By ALAN MILLAR
Feature
Reinvented as the UK’s first all-new battery electric double-decker, a MetroDecker designed for London went into trial service in York in mid-August, shortly before the city won government funding to electrify its entire park-&-ride service. ALAN MILLAR reports on what Optare hopes will bring its first order for a vehicle launched over three years ago as a diesel and now apparently ahead of competitors.
Numbered 39500 for its stay with First, MetroDecker EV demonstrator YJ17 FXX operated on two of York’s park-&-ride services including the 3 between the city centre and Askham Bar. As it is designed for operation in London, the powered wheelchair ramp is in the centre doorway.
STEPHEN WHITELEY
The first passengers to experience the MetroDecker EV in service queue to board it on route 9 at Monks Cross park-&-ride.
Optare’s return to the doubledeck market has been painfully slow, but it looks like its faith in its integral MetroDecker as an all-electric vehicle may finally be rewarded with an order that could put a double figure quantity into service in York.
