine life. You also have other issues to consider - such as having a UK body plonked on top of it and how that can impact ventilation.

Good points, thanks.

 

[hst43102]

Going on a slight tangent here, but have any integral MAN vehicles been offered over here? Perhaps this would solve some of the issues.

 

[LOL The Irony]

Going on a slight tangent here, but have any integral MAN vehicles been offered over here? Perhaps this would solve some of the issues.

I believe I may be right in saying that the only integral MAN products offered here are Neoplan coaches and airport buses.

 

[Snow1964]

Wrightbus have introduced a new rapid charge double deck called Streetdeck electro liner.

There is a small preview on the ITT Hub website (ahead of Exhibition at Farnborough opening this morning), but likely to be more comprehensive info and links open later. Attaching link to preview news

The StreetDeck Electroliner – the first ever EV from Wrightbus – is the perfect combination of range and efficiency, maximising power and offering class-leading recharge times.

I thought their first EV was Street Air

Utilising a French battery pack which delivers 454kw and a 200-mile range, the Electroliner will recharge in two hours 45minutes and cope with all routes, whether urban or rural.

I think it is Forsee power that supplies the batteries

Nor has the bus compromised on layout or capacity, with batteries efficiently stored around the bus to ensure passenger capacity comfort is not compromised.

Wrightbus, already leading the world with its pioneering hydrogen technology, today unveils the latest addition to its zero-emission arsenal – a rapid-charge electric double-deck. - ITT Hub

The StreetDeck Electroliner – the first ever EV from Wrightbus – is the perfect combination of range and efficiency, maximising power and offering class-leading recharge times. Utilising a French battery pack which delivers 454kw and a 200-mile range, the Electroliner will recharge in two hours...

www.itthub.co.uk

Also appears the double deck range is now named hydroliner (hydrogen) or electroliner (electric)

A large part (by value) is imported, the hydrogen fuel cells are made by Ballard of Canada, the electric batteries are French.

 

[Volvodart]

Wrightbus, already leading the world with its pioneering hydrogen technology, today unveils the latest addition to its zero-emission arsenal – a rapid-charge electric double-deck.​

Kate Holgate​

• June 29, 2021
• 8:46 am

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The StreetDeck Electroliner – the first ever EV from Wrightbus – is the perfect combination of range and efficiency, maximising power and offering class-leading recharge times.
Utilising a French battery pack which delivers 454kw and a 200-mile range, the Electroliner will recharge in two hours 45minutes and cope with all routes, whether urban or rural.
Nor has the bus compromised on layout or capacity, with batteries efficiently stored around the bus to ensure passenger capacity comfort is not compromised.
Founded in 1946, Wrightbus has been at the forefront of public transport for 75 years and is still based in the heart of Ballymena, Northern Ireland.
Rescued from administration by green entrepreneur Jo Bamford in October 2019, the company is going from strength to strength, also launching a world-first hydrogen bus as well as an advanced telematics system to give real-time updates on performance, maintenance and CO2 savings.
CEO Buta Atwal, who last week took the wraps off a fleet of 20 hydrogen buses alongside London Mayor Sadiq Khan, said Wrightbus continued to deliver on its net zero promise.

“We have gained a strong reputation for our hydrogen double deck but we want to lead the world in zero-emissions full stop,” he explained.
“Wrightbus has the best brains in the business when it comes to technology and our StreetDeck Electroliner puts us squarely at the front of the pack.
“We haven’t weighed the bus down with a high battery volume just so we can say it’s got the most power or range; instead, we want to be the most efficient vehicle on the road so we’ve combined optimum power with a class-leading rapid charge meaning our electric bus spends more time on the road than any other.”

