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 Europe.
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.
Read more about this topic: Trans Bus Enviro200
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