Alexander Dennis Enviro300

The Alexander Dennis Enviro300 (previously known as the TransBus Enviro300) is a light-weight full-size single-decker bus that was built by Alexander Dennis and its predecessor TransBus International between 2001 and 2015. The design was the first of the new Enviro range of buses from TransBus and also the first bus to be built as an integral bus by TransBus.

Alexander Dennis Enviro300
Buses of Somerset second generation Alexander Dennis Enviro300 in Minehead in May 2018
Overview
ManufacturerAlexander Dennis
Production2001–2008 (1st generation)
2007–2015 (2nd generation)
AssemblyFalkirk, Scotland
Body and chassis
Doors1
Floor typeLow floor
Low entry
ChassisAlexander Dennis Enviro300
MAN 18.240 and 18.250
Volvo B7RLE
Scania K230UB
RelatedEnviro200, Enviro400, Enviro500
Powertrain
EngineCummins ISBe (Enviro 300/MAN 18.240 retrofits)
MAN D0836 (MAN 18.240)
Volvo D7E (Volvo B7RLE)
Scania DC9/OC9 (Scania K230UB)
Capacity43 to 80 seated
Power output185–250 hp (136–184 kW)
TransmissionZF Ecomat/EcoLife
Voith DIWA
Allison
Dimensions
Length11.8–12.8 m (38 ft 9 in – 42 ft 0 in)
Width2.54 m (8 ft 4 in)
Curb weight14.4–18 t (14.2–17.7 long tons; 15.9–19.8 short tons)
Chronology
PredecessorBody: Alexander ALX300
Chassis: Dennis Lance
SuccessorAlexander Dennis Enviro200 MMC

The Enviro300 was introduced in order to fill a gap in the manufacturer's product range. At the beginning the Cummins ISBe220 5.9-litre Euro III engine was provided as standard, but for Euro IV and V, the engine was the 6.7-litre ISBe with 225 hp for Euro IV and 225 or 250 hp for Euro V. There was a choice of 3 gearboxes: ZF Ecomat (originally 5HP502C, then 6HP504C), Allison T280R and Voith DIWA 854.5 (originally DIWA854.3E). The second generation Enviro300, with front end redesigned to match the Enviro200 and Enviro400, was launched in 2007.

Production of the Enviro300 ceased in 2015 with the introduction of a long-wheelbase Enviro200 MMC. More than 1,000 complete buses were produced.[1]

First generation (2001–2008)
First Midland Red first generation Transbus Enviro300 in September 2005
Travel Surrey first generation Transbus Enviro300 rear in October 2008

The TransBus Enviro300 was launched in 2001 by TransBus International, becoming the first member of the Enviro range; with the collapse of TransBus in 2004, successors Alexander Dennis took over production and rebranded the Enviro300 as the Alexander Dennis Enviro300.[2][3] In 2005, a school bus version was launched.[4]

A common design was used primarily that the bus has a single-curvature windscreen with a peaked roof dome and a separately mounted destination sign. The bus was developed to compete with the European-built heavy-weight single-decker buses sold in the United Kingdom, the most notable being Volvo. Many full-size (12m or more) single-decker buses are primarily designed for use on the continent and to carry a large number of standing passengers which is commonplace on the continent, but the Enviro300 was designed solely for the UK market where large numbers of standing passengers are not often carried. TransBus therefore believed that operators could make significant fuel savings by operating light-weight buses and produced a vehicle which is claimed to be lighter than its continental rivals but offer more seating capacity.

The Enviro300 had not sold as well as the manufacturer had hoped, though sales were not helped by the collapse of TransBus International in 2004. First Midland Red purchased 35.[5] Arriva purchased at least 40.[6][7] A small number of original style Enviro300s were sold to Stagecoach Group, Cardiff Bus and Bus Éireann.