The Wrightbus hydrogen-fueled bus is already in operation in Aberdeen, London, Belfast and Dublin, and there is growing interest for all its zero emissions offerings from around the globe.
The Ballymena-based company is in discussions with operators from the USA, Australia, South America and the Far East as authorities race to hit net zero targets.
ENDS
For all media requests, including images and interview opportunities, contact Sarah Hughes, Head of PR, on 07483 160222 or [email protected]

Notes to editors:
Wrightbus, based in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, builds the world’s lightest bus chassis and has developed the world’s first double-decker hydrogen bus. Owned by Jo Bamford, who bought the business in 2019, Wrightbus is at the vanguard of the zero-emission bus movement. The first hydrogen buses are in operation in Aberdeen and London, with more local authorities looking to introduce them to their fleet over the coming years.

https://www.itthub.co.uk/news/wrigh...-arsenal-a-rapid-charge-electric-double-deck/

 

[Jordan Adam]

I thought their first EV was Street Air

Presumably it means to say First EV Double Decker.

I think it is Forsee power that supplies the batteries

Indeed it is as confirmed by this article from last November:

Wrightbus signs up Forsee Power for electric bus batteries

Wrightbus has signed a new contract with French battery supplier Forsee Power, which has supplied the Northern Ireland-based manufacturer since 2013.

www.transportengineer.org.uk

Wrightbus signs up Forsee Power for electric bus batteries04 November 2020​

Wrightbus has signed a new contract with French battery supplier Forsee Power, which has supplied the Northern Ireland-based manufacturer since 2013.


The Bamford Group, new owner of the Wrightbus bus brand, has renewed its long-term partnership with Forsee Power with a contract for several hundred battery systems per year. The equipment of the city of Belfast from 2021 will be a first key project.

Forsee Power will supply Wrightbus with its new generation of slim batteries, whose extra-flat format allows an easy integration into the chassis of vehicles (standard or double-decker buses).

First, Forsee Power will equip the buses with the new ZEN-Slim high-energy batteries (11 kWh, 16 kWh & 22 kWh). The flat format allows an easy integration into the floor or other vehicle spaces. These modular battery systems have an integrated liquid cooling system and will be intended for 100% electric buses with high autonomy and overnight charging. Each bus will be equipped with 333 kWh to 423 kWh.

Then, the new generation of FLEX-Slim batteries will complete the technical offer and will be integrated into hydrogen buses (standard or double-decker) and 100% electric buses.

In 2016, the two pioneer partners broadened their cooperation in the field of hydrogen buses, for which Forsee Power has developed the high-power Pulse technology. This partnership won the JIVE (Joint Initiative for Hydrogen Vehicles Across Europe) call for tenders, and to register nearly 100 orders for hydrogen buses in major cities such as Aberdeen, London, or Liverpool. The Streedeck H2 Buses thus reach a range of 320 km.

 

[Jordan Adam]

The Hydrogen model is now being marketed as the "StreetDeck HydroLiner" rather than the overly confusing "Streetdeck-FCEV".

Meet the Hydroliner, the revolutionary world-first hydrogen double-deck from Wrightbus which is leading the way in zero-emissions technology. - ITT Hub

The first hydrogen-fuelled double deck bus on Earth to go into production, the StreetDeck Hydroliner is already in operation in Aberdeen, London, Belfast and Dublin – with interest from around the globe. Wrightbus is in discussions with operators from the USA, Australia, South America and the...

www.itthub.co.uk

The first hydrogen-fuelled double deck bus on Earth to go into production, the StreetDeck Hydroliner is already in operation in Aberdeen, London, Belfast and Dublin – with interest from around the globe.

Wrightbus is in discussions with operators from the USA, Australia, South America and the Far East as authorities race to hit net zero targets.

The figures make for incredible reading – in the first three months of this year alone, Wrightbus’ iconic fleet in Aberdeen saved 170 tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere.

Add in clean-air filtration systems and a refuel time of just eight minutes and it’s clear what hydrogen is exciting operators.

Founded in 1946, Wrightbus has been at the forefront of public transport for 75 years and is still based in the heart of Ballymena, Northern Ireland.

Rescued from administration by green entrepreneur Jo Bamford in October 2019, the company is going from strength to strength, also launching a class-leading electric bus as well as an advanced telematics system to give real-time updates on performance, maintenance and CO2 savings.

CEO Buta Atwal, who last week took the wraps off a fleet of 20 hydrogen buses alongside London Mayor Sadiq Khan, said Wrightbus continued to deliver on its net zero promise.

