Alexander Dennis Enviro 200
Encyclopedia
The TransBus Enviro200 is a midibus
designed by TransBus International (now Alexander Dennis
) for the UK
market, intended as the successor of the Dennis Dart SLF.
.
The innovative design meant that the Enviro200 could hold up to 25% more passengers than a vehicle of equivalent dimensions (10.4m long, 2.4m wide), with a capacity of 77, both seated and standing.
The vehicle also incorporated an "Enviro Pack", intended to vent exhaust emissions, noise and heat away from ground level and thus alighting passengers.
Despite a demonstrator operating long term trials in London, no orders were received for the bus. The unconventional two-door layout and the collapse of TransBus International in 2004, and the subsequent restructuring of the company into Alexander Dennis, did little to help the marketing of such an unusual vehicle. The only remaining examples are now in service with private operator Far East Travel of Ipswich, and the rear-door is very rarely used.
A diesel-electric hybrid
was also offered in the form of the Enviro200H with battery packs stored on the roof and looked certain to enter TfL
trials, though the collapse of TransBus paved the way for the competing Wright Electrocity
to win the order.
in August of that year.
It retains the conventional rear-engined layout of the Dart and offers the same seating capacity of the Pointer, but with more 'fixed' seats rather than 'tip up' for each length. The Enviro200 Dart chassis is also available with East Lancs
and MCV
bodywork. And the body of Enviro200 Dart became available on MAN 14.240 chassis since 2007.
The Enviro200 Dart is now referred to simply as the "Alexander Dennis Enviro200", creating confusion between the two models.
Midibus
A midibus is a classification of single-decker minibuses which generally are larger than a traditional minibus but smaller than a full-size single decker and can be anywhere between and long...
designed by TransBus International (now Alexander Dennis
Alexander Dennis
Alexander Dennis Limited is the largest bus builder in the United Kingdom. It incorporated the three last surviving bus manufacturers which started bus production before World War II: Dennis, Alexander and Plaxton.- History :Alexander Dennis was formed as TransBus on 1 January 2001, after the...
) for the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
market, intended as the successor of the Dennis Dart SLF.
Design
Originally unveiled at Coach & Bus 2003, the vehicle was unique in that it had a door both at the front and at the rear of the bus, as such a layout is rare in the UK (most dual-door buses in the UK have a door at the front and another door around the centre of the bus). This was achieved by placing the engine vertically at the rear offside together with other driveline components, which also created a full low floor layout, common on buses in Continental EuropeContinental Europe
Continental Europe, also referred to as mainland Europe or simply the Continent, is the continent of Europe, explicitly excluding European islands....
.
The innovative design meant that the Enviro200 could hold up to 25% more passengers than a vehicle of equivalent dimensions (10.4m long, 2.4m wide), with a capacity of 77, both seated and standing.
The vehicle also incorporated an "Enviro Pack", intended to vent exhaust emissions, noise and heat away from ground level and thus alighting passengers.
Despite a demonstrator operating long term trials in London, no orders were received for the bus. The unconventional two-door layout and the collapse of TransBus International in 2004, and the subsequent restructuring of the company into Alexander Dennis, did little to help the marketing of such an unusual vehicle. The only remaining examples are now in service with private operator Far East Travel of Ipswich, and the rear-door is very rarely used.
A diesel-electric hybrid
Hybrid vehicle
A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle. The term most commonly refers to hybrid electric vehicles , which combine an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors.-Power:...
was also offered in the form of the Enviro200H with battery packs stored on the roof and looked certain to enter TfL
Transport for London
Transport for London is the local government body responsible for most aspects of the transport system in Greater London in England. Its role is to implement the transport strategy and to manage transport services across London...
trials, though the collapse of TransBus paved the way for the competing Wright Electrocity
Wright Electrocity
The Wright Electrocity is a type of hybrid bus built by Wrightbus. There were originally two prototypes, one based on Dennis Dart SLF chassis and the other based on DAF SB120 chassis...
to win the order.
The Enviro200 Dart
On 20 March 2006 Alexander Dennis announced the replacement for its best selling Pointer Dart range, to be known as the Enviro200 Dart, with the vehicle being launched at a media event at the Alexander Dennis factory in GuildfordGuildford
Guildford is the county town of Surrey. England, as well as the seat for the borough of Guildford and the administrative headquarters of the South East England region...
in August of that year.
It retains the conventional rear-engined layout of the Dart and offers the same seating capacity of the Pointer, but with more 'fixed' seats rather than 'tip up' for each length. The Enviro200 Dart chassis is also available with East Lancs
East Lancashire Coachbuilders
East Lancashire Coachbuilders Limited was a manufacturer of bus bodies and carriages founded in 1934 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.In 1994 the company expanded in to new premises and commenced a programme of development that resulted in a range of single and double deck buses which was the...
and MCV
MCV Bus and Coach
MCV Bus and Coach is a British manufacturer of bus bodies founded in late 2002 after buying the assets of defunct bus builder Marshall Bus who closed down in the summer of that year...
bodywork. And the body of Enviro200 Dart became available on MAN 14.240 chassis since 2007.
The Enviro200 Dart is now referred to simply as the "Alexander Dennis Enviro200", creating confusion between the two models.