Dennis Dart

The Dennis Dart is a rear-engined single-decker midibus chassis that was introduced by Dennis of Guildford, England in 1989, replacing the Dennis Domino. Initially built as a high-floor design, in 1996 the low-floor second generation Dennis Dart SLF was launched. In 2001, production of the Dart SLF passed to TransBus International, during which time it was sold as the TransBus Dart SLF; Alexander Dennis took over production in 2004, renaming the product as the Alexander Dennis Dart SLF.

Dennis Dart
Thames Travel Plaxton Pointer 2 bodied Dennis Dart MPD
Overview
Manufacturer
Production1989–2008
Body and chassis
Doors1 or 2
Floor type
Powertrain
Engine
Capacity23−44 seated
Transmission
Dimensions
Length
  • Dart: 8.5 m (28 ft), 9.0 m (29.5 ft), 9.8 m (32 ft)
  • Dart SLF:8.8 m (29 ft),9.2 m (30 ft), 9.3 m (31 ft), 10.0 m (32.8 ft), 10.1 m (33 ft), 10.6 m (35 ft), 10.7 m (35 ft), 11.3 m (37 ft)
Width2.3 m (7 ft 7 in), 2.4 m (7 ft 10 in) or 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
Chronology
Predecessor
SuccessorAlexander Dennis Enviro200

More than 12,600 Darts were produced in total during a 19-year production run. Most were purchased by United Kingdom operators, although examples were sold in Europe, North America, Australia and Hong Kong. In the United States, the Dart SLF, with Alexander ALX200 bodywork, was built and sold by Thomas Built Buses as the Thomas SLF 200.

The first generation Dart ceased production in 1998. Production of the Dart SLF continued until 2008, when it was replaced by the Alexander Dennis Enviro200.

First generation (high-floor)
Arriva North West & Wales early (1989) Duple Dartline bodied Dennis Dart in Crewe

The Dennis Dart was conceived when Hestair Group (owner of Dennis and Duple) decided to produce a bus between a minibus and a full-sized single-decker.

It was launched in October 1988 at the British International Motor Show and was originally only available with Duple Dartline bodywork.[1] It was 2.3 m (7 ft 7 in) wide and was initially available in the length of 9.0 m (29.5 ft), but later available in lengths of 8.5 m (28 ft) and 9.8 m (32 ft). It was powered by a Cummins 6BT engine and coupled to the Allison AT545 gearbox.[2][3][4]

In 1989 the Dart chassis was made available for bodying by other manufacturers.[5] In 1990, Wadham Stringer became the next builder to body the Dart with a body called the Portsdown, but it was sold in small numbers and replaced by the UVG Urbanstar in 1995.[6] In the same year, Wright bodied the Dart with the Handybus.[7] In early 1991, Plaxton launched the Pointer (which was initially designated as Reeve Burgess Pointer as it was built at Reeve Burgess's plant, until later in the same year when it was transferred to Plaxton's Scarborough plant).[8] Later in 1991, East Lancs bodied the Dart with its EL2000.[9] In the latter half of 1991, Alexander launched the Dash.

As the low-floor single-decker buses became more popular in late 1990s, orders for standard-floor Dart dropped heavily and production ceased in 1998. Over 3,400 first generation Darts were produced.[4][10][11]

Alternative fuels
Dennis Dart 9SDL Carlyle Ecobus

In 1993, Southampton Citybus adapted six Dart 9SDL Carlyle bodied buses to use compressed natural gas, the cylinders being mounted in a pod on the roof. In 1996 a further 10 adapted vehicles were ordered.[12] At the time of the delivery of the Darts, Southampton Citybus were the largest operator of gas-powered vehicles in the United Kingdom.[13] They were fitted with an engine developed in the United States by Cummins and Westport.[14]

First Cityline in Bristol trialled a pair of Plaxton Pointer bodied Dart MPDs in 1996, which were powered by six CNG canisters mounted on their roofs. These buses were branded by First as 'GasBus'.[15]

Second generation (Dart SLF)
Arriva Guildford & West Surrey Plaxton Pointer 1 bodied Dennis Dart SLF in 2009

In 1996, Dennis launched a low-floor version of the Dart known as the Dart SLF, with the letters SLF standing for Super Low Floor in reference to the new low-floor design.[4][11][16] It was 2.4 m (7 ft 10 in) wide and initially offered in lengths of 10 m (33 ft) and 10.6 m (35 ft), with air suspension introduced in place of the taper leaf used in the original design.

First Somerset & Avon East Lancs Spryte bodied Dennis Dart SLF in Bath in 2013

It was initially offered with the low floor version of the Pointer bodywork (which was notable for being wider), replaced by the updated Pointer 2 in 1997. It was also offered with a wide variety of bodies, namely the East Lancs Spryte, UVG Urbanstar (later renamed as the Caetano Compass; replaced by the Nimbus in 1999), the Wright Crusader, Alexander ALX200 (discontinued in 2001 with the formation of TransBus International and being replaced by the Pointer 2), Marshall Capital (developed from the C37; later built by MCV), Caetano Nimbus and MCV Evolution (since 2005 - a further evolution of the Marshall bodywork).

