System specialist supports electrification of London transport

Steering system specialist, Pailton Engineering has designed and manufactured steering system components for British bus manufacturer Optare, enabling the delivery of 37 new electric double-decker buses for the London-based public transport operator Tower Transit. The steering parts were used in the Metrodecker EV, the lightest double decker in its class, and one that is proving popular with local authorities.

This is the third major order of the high-spec electric bus model that Tower Transit has made in the last year. With this rate of adoption, the bus manufacturer expects a total of 100 units of the Metrodecker will be in operation by the end of 2020. Transport for London will use the latest haul of vehicles to cover routes 23 and C3 in the capital city. Both routes will launch in the third quarter of 2020.

The operator is hopeful to gain further EV routes across the city in the future, putting more Metrodecker EVs to good use. The latest order of 37 vehicles will save more than 1,800 tonnes in greenhouse gas emissions each year, versus the standard alternatives.

“Transport for London aims to electrify all double-decker buses in London by the end of this year,” explained Roger Brereton, head of sales at Pailton Engineering. “The Metrodecker EV will play its role in this mission, as the world’s first zero emission double decker bus.

“We’ve applied our design flexible ethos to this project, ensuring Optare had all the bespoke design options required to create some of the best electric vehicles on the market. The steering system parts have been expertly designed, specifically for this vehicle model.”

Like the other vehicles in the Optare family, the Metrodecker has a fully integral frame.  This low floor vehicle seats over 80 and has exceptional standing capacity.

“The partnership with Tower Transit has been developed through the tender process and we are now working closely together to deliver the customer’s specification,” explained Graham Belgum, CEO of Optare. “This commitment is testament to the capability of the vehicle. We look forward to a successful roll out later this year.”

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