“We have already witnessed the astonishing impact our hydrogen buses have had on the streets of Aberdeen, saving more than 170 tonnes of CO2 in the first three months of operation alone, and now we’re on the streets of London to help clean up the toxic city fumes too,” Mr Atwal explained.
“Sadiq Khan was clear in his mission to turn London’s iconic red buses green and, by partnering with Wrightbus, the most important city in the world is able to clean up its act.
“I am hugely proud of the strides we have made in the last two years but this is no time to stand still and say ‘we’ve done it’. Pioneering this technology means we have to lead from the front.
“We are constantly developing and evolving our platforms to squeeze every last ounce of efficiency out of the system and give customers old and new that legendary Wrightbus service. Just as importantly, we are creating vital UK jobs using buses designed and made in the UK. It is a huge plus for us.”

Enhancing the Union’s reputation as pioneers of hydrogen adoption and production, Wrightbus has a core team of developers and designers at its factory in Ballymena.

“We have some incredible talent here at Wrightbus right across the board, from design through to production, which means we are perfectly placed to continue leading the way in zero emissions’ technology,” Mr Atwal concluded.
“Wrightbus is growing and we are always looking for the best new talent on the market to come and join us.”

 

[Snow1964]

https://www.itthub.co.uk/news/wrigh...-arsenal-a-rapid-charge-electric-double-deck/

I am amazed at the reference on the link to 454 Kw power

In old money that is 608 horsepower, which is about 4 times the power of a diesel Streetdeck. A sort of Streetdeck GTI turbo

 

[Jordan Adam]

I am amazed at the reference on the link to 454 Kw power

In old money that is 608 horsepower, which is about 4 times the power of a diesel Streetdeck. A sort of Streetdeck GTI turbo

For comparison the BYD/E400 offering produces 382KWHs with a 160 mile range, so the statistics for the Streetdeck are pretty impressive in comparison with it's 200 mile rage.

 

[TRAX]

I am amazed at the reference on the link to 454 Kw power

In old money that is 608 horsepower, which is about 4 times the power of a diesel Streetdeck. A sort of Streetdeck GTI turbo

As it’s about the batteries, shouldn’t it read kWh ?

 

[90019]

I thought their first EV was Street Air

Presumably they're brushing that one under the carpet since it was such a failure.

 

[scosutsut]

Presumably they're brushing that one under the carpet since it was such a failure.

I guess they can claim the "Shaggy" defence - as a pre-Bamford era product "it wasn't me"

 

[Jordan Adam]

Wrightbus have updated their website with a revised product line up, the new single decker is called the GB Hawk. - https://www.wrightbus.com

Full product line up:
Streetlite Ultroliner
GB Hawk
Streetdeck Ultroliner (Diesel)
Streetdeck Electroliner (Battery Electric)
Streetdeck Hydroliner (Fuel Cell Electric)

The website also confirms that the Hawk and Streetdeck are offered with both the OM934 and OM936 engines.

 

[F Great Eastern]

The names are dreadful.

The new support products, WB Support 365, WB Uptime 365 are not much better.

 

[cnjb8]

Wrightbus have updated their website with a revised product line up, the new single decker is called the GB Hawk. - https://www.wrightbus.com

Full product line up:
Streetlite Ultroliner
GB Hawk
Streetdeck Ultroliner (Diesel)
Streetdeck Electroliner (Battery Electric)
Streetdeck Hydroliner (Fuel Cell Electric)

The website also confirms that the Hawk and Streetdeck are offered with both the OM934 and OM936 engines.

So a Wright StreetLite DF is now a Wright StreetLite Ultroliner DF? Bit weird, Hawk is a strange name too

 

[Jordan Adam]

So a Wright StreetLite DF is now a Wright StreetLite Ultroliner DF? Bit weird, Hawk is a strange name too

Correct, the "Ultroliner" name is used for diesel variants of the StreetLite and StreetDeck.

The names are dreadful.

The new support products, WB Support 365, WB Uptime 365 are not much better.

