Arriva is first to order MAN Ecocity gas engine buses 30 March 2012

MAN Truck & Bus UK has secured its first order for its EcoCity gas-engined bus from Arriva.

No fewer than 21 vehicles will go into service in Runcorn and Darlington. The order follows last week's DfT announcement of additional investment in the Green Bus Fund.

MAN EcoCity was designed and constructed for the UK market, and MAN claims potential operating cost savings of some 30%, with the ability to run on the UK's building bio-gas infrastructure – and reducing emissions to zero.

The buses are equipped with E2876 LUH 04 (EEV) engines matched to ZF automatic 6 AP 1200 Ecolife gearbox with integrated retarder, and emission control: provided by three-way catalytic converters.

Power output is 272bhp and maximum torque 1,050Nm. Four aluminium composite canisters provide for fuel storage on board.

"Naturally, we are delighted to have secured what we hope is the first of many orders for our MAN EcoCity," comments Tony Griffiths, general manager for bus operations at MAN Truck & Bus UK.

"To receive the order for such a significant quantity of chassis, and from such a high-profile operator, is justification for all the hard work we, and the Gas Bus Alliance, have put in over the last 24 months," he continues.

"Last week's Green Bus Fund announcement provides us with even more incentive to market MAN EcoCity. This cash injection from the DfT is designed to promote growth among low-carbon operators, and MAN can provide the vehicle 'off the shelf'."

Griffiths explains that a key part of the gas bus programme's development has been MAN's partnership with the Gas Bus Alliance, which is able to establish hitherto difficult gas infrastructure, offering operators a free initial set-up with the costs built into ongoing gas prices.

Author
Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Arriva Midlands Ltd
MAN Truck & Bus UK Ltd

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