With the move to Euro III emissions in October 2001, the new Cummins ISBe engine was launched, with the four-cylinder 3.9-litre (240-cubic-inch)-litre model being used in all lengths except the 11.3 m (37 ft) version, which uses the more powerful six-cylinder, 5.9 L (360 cu in) version. The Cummins ISBe Euro IV engine became available on the Dart SLF chassis since late 2006. In 2007, the Dennis Dart SLF was superseded by the Alexander Dennis Enviro200.[17] Over 9,100 low floor Darts were built, the last entering service with Park Island Transport in March 2008.[18]

Dart SPD
Hedingham & Chambers Plaxton Pointer 2 bodied Alexander Dennis Dart SPD in 2016

In 1997, the Dart SPD (short for Super Pointer Dart) was launched with a length of 11.3 m (about the same length as a long Leyland National), typically seating 40 to 44 passengers.[16] The Dart SPD was launched to compete with full-size buses such as the Volvo B10BLE and Scania L94UB, while retaining the more lightweight construction of the basic Dart SLF. The Dart SPD has a more powerful engine and a more heavy duty Allison World Series B300R gearbox than the Dart SLF, but also with an option of a Voith gearbox. Originally offered only with Plaxton Pointer 2 bodywork (hence the 'P' in the name), this larger bus was later offered with other bodywork such as the East Lancs Myllennium, the Alexander ALX200 with a few bodied by Marshall.

Dart MPD
Bluebird Bus & Coach Plaxton Pointer 2 bodied Alexander Dennis Dart MPD in 2008

In 1998, the Dart MPD (short for Mini Pointer Dart) was launched. At 8.8 m (29 ft) long, the Dart MPD was a model reminiscent of the original 8.5 m (28 ft) Darts; it was launched to compete with newly emerging shorter midibuses such as the Optare Solo. The Dart MPD typically seated 23 to 29 passengers, and was available in both provincial and London specifications. As with the Dart SPD, the MPD was launched initially with only the Plaxton Pointer 2 bodywork, although other bodies became available later on.

Narrow width Dart SLF
Caetano Slimbus bodied narrow width Dart SLF in 2018

In 2002, TransBus launched a narrower-width variant of the Dart SLF at the request of bus operators in the Channel Islands of Guernsey and then Jersey, who replaced the majority of their fleets with slightly narrower Darts designed to comply with the islands' vehicle size restrictions, sporting adapted versions of existing East Lancs Myllennium and Caetano Nimbus bodies respectively. Further examples have since joined them and small numbers of similar buses have entered service with other operators around the UK. Gibraltar also has a fleet of these narrower buses. The last ones entered service in summer 2007 in Gibraltar.

Thomas SLF 200

In 1998, a joint venture was formed between Dennis and Thomas Built Buses to build the Dennis Dart SLF with Alexander ALX200 bodywork for the North American market. Initially sold as the Thomas SLF 200, following a restructure by parent company Daimler Truck North America, it was sold as the DaimlerChrysler SLF 200.[14][19][20]

It was launched at the American Public Transportation Association Expo 1999. Initially built with a Cummins engine, it was later sold with a Mercedes-Benz engine. After sales failed to line up to expectations, the joint venture was dissolved in 2003.[14]

Exports
ACTION Wright Crusader bodied Dennis Dart SLF in Canberra in 2009

Although primarily sold in the United Kingdom, some were sold overseas:

Australia

In Australia, ACTION of Canberra took delivery of 25 Wright Crusader bodied Dennis Dart SLFs in 1997,[21][22][23] Brisbane Bus Lines (3),[24] Invicta Bus Services (27),[25][26] TransAdelaide (2)[27] and Transperth (2)[28] purchased Darts.

Canada

In British Columbia, BC Transit took delivery of 90 Dart SLFs with Plaxton Pointer 2 bodies from 1999 to 2001 for services in the resort municipality of Whistler and its other transit system companies in the province.[14]

Hong Kong & Macau
Park Island Transport Plaxton Pointer 2 bodied TransBus Dart SLF in Kwai Fong in 2015

In Hong Kong, Citybus, Kowloon Motor Bus, New Lantao Bus, New World First Bus and Park Island Transport purchased Darts. Some of Citybus vehicles were repatriated back to England by parent Stagecoach Group for use at its Devon and Hampshire subsidiaries.[29][30]

In Macau, Transmac took delivery of ten dual-door and air-conditioned Pointer-bodied Darts in January 1996.[31]

Malta

Four Dennis Dart SLFs with Eaton six-speed manual transmissions were delivered to Paramount Garage of Malta in 1997. The first two Darts were delivered with a 10.6 metres (35 ft) East Lancs Spryte body equipped with large hopper windows and electronically-operated sun visors, while the remaining two were later delivered with Plaxton Pointer bodies.[32][33]

A Transbus Dart SLF built with Neobus bodywork was delivered to Malta in 2002 by Gasan Transport Systems Ltd and presented to members of the Maltese Public Transport Association.[34] A second demonstrator was built by Transbus but was not exported to Malta, later entering service in the United Kingdom with Flimwell independent operator Hams Travel.