I quite like the Hawk name, the "GB" part is presumably because it's built to "UK & Ireland" specification which would make sense as Wrightbus were/are intending to offer it to markets outside the UK once the Hydrogen and Battery Electric variants come along in September.

 

[fgwrich]

Wrightbus have updated their website with a revised product line up, the new single decker is called the GB Hawk. - https://www.wrightbus.com

Full product line up:
Streetlite Ultroliner
GB Hawk
Streetdeck Ultroliner (Diesel)
Streetdeck Electroliner (Battery Electric)
Streetdeck Hydroliner (Fuel Cell Electric)

The website also confirms that the Hawk and Streetdeck are offered with both the OM934 and OM936 engines.

Browsed it and laughed at some of the stuff on there - some pretty terrible quality low resolution photos of it's products (the DF Streetlite for example) and bold statements for the StreetDeck Ultroliner EU6 like "Meet the UK's Favourite Bus".... Might want to avoid selling that one to Lothian, First Leeds or Arriva...

 

[Jordan Adam]

Browsed it and laughed at some of the stuff on there - some pretty terrible quality low resolution photos of it's products (the DF Streetlite for example) and bold statements for the StreetDeck Ultroliner EU6 like "Meet the UK's Favourite Bus".... Might want to avoid selling that one to Lothian, First Leeds or Arriva...

They're offering the diesel Streetdeck with the 6cylinder OM936 engine now which is far superior and better suited than the OM934

 

[Bristol LHS]

Wrightbus have updated their website with a revised product line up, the new single decker is called the GB Hawk. - https://www.wrightbus.com

Hawk is an awful name. What does GB stand for…? ‘Great Britain’ would be an odd choice for a manufacturer based in Northern Ireland?

 

[LOL The Irony]

Browsed it and laughed at some of the stuff on there - some pretty terrible quality low resolution photos of it's products (the DF Streetlite for example) and bold statements for the StreetDeck Ultroliner EU6 like "Meet the UK's Favourite Bus".... Might want to avoid selling that one to Lothian, First Leeds or Arriva...

I was going to bring that up. Has the diesel Streetdeck ever outsold the diesel Enviro 400?

 

[hst43102]

I was going to bring that up. Has the diesel Streetdeck ever outsold the diesel Enviro 400?

Quite possibly during the last year where Diamond Bus in Bolton ordered a large fleet of Streetdecks (90+ vehicles, I think?) whilst the only sizeable recent order for the E400 has come from Stagecoach Manchester (52 vehicles)

 

[Snow1964]

Hawk is an awful name. What does GB stand for…? ‘Great Britain’ would be an odd choice for a manufacturer based in Northern Ireland?

Not first time Hawk has been used as a name for buses, used to be a BMC Hawk about 15 years ago, some might still be around

Humber cars used name Hawk for many years too

I do wonder if GB Hawk is some sort of temporary joke name, we are watching (hawks have exceptional eyesight), or using the political usage (Hawk is someone favouring war), and GB is probably aimed at Government (Give us Bribe) yet another research and development subsidy from tax revenues in London and SE

 

[Jordan Adam]

Not first time Hawk has been used as a name for buses, used to be a BMC Hawk about 15 years ago, some might still be around

Humber cars used name Hawk for many years too

I do wonder if GB Hawk is some sort of temporary joke name, we are watching (hawks have exceptional eyesight), or using the political usage (Hawk is someone favouring war), and GB is probably aimed at Government (Give us Bribe) yet another research and development subsidy from tax revenues in London and SE

It's because it's built to UK specification, long term Wright intend to offer the Hawk outside the UK.

 

[MotCO]

Quite possibly during the last year where Diamond Bus in Bolton ordered a large fleet of Streetdecks (90+ vehicles, I think?) whilst the only sizeable recent order for the E400 has come from Stagecoach Manchester (52 vehicles)

Depends if you mean E400 (whole bus) or E400 (body). I seem to recall that Lothian has bought a large number of E400 bodied Volvos (2 and 3 axle), and there have been several purchases of E400 'coach' buses for independents which could start to add up.