The trial was conducted on three high frequency Red Arrow services around Halifax.
Mark Munday, technical director at First Bus, says testing vehicles is part of the operator’s “rigorous” approach to evaluating and procuring new buses.
“The trial of the Metrocity builds on the work we started last year with Optare, which included a comprehensive assessment of the Metrodecker,” says Munday. “After the success of the Metrodecker trial, we were particularly keen to evaluate the Metrocity and gain passenger and driver feedback.It has performed really well and it is great to see more Low Carbon certified buses being made available to benefit the environment.”
Robert Drewery, Optare’s commercial director, says expectations were high for the Metrocity and it didn’t disappoint: “The Euro 6 vehicle … met or exceeded competitive benchmarks throughout the assessment. Feedback from drivers and customers has been extremely positive, particularly around the driveability, smooth ride and the comfort of the vehicle.”
The Metrocity is a lightweight, low floor, single-decker with an integral frame, and it boasts both impressive fuel economy and seating capacity. Available in three lengths (10.1m, 10.8m and 11.5m) with a single door, the 10.1m and 10.8m versions are also available in a two-door TfL specification, both as a Euro 6 diesel and as an electric bus.
The Metrocity will shortly begin another in-service trial with First Hampshire & Dorset.