Netherlands

Arriva Netherlands purchased 50 Darts with Alexander ALX200 bodies.[11]

Portugal

Stagecoach Group had 10 Dart SLFs bodied locally in 1999 for its Portuguese subsidiary in Lisbon.[18]

Singapore

In Singapore, Singapore Bus Service purchased 10 Duple Metsec bodied Darts in 1994 for smaller routes (M1, M2, M4 and 183)..

References
  1. Major Show 88 Commercial Motor 27 October 1988
  2. Hestair Duple and Dennis Specialist Vehicles have released more information on their new midibus, the Dart Commercial Motor 22 September 1988
  3. Dennis launches darts Commercial Motor 13 July 1989
  4. 25 Years Ago: The birth of the Dennis Dart Buses issue 714 September 2014 page 22
  5. Dart dialogue Commercial Motor 14 December 1989
  6. "Wadham low-floor midi". Commercial Motor. Temple Press. 19 April 1990. p. 19. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  7. "Wright midi boosts jobs". Commercial Motor. Temple Press. 1 November 1990. p. 20. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  8. "RB Dart body on target". Commercial Motor. Temple Press. 16 August 1990. p. 19. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  9. East Lancs set to build on Dart chassis Commercial Motor 16 May 1991
  10. The Model Page Bus & Coach Preservation May 2017 page 58
  11. Britain's Buses (6 ed.). Key Publishing. 2021. pp. 17, 90, 108. ISBN 978 1 802820 096.
  12. Jenkins, David (18 January 2023). "A long slow battle". Buses. No. 815. Stamford: Key Publishing. pp. 30–34. Retrieved 18 June 2023. Citybus became a pioneer of gas bus operation, in an EU-funded joint project with local councils. Branded as Ecobus, it launched in 1994 with the conversion of six existing Dennis Darts in the fleet. Joined by 10 new ones delivered in 1996, it made Citybus the largest operator of gas buses at that time. They lasted for around 10 years.
  13. Harrison, Michael (29 January 1997). "Southampton busmen set to cash in". The Independent. London. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  14. Goundry, Andy (23 March 2020). Dennis Buses and Other Vehicles. Crowood Press. pp. 134, 146. ISBN 978-1-78500-708-8. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  15. Morgan, Mike (13 January 1996). "UK gets first purpose-built gas bus". Coach & Bus Week. No. 200. Peterborough: Emap. p. 8.
  16. The History of Alexander Dennis Alexander Dennis
  17. Alexander Dennis reveals Enviro200 Dart Bus & Coach Professional 20 March 2006
  18. Darting around Lancashire Buses issue 793 April 2021
  19. Thomas SLF 200 Thomas Built Buses
  20. DaimlerChrysler SLF 200 Thomas Built Buses
  21. Low-Floor Buses Fleetline issue 247 July 1997 page 132
  22. "Crusaders for Australia". Bus & Coach Buyer. No. 402. Spalding: Glen-Holland Limited. 28 March 1997.
  23. "Wright Buses for Canberra". Bus & Coach Buyer. No. 403. Spalding: Glen-Holland Limited. 4 April 1997. p. 2. Further to last week's story about the order from Action Bus of Canberra, Australia for Wright Crusader low floor midibuses on Dennis Dart SLF chassis, Wright's has informed us that the current order is for 25 buses worth £1.5 million.
  24. A Friendly Dart Truck & Bus Transportation July 1997 page 150
  25. Invicta Sells to Grenda Australian Bus Panorama issue 24/5 March 2009 page 12
  26. Melbourne's TeleBus: a pioneer of on-demand services Australian Bus issue 98 March 2020 page 20
  27. Dennis Buses in Adelaide Transit Australia June 1997 page 138
  28. Transperth News Rattler issue 399 January 2006 page 6
  29. Dart regains its Hong Kong look Buses issue 775 October 2019 page 67
  30. Far East Pointer Darts Buses issue 784 July 2020 pages 44/45
  31. "On target for Macao". Coach & Bus Week. No. 215. Peterborough: Emap. 27 April 1996. p. 32.
  32. "First manual Darts for Malta". Bus & Coach Buyer. No. 394. Spalding: Glen-Holland Limited. 31 January 1997. p. 9.
  33. Jones, Stuart (7 March 1997). "UK built low floor buses for overseas markets". Bus & Coach Buyer. No. 399. Spalding: Glen-Holland Limited. p. 17.
  34. "Bus made for Malta launched". Times of Malta. 9 August 2002. Retrieved 12 September 2023.

Further reading
  • Beddall, David (2019). The London Dennis Dart and Dart SLF. Pen & Sword. ISBN 9781445687520.

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