The Enviro300 chassis was also able to be fitted with bodywork by other manufacturers, with Courtney Coaches purchasing East Lancs Esteem bodied examples in 2006. This was the first time the Enviro300 chassis being constructed with bodywork by another manufacturer.[8]

Second generation (2007–2015)
Stagecoach West second generation Enviro300-bodied MAN 18.240 in October 2008
Stagecoach West second generation Enviro300-bodied MAN 18.240 in October 2008

In late 2007 Alexander Dennis introduced a second generation version of Enviro300 which featured styling cues similar to the Enviro200 Dart and the Enviro400. It had a single-piece windscreen covering the destination display (no longer a peaked roof dome similar to the Marshall Capital and the MCV Stirling). It was also available on MAN 18.240/18.250 and Volvo B7RLE chassis.[9][10] The second generation Enviro300 was far more successful sales wise than its predecessor, with Arriva, FirstGroup and Stagecoach purchasing examples.[11]

Stagecoach ordered 100 Enviro300 bodied MAN 18.240s in 2007,[12] with the first eight production Enviro300s entering service with Stagecoach in Perth to launch the Stagecoach Goldline bus service in October 2007.[13] Further orders boosted the total number of Enviro300s operated by Stagecoach Group companies to over 350. In mid-2008 Ulsterbus ordered 45 Enviro300 bodied Volvo B7RLEs, which were the first to feature Volvo chassis since the introduction of this option, they were also built to a rural specification featuring unusual modifications such as narrower entrance doors, side wheelchair access door and 55 seatbelted seats in the form of 2+3 layout.[14]

In January 2011, Stagecoach placed an order for 50 Enviro300s on the diesel-powered Scania K230UB chassis. These were followed by further 28 examples in 2012/13[15] and 28 in 2014/15.[16]

In April 2013 Reading Buses took delivery of 20 gas-powered Enviro300SG buses based again on a Scania K UB chassis.[17][18][19] These buses were jointly developed by Alexander Dennis and Scania, who had a demonstrator on loan to other operators from March 2013.[20][21][22] Stagecoach North East purchased 40 Scania K270UBs in 2014.[23]

Production of the Enviro300 ceased in late 2015 with the introduction of a long-wheelbase variant of the new Enviro200 MMC. The final Enviro300s were delivered to Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire in December 2015.

In the UK in 2019, DVSA (Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency) issued an instruction to all operators of the Enviro 300 to carry out additional safety checks of suspension components following several safety concerns raised by DVSA. ADL are expected to implement a number of technical measures and recalls to resolve these issues.[24]

References
  1. "Bus Lists on the Web - List".
  2. Our History Alexander Dennis
  3. News from Coach and Bus 2003 Archived 29 July 2018 at the Wayback Machine Bus & Coach Professional 10 October 2003
  4. ADL schoolbus on tour Archived 29 July 2018 at the Wayback Machine Bus & Coach Professional 27 May 2005
  5. Alexander Dennis Enviro300 MidlandRed.net
  6. wins big share of £63 million Arriva order Bus & Coach Professional 19 June 2008
  7. places £70 million orderBus & Coach Professional 20 November 2008
  8. "Fleet News" Buses issue 618 September 2006 page 46
  9. ADL makes new links with MAN and Scania Archived 29 July 2018 at the Wayback Machine Bus & Coach Professional 30 January 2007
  10. Alexander Dennis Enviro 300 on ADL, MAN or Volvo Chassis Busworld 7 January 2008
  11. Multi-million pound Enviro 300 bus order from First Glasgow Transport Engineer 16 May 2013
  12. Stagecoach orders 444 new buses Archived 29 July 2018 at the Wayback Machine Bus & Coach Professional 28 February 2007
  13. "New-look Enviro for Stagecoach Goldline route". Bus & Coach Professional. 31 October 2007. Archived from the original on 5 November 2007. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  14. Translink UK Buses
  15. "Archived item". Archived from the original on 10 October 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2014. Stagecoach bus orders for 2012/13 financial year
  16. http://www.stagecoach.com/media/news-releases/2014/2014-03-03.aspx Stagecoach bus orders for 2014/15 financial year
  17. Reading Buses places major order for 19ADL Enviro300 Scania gas-powered buses Intelligent Transport 29 August 2012
  18. "The UK's first Scania-ADL gas-powered buses delivered to Reading Buses". Scania (Great Britain). Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  19. Scania/ADL gas buses arrive in Reading Archived 29 July 2018 at the Wayback Machine Bus & Coach Professional 26 April 2013
  20. "Scania-ADL gas-powered demonstrator nears completion". Scania (Great Britain). Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  21. "Scania-ADL gas-powered demonstrator takes to the road". Scania (Great Britain). Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  22. Scania-ADL set to launch has-powered demonstrator vehicle Coach & Bus Week 6 March 2013
  23. Stagecoach launches gas fleet in Sunderland Bus & Coach Buyer 26 February 2014
  24. "Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) buses: safety concerns". GOV.UK. Retrieved 10 May 2019.

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